Luke McWilliams gives his review of the 2022 blockbuster action film,ย Top Gun: Maverick (M), starring Tom Cruise and Miles Teller.
Thirty-six years after the original, Captain Pete โMaverickโ Mitchell (Tom Cruise) has avoided countless chances of promotion to continue living his โsimpleโ life; riding his motorcycle and flying test jets. After his latest projectโs funds are redirected, Maverick is called to the United States Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program, aka โTop Gunโ, by old adversary-turned-friend Admiral Tom โIcemanโ Kazansky (Val Kilmer), to train new elite recruits on a highly dangerous mission!
The first Top Gun (1986) was a phenomenon that established Tom Cruise as an action superstar. More about action, bravado and machismo, the movie ultimately lacked character, environment and stakes. Top Gun: Maverick more than makes up for it.
From the get-go, the audience is informed of Maverickโs ultimately lonely life which has seemingly plateaued. Eschewing naval career and personal advancement, Maverick is in arrested development, seemingly enjoying his bare-bones life. It is only with the presence of Lt Bradley โRoosterโ Bradshaw (Miles Teller), son of Maverickโs late flying partner and friend โGooseโ, that the penny drops; Maverick has been afforded an opportunity to resolve the feelings of his greatest failure, to break out of his self-imposed limbo. The action sequences are intense and brilliantly mapped, and the mission stakes are clearly communicated and felt. It is a shame that the relationship and character of love-interest Penelope (Jennifer Connelly) is so half-baked in comparison.
Verdict: Not only a great sequel that surpasses the original, Top Gun: Maverick is a great movie in its own right. Cruise brings the old-fashioned blockbuster back! 4.5 stars.
- Luke McWilliams | themovieclub.net
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