Val Kilmer’s Hilarious Debut: The Action Comedy That Still Delivers Laughs!

Kilmer kicked off his acting career with leading roles in two films prior to his iconic appearance in the 1980s blockbuster Top Gun, which solidified his place among Hollywood’s elite. Interestingly, these early films were comedies, a genre that Kilmer seldom explored post-Top Gun. However, he proved to be exceptionally fitting for this genre. Notably, the 1984 film Top Secret!, his debut, showcased his innate talent for acting, indicating that he was destined for the silver screen.

I had the pleasure of enjoying “Top Secret!”, an under-the-radar masterpiece from the brilliant minds of directors Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker – the geniuses who revolutionized slapstick comedy. This film maintains their signature everything-and-the-kitchen-sink approach to humor, but with a fresh, unique plotline that’s just as laugh-out-loud funny.

In this movie, Val Kilmer shines brightly in the leading role, delivering one of his most memorable performances – an accolade even more impressive because it was his debut on the silver screen.

Top Secret! Comes From a Trio of Comic Geniuses

The Same Team Delivered the Classic Comedy Airplane!

In many instances, comedies as clever as “Airplane!” have managed to endure beyond the satirical genre they initially depicted. The film’s creators later produced the short-lived TV series “Police Squad!“, which aired for just six episodes but continued to thrive through spin-off movies. Similarly, “Top Secret!” experienced modest box office success upon release, but over time has been rediscovered and appreciated by fans.

Unlike “Airplane!” or “The Naked Gun,” this film combines elements from two distinct genres: World War II spy films and Elvis Presley-style musicals. The humor is often over-the-top, with scenes like the protagonist having to prove he’s not Mel Tormé or face being shot as a traitor. Similarly to “Airplane!,” the plot follows a similar pattern where reality takes a backseat to comedy, allowing for unexpected events that elicit laughter. The fast pace of the jokes works in much the same way as their other films, resulting in an experience that’s reminiscent of…

In essence, the narrative unfolds with Nick Rivers, a renowned pop star portrayed by Kilmer, journeying to Communist East Germany for a cultural event. However, things take an unexpected turn when he gets caught up in a clandestine military scheme aiming to consolidate power over the nation. This intricate plan involves the abducted scientist’s daughter, a fugitive British agent, and the enigmatic French Resistance, whose existence within Communist East Germany remains unexplained yet intriguing. The storyline progresses in a lighthearted manner as Rivers encounters a young woman in a restaurant, leading to a whirlwind of romantic complications set against a vibrant backdrop.

Amidst dodging undercover agents and devising cunning escapes, he serenades crowds of overly enthusiastic teenage fans, all while thwarting his romantic adversary, who surprisingly is a skunk. The movie Top Secret! sets a humorous tone right away by juxtaposing its dance-loving protagonist with the backdrop of political intrigue. It’s nothing but whimsical humor, as the plot serves merely as a vehicle for delivering every type of joke possible, from visual gags using forced perspective to an innovative approach mimicking the Swedish language.

In this movie, logic isn’t essential; instead, laughter takes center stage and guides the storyline smoothly. Interestingly, it avoids making jokes about current events for the most part, but occasionally dabbles, and some of these jokes might be controversial. However, the majority of the humor remains timeless, much like “Airplane!”, which has withstood the test of time far better than many of its counterparts. You don’t need to know anything about Elvis Presley or even watch cop shows to have a great time with it, any more than you need to understand terrible cop shows to enjoy “The Naked Gun.

Val Kilmer Makes Top Secret! Work

The Slapstick Humor Needs a Strong Lead

In a 2014 interview with [the specified publication], the directors and lead actor spoke about Val Kilmer’s casting in the main role. Prior to this, he had only worked on stage, and was performing in a play titled “Slab Boys” when they discovered him. Abrahams remembers that during his audition, he sang an Elvis song by heart and demonstrated dance moves mimicking the King. He took the part very earnestly, developing a character and striving to embody him in a nonsensical world. As they all agreed, it led to some difficult days on set. Nevertheless, it served as the ideal focus of the film. It’s safe to say that the entire production might have unraveled without his involvement.

In my opinion, Kilmer masterfully captures the screen with a casual charm and humble self-assurance that perfectly echoes the essence of Elvis. He skillfully infuses the character with sufficient traces of the King’s on-screen persona without slipping into an over-the-top imitation. The songs play a significant role in this, one of them being a clever parody of “Are You Lonesome Tonight?”, but Kilmer’s intuitive acting gives birth to a distinctive character that passes the authenticity test. His portrayal of Nick is brave yet somewhat dim-witted, and his occasional wink towards the camera serves as a playful reminder that we’re all just having fun – a trick that Presley could pull off effortlessly in his sleep.

In the film, much like the monarch, Kilmer sings all of its dozen songs himself, which was an ability he didn’t often get to showcase in his acting career. These songs are clever parodies not just of Presley’s tunes but also of the light-hearted music typical of 1960s beach movies. Although it may have made some filming tricky, Kilmer’s dedication to portraying Rivers effectively serves as a relatable stand-in for the audience.

According to their statements, the remainder of the movie is complete mayhem. Kilmer’s comedic delivery is brilliantly sharp, mirroring the audience’s confusion in the face of this mad world. The humor remains grounded, the plot thickens just enough to keep things moving, and the idea of Elvis Presley swaggering through Europe during wartime makes a powerful impact. In numerous aspects, Top Secret! matches up to the greatness of Airplane!.

Kilmer’s Performance in Top Secret! Sets the Stage for His Career

Shades of Future Performances Can Be Seen in This One

Kilmer’s performance, not just the act itself, is a testament to the caliber of actor he was destined to be. He seldom revisited straightforward comedy after Real Genius, but his knack for humor consistently shone through in even the most serious roles. This is evident in some of his most acclaimed performances, such as which might have lacked its unique charm without the same dry wit he demonstrated in Top Secret!

His musical talents resurfaced in both the lesser-known animated film, in which he voiced Moses and also portrayed Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s biopic The Doors. He even made a brief appearance as Elvis in Tony Scott’s True Romance. Top Secret! offers two unique sequences: one shot in reverse and another underwater fistfight, which are surprisingly more compelling than many of his action films and suspenseful movies.

In this movie, the actor’s skills are clearly showcased throughout, amidst various absurd French names and corny dog-poop jokes. Kilmer skillfully handles his role, preventing the diverse elements from unraveling. Although Real Genius provided him a more substantial plotline, it was less reliant on him to succeed. In this film, the directors have essentially pinned their hopes on him. Despite Top Secret! not achieving the same box office success as Airplane!, it has remained just as enduring. A significant part of that durability can be attributed to the young actor they chose for the lead role, who, though he never revisited slapstick afterwards, was so impressive here that it wasn’t necessary.

Top Secret! is currently streaming free with ads on PlutoTV.

2025-04-19 06:15