Top Gun: Maverick
2022 Review Number 5:
Top Gun - Maverick: (Action/Drama): 85 out of 100: It has been 36 years since the original 'Top Gun' was released. In 1986, it was the top grossing box office film in the US, denying 'Crocodile Dundee' from holding that prestigious position. Due to Covid restrictions and lockdowns, the sequel was meant to be released in 2020. What's another 2 year wait after such a long time between 'Top Gun' movies? The wait was certainly worth it, with 'Top Gun: Maverick' a superior film to the original. More heart, more emotion, more thrills, more action, more Tom Cruise being less cheesy than he was in the 'Top Gun' 1986 version.
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Captain Pete "Maverick" Mitchell (Tom Cruise) is still flying for the US Navy's elite flying squad 'Top Gun' after 30 years of service. One day, his chief in command Rear Admiral Chester "Hammer" Cain (Ed Harris), summons him to train a group of Top Gun graduates under the command of friend and former rival, Admiral Tom "Iceman" Kazansky (Val Kilmer). The group's mission is to eliminate an unnamed nation's enriched uranium resources which will be used to target America. One of the graduates is Lieutenant Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw (Miles Teller), the son of Maverick's late best friend and Nick "Goose" Bradshaw (Anthony Edwards seen in flashbacks). Along the way, Maverick rekindles his relationship with an old flame, Penny Benjamin (Jennifer Connelly).
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There's a touch of nostalgia when you hear "Danger Zone" sung by Kenny Loggins in the opening scenes and Tom Cruise cruising around on his motorcycle, both elements of the original movie. The main feature, however, was the flight scenes which have improved dramatically in this movie. These action scenes are so well staged that it seems like you are in the cockpit with the actors. Every aerial manoeuvre boosted by the awesome sound effects make these scenes feel so realistic. This would be the type of blockbuster movie to see on an IMAX screen, but unfortunately Sydney hasn't had an IMAX theatre since 2016.
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What sets this apart from the original is the superior storyline which injects more heart and emotion. You care more for the main characters here. The tragedy of Maverick losing his best friend was only touched on and should have generated more sympathy from the audience. The sequel's director, Joseph Kosinski, has brilliantly interwoven the action with the drama, and allowed for more depth to the characters' emotions, unlike Tony Scott, the late director of 'Top Gun' who made many movies that were flashy and more popcorn than substantial.
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All the actors do a fine job of portraying their roles but Jennifer Connelly is in a rather thankless role as the love interest. Although a quality actress, she doesn't bring as much spunk and pizazz as Kelly McGillis did in "Top Gun". Apart from Tom Cruise, the only other actor to reprise their role from the original is Val Kilmer. He hasn't been in many movies of late due to his throat cancer which has robbed him of his voice yet this condition has been used to excellent effect in his role as Iceman. Miles Teller as Rooster displays his range of emotions in questioning why Maverick has stagnated his career and how he was to blame for his father's death. The star of the whole film is Tom Cruise. Turning 60 in a little over a month, he shows no signs of slowing down in his iconic action roles.
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"Top Gun: Maverick" is a marked improvement on "Top Gun" and deserves to be seen on the big screen for the genuine blockbuster it is. Even if you haven't seen the original, it will be easy to follow the sequel. Fans of "Top Gun" will be blown away by the superior action sequences and sound quality, detractors will be impressed that we have a case of a sequel being much better than the original which doesn't happen often.
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Starring Tom Cruise, Jennifer Connelly, Miles Teller, Jon Hamm, Monica Barbaro, Glen Powell, Ed Harris and Val Kilmer
(130 mins)
Parental advice: Violence
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giXco2jaZ_4 (Movie trailer)
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(Reviewed on Tuesday 24th May, 2022)
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