yeah it's slightly contrived as i doubt scene about him getting chewed out about the near miss in debrief was real, but it's not a documentary some of the footage of the fires was prolly gas as high order detonation is over in a flash but over all it was very impressive when i saw at the IMAX in Rochester
Actually, I believe they are pretty serious about those types of things, ceilings, rules of engagement, etc.
But hey, it is fun to watch. I forget where I read it, it might have been in “Bogeys and Bandits: The Making of a Fighter Pilot”, where the author describes fighters mocking and making fun of the “cartoonish” “Top Gun” movie, yet...they all love it.