Top Secret! (1984)reviewed by Benn "Where's the Humanity?" Farrell
"Top Secret!" is a spoof on the WWII spy film where an American rock n' roll singer named Nick Rivers, played by Val Kilmer (Mindhunters), gets caught up in a French resistance group who are trying to free a scientist from captivity in East Germany. The best part of this movie is of course the humor of the Zucker brothers (David and Jerry) and Jim Abrahams. It is right in the vein of I'll say "The Naked Gun" and "Hot Shots," rather than "Airplane." There is so much absolutely hilarious background comedy in this film, I found myself having to pay very close attention, fearing I was going to miss a gag. Kilmer is hilarious, not because he is funny in this movie, but because it's funny to see one of only two movies where he tried his hand at comedy during the 1980s. This and "Real Genius" were his only attempts. It's also fun to see a handful of recognizable faces in the supporting and walk on cast. However, the story of the picture is very week, unlike "The Naked Gun," "Hot Shots," "Airplane" and even "Rat Race," made by Jerry Zucker. The picture, being the year it was made, is also very primitive in cinematography, props and the like. It almost looks like someone tried to make a movie LIKE the Zuckers and Abrahams, but didn't have enough money to pull it off. However, with all the sight gags, you will definitely know it's a Z and A film. It just a looks a little awkward than unusual. I'm sure if you really like "Airplane," "Hot Shots" and "The Naked Gun" films, than "Top Secret!,"--which I refer to as the forgotten Z and A movie--is sure to have you laughing out loud as well. Benn - Where's the Humanity?
This movie is very primitive compared to other Zucker/Abrahams productions, both before and after it's original release.