Hot Shots! is a 1991 action-comedy film directed by Jim Abrahams, who co-wrote the screenplay with Pat Proft. It stars Charlie Sheen as Topper Harley, a former Navy pilot haunted by his father's death and living in a cabin in the mountains, where he chops wood with his bare hands and imitates animals.
The story begins with Topper being recruited by Admiral Benson (Lloyd Bridges) to join a secret mission with a new squadron of pilots, called the Eagles. The mission is to destroy an Iraqi nuclear plant, and Topper is chosen because of his exceptional flying skills and his father, who was a legendary pilot and war hero.
However, upon arriving at the base, Topper discovers that the Eagles are a group of misfits and oddballs, including a pilot who wears glasses with windshield wipers, a woman who can't stop vomiting, and a navigator who confuses his left and right. Additionally, Admiral Benson is completely incompetent and constantly gets himself and his team into trouble.
Despite these obstacles, Topper begins to train the Eagles, hoping to turn them into a competent team for the dangerous mission. Along the way, he becomes romantically involved with a therapist named Ramada (Valeria Golino), who is also the ex-girlfriend of his rival, Kent Gregory (Cary Elwes), the leader of another squadron.
As the mission approaches, Topper must confront his inner demons and overcome his fears to lead the Eagles to victory. The film is full of slapstick comedy, parodying popular action movies of the time, including Top Gun and Rambo. Along with its silly humor, Hot Shots! also delivers some heartfelt moments, as Topper deals with his past and falls in love.