Director: Joseph Kosinski
Screenplay: Ehren Kruger, Eric Warren Singer,
Christopher McQuarrie
Cast: Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Miles Teller,
Jennifer Connelly, Bashir Salahuddin, Jon Hamm, Monica Barbaro, Glen Powell, Lewis Pullman
Top Gun Maverick starts with giving away the history of Top Gun, how fighter weapons to school were formed and was named Top Gun, followed by its most popular theme song where pilots show off their skills. The audience also gets a sneak preview of old photographs picturing Pete "Maverick" Mitchell (Tom Cruise) and his late friend Goose.
Lt Pete "Maverick" Mitchell (Tom Cruise) who is now a captain, has been a fighter pilot for over 30 years at the Top Gun. He is now called as an instructor to train its top pilots that includes Lt Bradley Bradshaw (Miles Teller) aka Rooster, the son of Maverick’s late friend Goose. Maverick, who first refuses to work as an instructor, eventually gives in to train the pilots. Val Kilmer who is playing Adm. Tom 'Iceman' Kazansky, encourages Maverick to take up the position and also asks him to confront his past and sense of guilt by preparing his late friend Goose’s son Lt Bradley Bradshaw.
Meanwhile, he tries to create a bond with Lt Bradshaw who is mad at Maverick for pulling out his papers and discouraging him from becoming a fighter pilot.
There are some interesting dialogues which not only define the character but also set the tone of the movie. "Thirty-plus years of service. Combat medals. Citations. Only man to shoot down three enemy planes in the last 40 years. Yet you can't get a promotion, you won't retire, and despite your best efforts, YOU REFUSE TO DIE......" shows you that Pete Maverick is here to stay and slay.
The best part of this movie is that one gets to see adaptations of the popular scenes from the cult classic Top Gun 1986, be it playing sport on the beach with fellow teammates or Tom Cruise chasing a fighter plane on his superbike. Also, they have beautifully adapted "Great Balls Of Fire '' song sequence where Maverick sees his late friend Goose’s son Lt Bradley Bradshaw playing the song in the bar, reminding him of his old days with Goose.
Once again, you relive the bond and friendship which comes in a different way in this movie. Director Kosinski maintains the charm, racy and bravado storyline taking it to a new level of emotions and camaraderie.
The performances of all the characters are promising. The director has weaved emotions effectively throughout the movie. There are no exaggerations or superficial acting, just pilots who you want to win in their mission. Having said that, the director decided to keep it hearty which gets unrealistic at one point.
You get a feeling that the movie has been directed in a manner, where there will be just good endings and no deaths, to appease the audience. In one scene, Tom Cruise aka Maverick decides to take the prototype to its Mach 10-speed objective, and he reaches but decides to push further into high-hypersonic speed, resulting in the prototype's destruction. But, Maverick is seen walking away with minor bruises.
Tom Cruise does not fail to charm, despite his age. Remember, he’s 59!
Gen Z should definitely brush up their knowledge before seeing Top Gun Maverick, as many scenes are beautifully depicted showing a connection with its prequel, be it songs or scenes. This movie will appeal to those who enjoy the real action scenes and which are depicted flawlessly.
