I remember re-watching with friends in my late teens, around 10 years after it was released? The consensus was it was a terrible movie, by people whose tastes were quite forgiving.
I don't know about "terrible" but definitely over-rated. Heck, I'm a private pilot and consider the F-14 aesthetically the best looking Western swing-wing. Still think it is over-rated.
Lets compare to "633 Squadron" - which is a terrible movie, but is also redeemed by great flying scenes (Mosquitoes) and a decent film score. As with the Top Gun score, Ron Goodwin will have his fans and detractors who think it is cliche. I'm probably more in the Goodwin camp.
As for the rest? Plot is a mission (633 does a bit better here, although the George Lucas remake is definitely better), and soapy unrealistic romantic stuff (Top Gun being more modern, even though HR would fire everyone in sight).
