Top Gun: Maverick movie review

MOVIE TITLE: Top Gun: Maverick

This thrilling sequel is currently available in theaters, crushing it at the box office at #1.

RATING: PG-13

LENGTH: 2 hours 11 minutes

IN A NUTSHELL:

Wow. Just wow! Producers Jerry Bruckheimer and Tom Cruise know how to create a fun summer blockbuster. Many are saying this one is even better than the first. I completely agree.

After more than thirty years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators, Pete Mitchell is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him. Paramount Pictures has already earned a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, thrilling fans and critics alike with this high-octane action flick. That’s quite a feat, even wilder than a jet racing through the skies! This is the summer blockbuster we wanted…and needed it to be!

Do you feel the need for speed? I do!

THINGS I LIKED:

Tom Cruise. Hello, Maverick! Welcome back! This classic character and fierce actor have got what it takes to excite fans who have waited a VERY long time for this sequel! (36 years to be exact) Tom Cruise is 60 years old and looks fantastic. We see him riding his motorcycle next to the airstrip as he did in the first movie, and you almost can’t tell if you’re watching a clip from the first movie or if this is new footage…he looks THAT great. One thing I love about him is that he NEVER phones it in. He always gives more than 100% in his films and his growing skillset is super impressive. He’s a true movie STAR.
The new cast members also include Miles Teller, Jon Hamm, Glen Powell, Jay Ellis, Monica Barbaro, Charles Parnell, and Lewis Pullman.
One question I have is when is Jennifer Connelly going to start aging? She looks amazing.
I’m so happy to see returning cast members Ed Harris and Val Kilmer. The scene with Val Kilmer was especially touching.
Try to watch this on the biggest screen you possibly can. The aerial acrobatics are absolutely breathtaking.
I’m super impressed with director Joseph Kosinski for many reasons, but especially because this is only his 4th feature film ever! He’s on the map!
This film has substance and style, heart and heat, flight and grounding.
There are a lot of respectful nods to the past that fans will love, including pictures on walls and video clips from the first movie.
Lots of humor and Tom Cruise awesomeness.
Tasty tension.
The musical score is perfect.
If you were to create your own call sign, what would you pick?
There were rumors that the studio was going to remove the Taiwanese flag on Maverick’s classic jacket for fear of losing the Chinese market. I was amazed and surprised to see that it’s actually on his jacket in the final movie’s release!
It was completely refreshing to watch a movie come out of Hollywood that doesn’t put America down or have a political stance of apologizing for being America, you know? It’s not identified in the film which country the fighter pilots are going up against, which I thought was wise.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

It’s pretty predictable, but still doggone fun.
It would have been nice to see Meg Ryan make a cameo appearance.
I watched an interview with Kelly McGillis, saying she feels old and fat, not wanting fans to see her like that.
There’s lots of military jargon, but you can absolutely still enjoy watching this.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Some profanity
Dangerous behavior
Pre-marital relations (we see unmarried people in bed together)

THEMES:

Tenacity
Brotherhood
Past, present, future
Respect
Obedience
Protecting others
Sacrifice

FUNNY LINES:

“One last thing…who’s the better pilot? You or me?” – Iceman (Val Kilmer) “This is a nice moment. Let’s not ruin it.” – Maverick (Tom Cruise)
“I don’t like that look you got.” – Coleman (Bashir Salahuddin) “It’s the only one I got.” – Maverick (Tom Cruise)