Great, if obscure movie, and the “splash the Zeros” scene in paritcular was very well done.
Whether by intent or not, it accurately shows how a pilot of a “superior” fighter (Tomcat) can get overconfident in his machine and end up in a situation where a pilot of an “inferior” one (Zero) gets into a position to take a killing shot. The key is always to fight air combat on YOUR terms ( the already mentioned Zoom and Boom tactics used by better performing but less maneuverable US fighters against the Zero), and not get suckered by the other guy into fighting on his.
One of the greatest (or at least most complex) dogfights in history was between an F-4 Phantom and MiG-17 during Vietnam. The USAF pilot was either Olds or Richie (I think) and that phenominal Vietnames pilot. Both both exploited their aircrafts’ potential to the maximum and nether was willing to give an inch to the other’s forte (with the exception of the American having to fight under restrictive visual rules of engagement).