Top Gun Maverick
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
When I first heard they were making a sequel to the 1986 classic I, like many others, rolled my cynical eyes and thought “who needs this?”. And after steaming my glasses with hot tears for nearly 2 hours I realised that, apparently, I needed this.
Certain films from your childhood may not be perfect but they’re untouchable and Top Gun is one of them. The soundtrack, the well realised characters and of course the homoeroticism. So naturally there’s a lot of pressure on a follow-up. It’s 36 years later and the still mischievous Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell is conscripted, under duress, into a teaching position to enhance and finesse the new group of super pilots. This class having the awkward distinction of including the son of the late Goose. Emotional flashbacks and heated reunions ensue. And while other projects have relied too heavily on nostalgia porn to their detriment - the Star Wars stories, sadly - Top Gun Maverick triumphs.
Whatever your opinion on Tom Cruise the man knows how to produce a concrete summer blockbuster. Thrills, laughs and tears are aplenty. The new recruits lead by Miles Teller and Glen Powell are suitably bronzed and chiselled with the right amount of arrogance and vulnerability. Jennifer Connelly delivers a love interest who feels essential to Maverick’s personal development rather than just a box ticked and a plausible yet heartbreaking appearance from Val Kilmer is delivered with such love and respect I defy anyone to hold it together. Also I must commend their characters’ outstanding text etiquette and punctuation.
I have no idea about military jargon so I’ll just assume everything here is correct but from where I sat the non-CGI action seemed satisfyingly feasible and riveting. My palms were grossly dehydrated by the end.
And whereas Lady Gaga has written a solid anthem with Hold My Hand the only thing the film lacked compared to the original is an iconic soundtrack and score. Its gratifying enough. But, that original score. Yowzers. Still elicits goosebumps today.
That very rare beast of a sequel that more than matches its predecessor. The nostalgia is handled delicately and with respect. This is a sensitive love letter to the past; but with epic fighter jets.
9 Wingman Thumbs Up! 👍🏻
