Review: Back to the danger zone for Tom Cruise in thrilling 'Top Gun: Maverick'
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
“Top Gun: Maverick” comes 36 years after its predecessor and has absolutely zero right to be as entertaining as it is, pressing all of the right buttons to create what ultimately feels like an old-fashioned movie experience.
But what’s thoroughly impressive: It doesn’t rely on any one aspect of its story to carry the film. Narratively speaking, director Joseph Kosinski takes the numerous storylines from Ehren Kruger, Eric Warren Singer and Christopher McQuarrie’s script and balances them, creating a movie that has echoes of the original, but is something of its own.
In the three-plus decades since the original, it wouldn’t be a stretch to expect that Pete “Maverick” Mitchell has moved up in the Navy and has more than a few pips or stars, given his track record like his one-time rival and eventual friend Tom “Iceman” Kazansky (Val Kilmer).
Nope.
Same old Maverick, he loves thumbing his nose at authority when necessary. His latest move in that realm sends him back to Top Gun, the academy for elite naval aviators, but this time he has an assignment: An undisclosed power is about to acquire nuclear capabilities.
'Top Gun: Maverick' weaves storylines together
Maverick, much to the dismay of Adm. Beau “Cyclone” Simpson (Jon Hamm) receives the assignment to train those fighters to strike a target that’s the equivalent of “shooting womp rats in Beggar’s Canyon” against astronomical odds.
One of those pilots he’s expected to prepare: Lt. Bradley Bradshaw (Miles Teller), the son of Goose (Anthony Edwards), his deceased best friend.
More: 'Slider, you stink': Why Tom Cruise's pungent 'Top Gun' smackdown still ranks at 35
More: 'Top Gun's shirtless volleyball epic: Rick Rossovich claims he beat Val Kilmer in battle of the bods
For those who've forgotten, Goose was killed in a flight accident where Maverick was piloting the aircraft, and Bradley reveres his father — or shall we say the memory of his father — right down to emulating the cheesy moustache on loan from the 1980s.
It’s a storyline that could have easily dominated “Maverick” and not in necessarily a good way. If anything takes centerstage, it would be the mission. That’s where the fun comes in as it’s difficult to not be enthralled by the ballet in the sky the planes produce in various fight scenarios.
Those scenes thrill and, in an age where theatrical audio presentation pushes the envelope, it represents a memorable achievement.
The original arrived in the Dolby stereo surround sound mode, no center channels, no Dolby 5.1. For those who own current technology — Dolby Atmos, which is basically directional sound — prepare to be immersed in the experience of flying in an F-18 fighter jet.
'Maverick' ties back to original 'Top Gun,' but moves forward
Yet, even with that type of experience, “Maverick” wouldn’t work without emotional ties to the original that are nostalgic, yet understandable. Fans of it were led to believe that Maverick was able to put the death of his best friend behind him. However, with him carrying the knowledge that he may be directly responsible for that accident for 30-plus years, is the guilt ever really gone? That certainly proves evident in the tension between him and Bradley.
More: Val Kilmer begged to be in ‘Top Gun’ sequel and other revelations from his new memoir
Give director Kosinski credit in showing restraint in handling their relationship. It possesses elements of nostalgia without drowning in it and it proves emotional without being manipulative, a fact also owed to the script, which strikes a balance between all of those elements.
Kosinski leads the cast to giving performances that align with his direction. “Maverick” could have taken a number of different paths. Cruise, not unexpectedly, stands out as the cocky fighter pilot from “Top Gun” who has grown into the emotionally available and sometimes vulnerable person, along with being a wise instructor.
The testosterone that dominated “Top Gun,” a reflection of its macho times, isn’t replaced, but married to a heaping dose of empathy and emotion.
If you’re looking for nostalgia, there’s enough of that in “Top Gun: Maverick,” but given the effort taken to move the character forward, it should be appreciated at that level, also. Ultimately, it’s a good, old-fashioned blockbuster. Grab the popcorn. Sink down in your seat and immerse yourself.
George M. Thomas dabbles in movies and television for the Beacon Journal. Reach him at gthomas@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @ByGeorgeThomas
Details
Movie: “Top Gun: Maverick”
Cast: Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Val Kilmer
Directed by: Joseph Kosinski
Running time: 2 hours, 11 minutes
Rated: PG-13 for sequences of intense action, and some strong language
Grade: A-
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Review: "Top Gun: Maverick' evolves for the times
