TOP GUN: MAVERICK as a 35-year-old sequel to the 1986 megahit TOP GUN has no business being as good as it is… And it is extremely good! With a massive opening weekend, I think it is safe to say audiences never lost that loving feeling. In fact, it is Tom Cruise’s biggest opening weekend ever! Yeah you heard me. Much like Cruise himself, the numbers are insane!
If you have not seen the film yet, you might as well head down to your local theater right now, because 1. It’s awesome, and 2. I might be a bit spoilery as I gush about all the cheesy 80’s nostalgia and the very formulaic but powerfully succinct screenplay. It’s popcorn fun that is sometimes over-the-top goofy, but it is intoxicating joy from start to finish. I don’t think movies are dead, but keeping with the TOP GUN: MAVERICK hyperbole tone, it sure feels as though Tom Cruise may have saved movies!
MAVERICK opens up with Cruise himself expressing how meaningful this movie is to him and the importance of creating natural, realistic imagery with actual high flying stunts. He caps it off by telling the audience this movie is for you. No one can get away with goofball charm the way Cruise can and we dive right into that familiar thematic score as we see a montage of flight crews and fighter jets taking off.
After a few obligatory shots of Cruise looking at photos of Goose from the original film, Maverick is immediately bucking authority proving he still has the need for speed. This time however, he is proving a military jet’s speed level before their program is about to be shut down. And just like last time, while he is getting reprimanded, Maverick finds out that he is also being summoned to teach the new young hotshot pilots at Top Gun how to fly in a super secret, super dangerous mission that won’t need one miracle, but two miracles to pull off correctly. Personally, I love any screenplay that lays out a plan and explains in detail just how insane it is. Sign me up every time, because every time I will say, “Yes, please!”
Maverick is recruited by none other than his old nemeses turned old friend, Admiral Tom ‘Ice Man’ Kazanski. Val Kilmer makes a brief but powerful appearance, even working in his real life battle with throat cancer into the character. Of course, Maverick has a few obstacles to overcome in this new position as an instructor. Firstly, Admiral Beau ‘Cyclone’ Simpson (Jon Hamm) doesn’t want him there. Secondly, Maverick still wants to be the hotshot. But thirdly and most importantly, he must teach the son of his best friend and wingman, Goose, who tragically died by his side many years ago. Growing the same awesomely fuzzy mustache, Miles Teller plays Goose’s son, Rooster. Looking like a younger Anthony Edwards with a great talent to match, Miles is definitely well-cast for the part. Goose and Maverick have their own past beef that comes to light and influences much of the film’s emotional portion of the story. Goose also has a conflict with another cocky pilot, Hangman, played wonderfully by Glen Powell. In fact, many of the pilots have some nice moments played well by some gifted young actors. But make no mistake, this is the Tom Cruise show.
The high flying stunts look and sound amazing on the big screen. And most of it is due to Tom Cruise’s insistence. But director, Joseph Kosinski, captures all the incredible action beautifully. Much like Maverick, Cruise is sort of a one man show as the guy who can accomplish everything and is only hindered by people believing he can’t do something. I’m not saying this is Tom Cruise’s best performance, but I actually think it might be among one of his top.
Everything about TOP GUN: MAVERICK is almost telegraphed but with a slight twist at times. The film is sort of a warm embrace to 80’s movies, Tom Cruise, and everything relevant to the original film. Jennifer Connelly plays Penny, Maverick’s love interest this go around, whose character has a mention in the original and seems obscenely rich with her home, boat, and Porsche despite being a bar owner. But it all makes for great imagery. We even get a callback to that goofy volleyball match, only this time, it’s a goofy, ‘let’s not keep score’ beach football game. To be fair, that scene and many other irrelevant scenes are absolutely glorious and help make MAVERICK, one amazingly joyous ride flight.
TOP GUN: MAVERICK can be summed up with this little exchange at the beginning of the film.
Rear Admiral: “The end is inevitable, Maverick. Your kind is headed for extinction.”
Maverick: “Maybe so, sir. But not today.”
