Hot Shots! (1991)

About Hot Shots!

Hot Shots! is a 1991 American comedy film directed by Jim Abrahams, co-writer and co-director of Airplane!, and was written by Abrahams and Pat Proft. It features an ensemble cast, which includes Charlie Sheen, Cary Elwes, Valeria Golino, Lloyd Bridges, Jon Cryer, Kevin Dunn, Kristy Swanson, and Bill Irwin. The film primarily parodies 'Top Gun', with some scenes spoofing other popular movies such as 9½ Weeks, The Fabulous Baker Boys, Dances with Wolves, Marathon Man, Rocky, Superman and Gone with the Wind.

Making / Production

Hot Shots! was produced by Bill Badalato and Pat Proft and was shot in various locations in the United States. It was made under the production companies 20th Century Fox and 3 Arts Entertainment. The film used the same style of parody from Abrahams' previous films, Airplane! and The Naked Gun, using sight gags and puns to spoof the action genre.

Actors

• Charlie Sheen as Lt. Sean "Topper" Harley: Sheen played captivating and absurd in equal measure. His character was a parody of Tom Cruise's Maverick from 'Top Gun'.
• Cary Elwes as Lt. Kent Gregory: Elwes portrayed an elite fighter pilot, whose rivalry with Topper is one of the central conflicts in the film.
• Valeria Golino as Ramada Thompson: Ramada is Topper’s love interest, she was played by Valeria Golino who brought a quirky romanticism to the character and film.
• Lloyd Bridges as Admiral Thomas "Tug" Benson: Admiral Benson is the blathering and inept leader of the Navy pilots. Lloyd Bridges' performance added comedic brilliance to the movie's ensemble.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Lloyd Bridges' character of Admiral Benson is a parody of his role as Captain McCroskey in Airplane!.
• The film is considered a "spoof of spoilers," as it parodies many popular films of the time.
• During the production of Hot Shots!, actor Charlie Sheen was also working on Oliver Stone’s 'Platoon' and was juggling between the contrasting roles.

Awards

The film was nominated for a Saturn Award for Best DVD/Blu-ray Special Edition Release at the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films in 2015.

Quotes

• "I could no sooner quit drinking than I could quit breathing."
• "My father used to say that not playing to win is like sleeping with your sister. Sure she's a great piece of tail, with a blouse full of goodies, but... it's just illegal."
• "You can be my wingman any time!"

Music, Soundtrack

• The film's main theme "Hot Shots!" was composed by Sylvester Levay.
• "Only You (And You Alone)" performed by Louis Armstrong
• "I'm into Something Good" performed by Herman's Hermits
• "The Man I Love" performed by Billie Holiday