Director: Joseph Kosinski
Genre: Action/
Drama
Runtime: 130
minutes
Year:
2022
Starring: Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Val Kilmer, Ed
Harris, Charles Parnell, Monica Barbaro, Glen Powell, Bashir Salahuddin, Jay
Ellis, Danny Ramirez, Lewis Pullman
Description: After thirty
years, Maverick (Tom Cruise) is still pushing the envelope as a top naval
aviator, but must confront ghosts of his past when he leads TOP GUN’s elite
graduates on a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those chosen to
fly it.
Review: It’s been years since Pete “Maverick” Mitchell attended pilot training
at TOP GUN. By now he is an old hand in the business and has often been awarded
for his heroic actions, but has never risen in rank. This is in contrast to his
old rival and friend Iceman, who has become and Admiral. Iceman is the one
standing up for Maverick, ensuring that he can return to TOP GUN. However, this
time as an instructor to train a group of graduates for a dangerous secret
mission. Not being eager to do so, Maverick does return and trains the group, but
uses unorthodox methods. One of the pilots in the group is Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw,
the son of Maverick’s deceased co-pilot Goose. Rooster resents maverick a great
deal and that makes things more complicated. When the mission is suddenly
brought forward, Maverick doesn’t know if the group is ready for it.
In recent years, a number of
sequels have been made to classic movies from the 1980s and 1990s. Most don’t
really succeed and are merely there for nostalgia reasons. I was sceptic about “Top
Gun: Maverick”, I didn’t think we need this sequel. I always liked the movie,
but after a recent rewatch after many years, I realized “Top Gun” doesn’t
really hold up. But boy was I wrong about this sequel. “Top Gun: Maverick” is
the sequel I didn’t think I needed.
The character of Maverick
has grown, but he is still reckless and always seeks out the borders and ways
to cross them. But here Maverick feels more raw, realistic and someone you can
actually care about, what I didn’t really feel in the original. I loved seeing
Val Kilmer return, in a brief role, but the rivalry they used to have turned
into a beautiful friendship, which is very visible in that one scene they have.
Kelly McGillis doesn’t return, there is no explanation about where her
character is. But it didn’t bother me at all, because I didn’t really care
about her character anyway. Jennifer Connolly is Maverick’s new love-interest,
whose character is mentioned briefly in “Top Gun” is you pay close attention.
And talking about perfect
casting: Miles Teller as Rooster, the son of Maverick’s deceased co-pilot
Goose. It’s totally believable. His character is angry and insecure, which
brings an extra obstacle to Maverick’s return to TOP GUN.
“Top Gun: Maverick” is a very
successful sequel to a cheesy and enjoyable 80s movie, that easily tops its
original. It’s much better. And its best they stay with only the one sequel,
because this is a perfect ending to Maverick’s story. One of my favorite films
of the year.
Rating: 4,5/
5
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