Film Review - "Top Gun: Maverick"

Top Gun: Maverick

Directed by Joseph Kosinski

Starring Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, and Jennifer Connelly

Full disclosure, my friends...I had never seen the original Top-Gun until last Memorial Day Weekend. I caught it just before it left Netflix, and just as the sequel hit theaters. I liked it fine. The visuals were solid for their time. It had a good story, a great cast, and a killer soundtrack. I didn't necessarily see a lot of potential for a sequel.

I tell you all this to maximize contrast to my next few sentences. Top Gun: Maverick is well worth all the praise its been giving. Not only is it a worthy sequel, I found it to be better than the original. Believe the hype. 

Thirty years after graduating TOPGUN, US Navy Captain Pete "Maverick" Mitchell (Cruise) is called back to his old stomping grounds to instruct a new team of Top Gun pilots on a dangerous mission to destroy a foreign country's unsanctioned uranium enrichment plant. Among his students and potential recruits is Lieutenant Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw (Teller), son of Maverick's former wingman Nick "Goose" Bradshaw (Anthony Edwards), who was killed in action during a flight with Maverick in the original film.

As the mission draws closer and Maverick trains his students, tensions between he and Rooster grow due to their shared history. Meanwhile, Maverick reconnects with an old flame, Penelope "Penny" Benjamin (Connelly).

Right off the bat I think Maverick takes the Top Gun story to its natural next step (in fact they sort of set this up in the original). Yes this is a big spectacle action film but none of that matters if you don't care about the characters, and you do. There's a lot of heart and emotion to this, with big themes like fatherhood and legacy. The sizzle and the steak are both right here. But speaking of spectacle, this is a film that NEEDS to be seen on the biggest screen possible.

Advancements in filmmaking technology do nothing but benefit the world of Top Gun. You feel as if you're up in the air with these pilots. Everything from the visuals to the sound work come together perfectly. It's exhilarating. Pure thrills. Is there an IMAX near you? See it in IMAX.

Tom Cruise, putting his personal life aside, the man clearly cares about his work and the films he makes. Maverick is a prime-example. He's never been a favorite actor of mine but he gives a classic Tom Cruise performance here. He slips back into one of his most iconic roles flawlessly. Speaking of actors who were never my favorite, Miles Teller I think gives one of the best performances of his career (No I haven't seen Whiplash). Good for him. He can stay. Jennifer Connelly is also delightful as Penny, and she has great chemistry with Cruise. Jon Hamm matches up against Cruise well as Vice Admiral Beau "Cyclone" Simpson. It's easily one of his less-likable characters but that's a testament to his talent. You love to hate Glen Powell as "Hangman" even more, but he's definitely playing to his usual archetype. Finally, Val Kilmer returns as "Iceman" in one of the film's quiter but most emotional and memorable scenes.

Yeah so I don't have much more to say. I'm with the majority on this one. Top Gun: Maverick is not only a spectacular sequel, it's one of the best films of the year. It has everything a sequel to Top Gun should have. Spectacular visuals, wonderful characters in a compelling story, and a killer soundtrack. It's just a great time at the movie theater. Get on the highway to the danger zone and see it for yourself.

Side-Note: You know how many times I used the quote "Not gonna let you down, Goose" over the years because they referenced it in Ted? And I had no idea that Goose died! What kinda sick joke. Seth McFarlane you crossed lines...