> In the 1986 blockbuster movie Top Gun, what was the nickname of Tom Cruise'scharacter?And the answer is: Maverick.Top Gun tells the story of Lieutenant Pete Mitchell, a young naval pilot knownas "Maverick," who along with his friend "Goose" is given the honor of trainingat the U.S. Navy's Fighter Weapons School. The film won an Academy Award forBest Original Song for "Take My Breath Away."Critics didn't think much of the blockbuster movie, but audiences loved it. Atthe time of its release, Top Gun received a scathing 55% approval rate fromcritics. However, this 1986 blockbuster ended up as the highest grossing movieof the year, and even today (some thirty-four years later) the film continues topull significant annual revenue. At the time of its release, audiences were wowed by the strength of the film'svisual effects, especially as seen in intense aerial flight sequences. Cruise'srole was also extremely well received. Interestingly, the popular actor washesitant to accept the role at first. It took one ride with the Blue Angels forhim to change his mind. Did you know?The role of Maverick was written expressly for Cruise. His performance in Allthe Right Places inspired the writers to create the part around him.