Top Gun: Maverick – A Fun Summer Blockbuster (Early Review)

Tom Cruise quickly gained widespread recognition as a fresh new face in Hollywood in 1983 with roles in Francis Ford Coppola’s adaptation of The Outsiders, All the Right Moves, and most importantly, Risky Business. However, it wasn’t until 1986 that he would become one of the biggest stars in the world, after landing the lead role as Lieutenant Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in Tony Scott’s Air Force action-romance film Top Gun.

Top Gun was a smash hit and has since been deemed one of the most iconic films of the 1980s, establishing Cruise as the new it-man in Hollywood – a title that he miraculously still holds today. Despite the film’s commercial success, critics were not as kind, and it’s generally looked upon as a product of its time. For many years, Cruise rejected the possibility of a sequel. However when Top Gun: Maverick was finally announced, where he would be reprising his role as “Maverick”, many fans were surprised and disregarded it as another attempt for Hollywood to capitalize off of 80s nostalgia. In the decades since the release of the original, Cruise has gone on to do bigger and better things, earning two Oscar nominations, working with highly prolific filmmakers, and starring in the extremely successful Mission Impossible franchise. In concept, it didn’t make sense why Cruise would decide to suddenly return to the franchise that he never seemed enthusiastic about revisiting.

Top Gun: Maverick is a perfect example of why cinephiles should avoid having preconceived notions before watching a film. Joseph Kosinski may have an inconsistent track record, but he proved with his directorial debut Tron: Legacy, that he has a knack for reinvigorating franchises that have not been active in decades. That’s exactly what he does here with the Top Gun franchise, as he crafts a sequel that far surpasses the original.

Top Gun: Maverick takes place decades after the events of its predecessor. Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Cruise) has purposefully dodged a multitude of opportunities for an advancement in rank, in order to continue flying after 36 years of service, and due to his everlasting grief regarding the death of his best friend, Goose, that he feels partly responsible for. After an act of rebellion, Maverick is awarded one last chance to redeem himself before he is kicked out of the Air Force for good. He begrudgingly agrees to teach at Top Gun and help a group of new students to successfully complete a dangerous mission. Among the students that Maverick teaches is Goose’s son,  Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw (Teller). Through teaching Rooster, Maverick has a chance at redemption.

From a technical standpoint, Top Gun: Maverick is one of the most impressive blockbusters to be released in recent years. Claudio Miranda’s unconventional drone-based cinematography paired with the air-tight editing perfectly simulates the experience of flying in a jet, and is made to be seen on the biggest screen possible. The film’s third act is especially immersive, featuring some explosive dogfight sequences that will keep audiences on the edge of their seat.

Cruise once again pushes his limits as a stuntman, as he learned how to fly a variety of different aircrafts and performs numerous aerial tricks that are exhilarating to watch on the big screen and rival his work in the Mission Impossible franchise. Aside from the stunt-work, this is also one of his most impressive performances from an emotional standpoint. He turns Pete Mitchell into a layered, three-dimensional character that is easy to root for. He has magnetic on-screen chemistry with Jennifer Connelly as Penny Benjamin, as well as an endearing father-son dynamic with Teller’s Bradshaw.

Meanwhile, the film is more substantive and has higher stakes than the original, as it is a deeper exploration of who Maverick is as a person. It presents him as someone who is addicted to adrenaline, which prevents him from growing in his career, and closes him off to serious relationships. Throughout the course of the film, audiences watch Maverick grow considerably. Cruise’s performance is so dedicated, that it’s difficult to not fall in love with the character, despite his flaws.

In the end, Top Gun: Maverick is the rare sequel that is able to surpass its predecessor from both a narrative and technical standpoint. It is a superbly made blockbuster that is thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish.

still courtesy of Paramount Pictures

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Tristan French