10 Most Intense Aerial Dogfights In War Movies
1. I Feel The Need... - Top Gun
This list would be incomplete without an entry from one of the genre's most iconic films. The 1986 Tom Cruise/Val Kilmer action vehicle features the genre's most well-crafted aerial stuntwork and cinematography as well as wonderful performances from its leads as well as a refreshing sense of fun seen in blockbusters of its era.
The film's craftsmanship can be seen in its final dogfight between the film's protagonists and 6 Soviet MiG jets in a tense sequence that places Maverick and his team in immediate peril due to their numerical disadvantage. The sequence features director Tony's Scott's striking visual palette, ensuring that the jets stand out against the sky as well as dynamic shot selection, seamless practical effects, and immersive sound design that sell the speed and power of the jets in action.
The sequence also plays a role in cementing the friendship between Maverick and Iceman, transforming their antagonism towards each other into a camaraderie based on respect and trust