Maverick!

It took all of a few seconds into Top Gun: Maverick to become nostalgic of the past. It’s been 36 years since Top Gun flew into theaters and cemented Tom Cruise as a movie star.

The Story and the Cast

Set three decades after the original, we find that not much has changed for Maverick. He is still a Captain and defies orders when possible. There are some high ranking officials think it’s time for Maverick to hang up his wings. However, there is still have one person in the Navy that believes in him, Admiral Tom “Iceman” Kazansky (Val Kilmer). Iceman wants Maverick to train an elite group of pilots for an urgent mission. Maverick doesn’t see himself as a trainer. And having his late best friend’s son Bradley (Miles Teller) be one of the trainees, Maverick wants no part of it. Iceman convinces him to let go of the past. Bradley doesn’t hold Maverick responsible for his father’s death. He does however resent him for holding back his application to the Academy, setting back his Naval career.

Between a trainee who doesn’t trust him and a Vice Admiral who doesn’t want him, Maverick has his work cut out for him. So what’s a hotshot Navy Captain to do? He rekindles with his old flame Penny Benjamin (Jennifer Connolly). Penny offers Maverick a sympathetic ear and some guidance on how to not only deal with Bradley but to how to make a team out of his pilots.

As the clock ticks down, the elite group of pilots are good but clearly not ready for such a mission. Vice Admiral “Cyclone” Simpson (Jon Hamm) opposes Maverick’s risky methods and tactics. He wants a by the book conservative approach. Well, that’s not Maverick’s style. Maverick shows off his piloting skills by “borrowing” a plane and knocks out the test target. A reluctant Cyclone then appoints him to lead the strike team.

The film’s final act centers around trust, team work and redemption. In between all of that is some of the finest aerial footage ever filmed. If you thought the original was impressive, wait till you see this film.

Cast

Tom Cruise leads a wonderful cast. Cruise is in his element when it comes to action films. The casting of Miles Teller as Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw is about as perfect as it gets. His uncanny resemblance to Anthony Edward’s Goose makes you think they are father and son in real life. Jennifer Connolly as Penny is the mature love interest that Maverick at this stage of his life needs. As for Val Kilmer, his role was reduced due to real life health issues brought on by cancer. His presence may have been brief but the emotion felt throughout the theater was a lasting one.

The supporting cast led by veteran actors Ed Harris, Hamm and Charles Parnell balances out the performances of their young colleagues. The ending credits montage hearkens back to the original with music by Lady Gaga.

Overall Thoughts

The flying sequences alone make Maverick a must see film. Director Joseph Kosinski does a wonderful job showcasing the almost superhuman abilities of today’s Naval Aviators. In so many ways, Top Gun is a love letter to the brave men and women who protect our country from the skies above. Maverick was made with the fans in mind. It touches on all the right chords. Is some of it predicable? Of course. Not too many action films aren’t. Not too many films in general for that matter. With that said, Maverick is a worthy sequel and a timely one at that. It’s timely because this Nation needs healing to find its swagger and its pride again.