Netflix continues to stream one of Val Kilmer’s standout performances that solidified his reputation as a leading man in Hollywood during the 80s.
Kilmer, an actor celebrated for his dynamic presence in numerous iconic films throughout the 80s and 90s, has tragically passed away at 65 due to pneumonia on Tuesday, 1st April, following a courageous two-year battle with throat cancer.
Kilmer’s illustrious career took off after his role in the 1984 comedy Top Secret!, paving the way for memorable appearances in hits like Willow, The Doors, Tombstone, Heat, and Batman Forever.
Yet, nearly four decades on, his portrayal of Lt. Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky in the 1986 blockbuster Top Gun, alongside Tom Cruise, remains a defining moment for many cinema enthusiasts.
In Top Gun, directed by Tony Scott, Kilmer plays the formidable rival pilot to Cruise’s Lt. Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell, their intense rivalry at the elite Top Gun Navy training program culminating in a forced collaboration during a critical mission.
The adrenaline-fueled classic is currently available on Netflix, offering fans a chance to honour the late star’s legacy.
One Letterboxd user raved about Top Gun, calling it “Equally 20 years ahead of its time and also completely embodying the 80s, thrilling, romantic, memorable, take your f***ing breath away,” in a glowing five-star review.
Another ardent admirer commented: “I just love how this movie screams 80’s in almost every scene. It was just perfect.
“Tom Cruise had a blast doing this, it’s so obvious in his face. I have never seen Tom laughing this much in a movie. His character’s relationship with Goose and Charlie were great.
“The tempting romance was so much fun. Kelly McGillis was amazing. Val Kilmer was terrific as Ice Man, such an iconic role.”
One heartfelt reviewer shared their touching experience of discovering Kilmer’s performances by watching Top Gun for the very first time.
“Since the first time ever seeing Val on screen in Top Gun, which I watched in 2022, I fell in love with him, in love with his talent, his beauty, his smile, his charm everything about him made him so loveable,” they disclosed.
“I loved him so easily and so fast that soon after I would binge his movies with the feeling that I would never get sick of him or them.
“I was seated for anything he was in and knew that no matter if I enjoyed the film or not I knew that Val was in it so at least there was one good thing about it and it was all worth it for him.”
IndieWire summed up the role perfectly in their ranking of Kilmer’s best performances, writing: “Of course an actor as handsome as Kilmer was bound to play the role of a caddish, a**hole jock at some point.
“Still, few actors have played that archetype as iconically, or as well, as he does in Top Gun, the film that truly cemented Kilmer as a movie star.
“As Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky, he’s the perfect foil to Tom Cruise’s reckless Maverick, cool and unflappable and a little arrogant but with a well-meaning heart that dethaws over time.
“When the two finally make up at the end of Tony Scott’s blockbuster, it’s Kilmer’s iconic delivery of ‘You can be my wingman anytime’ that makes it such a fist-pump, hell yeah moment.”
Cruise, Kilmer’s Top Gun co-star, recently paid tribute to the late actor at CinemaCon, requesting a moment of silence. “I think it would be really nice if we could have a moment together because he loved movies and he gave a lot to all of us,” he said.
“Just kind of think about all the wonderful times that we had with him.”
In 2022, Kilmer made a touching return as Iceman in a cameo for the critically acclaimed sequel, Top Gun: Maverick.
Regrettably, the eagerly anticipated sequel is not available for streaming in the UK, but American movie enthusiasts can catch it on Paramount+.
Top Gun is available to stream on Netflix.