Thirty-six years ago Top Gun launched into theaters, becoming a cultural phenomenon. It ended the year as the highest grossing movie on the way to securing four Oscar nominations, including a win for Best Original Song for “Take My Breath Away.” In other words, it was a massive movie in every sense of the word. Thinking about a movie like Top Gun under a 2022 lens, you would assume a sequel would have been greenlit, made, and released as soon as possible. But, being 1986, Hollywood was still a ways away from going all in on sequels and reboots. So fans had to wait 36 years for Top Gun: Maverick. And that wait was worth it and then some. Nearly everything Top Gun did well, Maverick does better.
Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise) has enjoyed a decorated career as a Navy fighter pilot. Whether by choice or his rebel nature or (more likely) a combination of both, he has remained a Captain, avoiding the high level promotions that typically follow for someone of his skill and accomplishments. But Maverick knows where he belongs: in the air, pushing the boundaries every chance he gets.
But all that comes to a halt when he gets called back to TOPGUN to teach a new batch of hot-shot Navy pilots. Only this time, it’s not just for instruction. He’s there – much to the chagrin of Vice Admiral Beau “Cyclone” Simpson (a wasted Jon Hamm, in one of the movie’s few low points) – to train the best of the best of the Navy for a high-risk mission to destroy facilities that are set to store enriched uranium.
But of course, there are a few extenuating circumstances complicating all of this. First, he can’t return to TOPGUN without reliving one of the worst moments of his life: the death of his best friend and Radio Intercept Officer Nick “Goose” Bradshaw. Though officially cleared of any wrongdoing, he can’t help but feel at least partially responsible. And not only that, but Goose’s son, Lt. Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw (Miles Teller) is one of the pilots he’s set to train. Rooster, understandably so, still harbors resentment towards Maverick. Also on the base is one of Maverick’s former flames, Penny (Jennifer Connelly) who owns the local bar.
Even before getting to all the aerial stunts and all of that, Maverick‘s story is a huge part of what makes it such a strong movie. The original is mostly just a vibes movie, and it works for what it is; it works really well. But the final act mission completely comes out of nowhere. There’s no build up to it, you don’t feel the full weight of what Maverick and Iceman are doing. But here, the mission is what brings everyone back to TOPGUN. The characters and the audience know the stakes. On top of any emotional hits, there’s something clear and distinct that the movie is working towards. There are known risks and dangers, which only serves to heighten what the pilots are going through.
To be fair, it’s still an immaculate vibes movie. Director Joseph Kosinski and writers Ehren Kruger, Eric Warren Singer, and Christopher McQuarrie know what made the 1986 movie such a hit, and there’s clear evidence they made a conscious choice to make sure Maverick retained those qualities.
Maverick also hits on a surprising emotional level. The better story helps, sure. But it also has the benefit of building off what Top Gun set up. You have Maverick still dealing with the aftermath of Goose’s death, even three decades later. And now that he’s confronted about it head on with Rooster, it adds an extra level of emotional depth. As much as I love Kelly McGillis in the original, the love story between Maverick and Penny also works better here.
The movie makes it clear right away that the two have a past together, and the great chemistry between Cruise and Connelly makes you believe it. The crew only has so much time before they have to be mission ready that it wouldn’t feel right setting Maverick up with someone new. There would be no time to start and develop a relationship to the point it would need to be. With how important Penny ends up being, having their established history makes it much easier to buy into it all.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg for the cast. Cruise is the unquestioned star, and he gets the chance to truly act here, something that several of his recent roles haven’t allowed for. And the man’s still got it. Of course he still oozes charm and charisma and has the high energy you expect. But he absolutely nails the tougher, emotional beats too. And the rest of the cast brings it too (mostly). As mentioned, Hamm is completely wasted. And Ed Harris shows up for a couple minutes as no-nonsense Rear Admiral Chester “Hammer” Cain. He was fine, but it felt weird having someone like Harris for such a nothing part. But the rest of the cast is great.
Teller gets the meatiest role as Goose’s son, and he proves up the challenge. He’s not quite up to his (what I consider his) career best work in Whiplash, but he’s still pretty great. Glen Powell plays Lt. Jake “Hangman” Seresin and Powell might just be the single most charming person alive. Even as the arrogant Hangman, the natural charm can’t help but shine through. If you doubt that, immediately go watch Everybody Wants Some!! then watch it again because that movie is awesome and then watch Set It Up.
Those two get the most to do of the other lieutenants. But Monica Barbaro, Lewis Pullman, Jay Ellis, Danny Ramirez, and Greg Davis all get some fun moments as fellow pilots. And Val Kilmer even shows up for a scene with Cruise, which ends up being one of the movie’s best.
Well, I’m nearly 1,000 words into this and haven’t gotten to the aerial footage and stunts yet. Um, it all rocks? I’m not sure what else to say. It’s some of the most awesome, jaw-dropping footage you’ll ever see. Just like Maverick took big steps up in the story, characters, and emotions, it takes even bigger steps in the stunts. Everyone went all out, and it pays off big time. It’s maybe not even worth trying to put into words, because no written description can come close to doing it justice. Just know that it’s all awesome. Watch the movie and you’ll immediately see what I mean.
But if you need further convincing, these two videos go behind the scenes on how they achieved such stunning shots. They’re well worth your time.
Top Gun: Maverick has it all. A great story, creating its own identity while paying respect to and keeping present what made the 1986 movie so fun and popular, fun, fully-formed characters, and spectacular visuals. It even has an absolute banger of a credit song, Lady Gaga’s “Hold My Hand.” I saw this movie on May 16, and the number of times I’ve already listened to that song should be enough to secure it a spot in my Spotify Most Played songs at the end of the year. Just like the movie, the song rules so hard.
And that’s basically the bottom line for Top Gun: Maverick. It rules. It’s exactly what you want out of a Top Gun sequel and exactly what you want out of a big summer blockbuster. It will, time and again, take your breath away.
Score: 94/100
