DIRECTOR: Joseph Kosinski
PRODUCERS: Jerry Bruckheimer & Tom Cruise & David Ellison & Christopher McQuarrie
WRITERS: Peter Craig & Justin Marks (story by) & Ehren Kruger & Eric Warren Singer &
Christopher McQuarrie
PERFORMERS: Tom Cruise Miles Teller Jennifer Connelly Bashir Salahuddin Jon Hamm
Charles Parnell Monica Barbaro Lewis Pullman Jay Ellis Danny Ramirez Glen Powell
Jean Louisa Kelly with Ed Harris and Val Kilmer
It was 1986 when a lot of good films came out. From Ferris Bueller, Aliens, Rambo II, Lucas, and yes, Stand By Me were the hottest blockbuster hits of that year. Back then, you couldn't get enough of those and you just kept going back for more. But then there was Top Gun, which was the highest grossing film of the year, and at the time a very ambitious film to make. Yet through the magic of the late Tony Scott, Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer, they made it work and fly to such a degree that it kept on flying over our heads and in our memories.
TOP GUN: Maverick is the long awaited sequel to the memorable classic we all know and love. Personally the first was hard to keep up with, something about it however kept my attention and the film's star power led Cruise himself, kind of had something to do with it. This entry however, somehow managed to keep me both invested and on the edge of my seat. Throughout Cruise's magnificent performance, he portrayed a man with a successful career, successful talents and a knack for staying grounded in lending his talents to those he considers more important than himself. Specifically the son of his late best friend/wingman who died in a horrific accident that has haunted him for so many years... and you wonder why he went behind the scenes at the end of the first film. That's one aspect of the storyline that was unexpected though necessary to keep the audience invested in the film overall. Miles Teller plays his part so well that you think you're looking at Anthony Edwards back in 1986; the style, the presence, the appearance... you just automatically forget who he is. Teller matches Edwards (from back then) so well, he must have done his homework on the character and by the end you think, that is what acting is all about!
Some of the new characters are also a great addition. Jennifer Connelly in particular really shines. She really delivers as an old flame that has such an effect on a person like Cruise's character. A flame that was never lit out, even after it was gone. As for the rest of the film, the setting was very modern-day, it wasn't trying to beat out what the original was but most certainly exceeded over the top. This was more about adapting to a new generation of flyers, taking bigger risks and more so... letting go of the past (PHILIPPIANS 3:13-14). Even with some of the most action-packed scenes this really tugged your heart at times, like a visit to see old friends from the past, reflecting on past hurts and not thinking about what you're going to do next, but just doing what comes next.
Every jet flying sequence was out of this world amazing to look at on the big screen. Between the dogfighting scenes and flying shots, the aerial moments were great as well. Somehow it felt like you were flying with them because every time the shots were inside or outside the jets, you were mind blown and you almost couldn't tell what was happening. This especially reminded me what made the first film so great in the first place. Seeing what we don't get to see up close and personal unless you're with the Air Force or any other unit that specializes in that field. Flying, they say, is the closest you'll ever get to God; even so what does that look like let alone feel like? Like getting close to heaven even (REVELATION 8:13). And every time the main heroes were in the sky, they were so close to them both that when Teller's character calls out to his late father and boom! You don't hear or see him, but you know he's near and that's enough to bring him home which was Cruise's goal all along.
Over Thirty years, several delays (due to the COVID pandemic), one shot... this film really delivers. Whatever it took to make this happen, no matter how many times it was delayed or put off... the wait was very well worth it! The last great legacy sequel film I saw was GHOSTBUSTERS: Afterlife, but this one coming from a director who's no stranger to that field (Joseph Kosinski, who also directed TRON: Legacy) has proven time once again that the need for speed has not grown weary and neither has Cruise. TOP GUN: Maverick takes you on a zone so dangerous and so loud that it's too cool to pass up or not want to get on. I highly recommend this film and it's going to become one of the biggest box office hits of the year (just like it's predecessor!). Who knows? this very well just may be the best of the best.
In Loving Memory of
DON SIMPSON (1943-1996) & TONY SCOTT (1944-2012)
MY RATING: 5 out of 5
Great post. What's your thoughts on The Black Panther movie and upcoming sequel? Love to hear your thoughts.