Over the last several years we've seen a lot of "legacy" sequels come and go.
Some work really well...
Others are fine...
Without burying the lead, Top Gun: Maverick is most certainly one of those that works.
Really. Damn. Well.
Cruise and his team, wise with their experience, were able to set up advanced screenings on a wide scale for Top Gun: Maverick this Tuesday, and I love getting to see new movies early/first. I strongly believe they're in for quite a Memorial Day weekend because the buzz on this one is going to be hot (not to mention, the new Mission Impossible trailer plays incredible on a huge screen).
Top Gun: Maverick is a legacy sequel done right. It retains the star power that made the original stand out, has obvious nostalgic call backs, but still does enough to move the story and these characters forward. Oh...and it's an edge-of-your-seat thrill ride in only the way Cruise so often delivers.
Top Gun: Maverick picks up many years after the original, probably to the surprise of no one. Cruise's Captain Pete "Maverick" Mitchell is elsewhere in the military, being bounced around, often punished for his talented exploits and refusing to move up/on from his Captain role. Pilots are few and far between as unmanned aircraft has taken over the scene, but there's still a Top Gun program. When a dangerous, near-impossible mission (eh...ehh?) comes across the Navy's plate, they know they need the best recent graduates of Top Gun and Maverick to teach them.
One of the best aspects of Maverick is that it doesn't overcomplicate things. We never really know who the enemy is (I vote it's Russia just given their current leader's insanity) but instead the story focuses on characters, their relationships, and the mission at hand. The mission itself is also simple and straightforward, slowly reiterated several times to the audience. This ends up being highly effective because once the scene comes, it's wildly intense as we know exactly what has to happen and in what sequence.
From a character perspective, there's also a lot to love, and that's coming from someone who respects Top Gun's legacy, but probably hasn't seen it in over 7-10 years (give or take). We're filled in on characters' lives, introduced to new characters, and explained relationships between them. The film/script does this well, not overdoing any one "OMG you get they're X person's son, right!?" and it's a nice element that it feels like we've naturally been dropped back into these people's lives without over explanation. This is especially true for Jennifer Connelly's Penny - a new(ish) character - who I literally had to search to see if she was part of the original (mentioned, never seen). She's introduced so organically and melds right into the scene that you'd think she was Cruise's love interest in the original, but instead the film mentions their brief history together and lets you self-imagine the rest.
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| Yet again, I think we'd all love to know what the insurance policy on Tom Cruise is |
Given this is a Cruise film, he's probably one of the best (if not the outright best) leading actors working today. His performance here isn't the hardest work he's ever had to do, but he remains compelling and convincing in every regard. Miles Teller - talented in his own right - fits right in as Rooster, and has instant report with the other cadets and Cruise himself. The remainder of the cast including Jon Hamm, Glen Powell, Monica Barbaro, Charles Parnell, and many others and...yes...Val Kilmer all deliver the typical 80's style performances of distinct characters. It all works wonderfully to make this cast memorable in its own right.
Beyond the story and the characters, people are obviously going to flock to Top Gun Maverick for the action and the nostalgia, both of which are just nailed. The nostalgia is obvious, but so well intentioned all the time that you can't help but love it. Often, it subtly serves the story and is never eye-roll-inducing. Plus, say what you will about nostalgia, but sometimes it's just an incredibly comfy feeling that fits right at home in a movie theater. So be it!
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| Riding boats, motorcycles, AND planes?!? Is there anything Cruise can't do? |
The action however is downright jaw dropping. There's nary a special effect to be found (here and there) so what we're getting is incredibly intense, real flight sequences that are edited well, and filmed with enough talent to understand where various planes are and when. As someone who loves nearly everything director Joseph Kosinski has put out, this is another massive win for him. Remember when I mentioned the core mission's simplicity? It drives such a pulse-pounding finale that rivals some of the best stuff Mission: Impossible has put together. These sequences are gripping and quite literally edge-of-your-seat in a way that even the most jaded movie goer (like me, because I see so many) will be hooked on. Couple that with an impressive original score from Hans Zimmer with that uber-iconic Top Gun theme and you've got chills along your arms.
I had decently high expectations for Top Gun: Maverick just given Cruise's team that he keeps close knit these days and their ability to make compelling films. Mine were less based on the film that preceded it and more around the belief that Cruise just pours a ton of passion into his films anymore and he leads others around him to do the same. Top Gun Maverick is a perfect example of that: a thrilling, wild ride of a blockbuster that BEGS to be seen on the biggest, loudest theater you can see it on. It's pure entertainment.
CONS
- Feels like it takes a little while to get going after an exciting opening sequence
- Ending almost approaches that "one more thing goes wrong" territory that can have films overstaying their welcome
- Honestly? I wanted more of the Top Gun theme. It slaps so hard (as the kids say)
- Cruise and Co. have put a lot of passion into this, not only from respecting the source material, but also ensuring accuracy and authenticity of the flights themselves
- Tom Cruise as lead. Need I say more?
- Rest of cast is great and even new(ish) characters, like Connelly's, are introduced well and folded in organically
- Solid, simple story that focuses more on the characters than anything else
- Mission design being so simple, but so memorable helps ratchet up intensity during that scene
- The new gold standard for flight sequences. Sorry Dunkirk.
- Top Gun theme! And Hans Zimmer!
- Awesome editing and direction in flight sequences. Kosinski is talented and we should start recognizing it broadly
- Great moments of humor throughout
- Well placed, mostly authentic nostaliga
- Entertaining from start to finish + short(ish) and sweet film
Rath's Review Score | 9/10
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