The original Top Gun is a classic. It has all the makings of a great blockbuster: high-octane action, a killer soundtrack, and a steamy romance. It comes from a time when a movie’s stars were the main attraction, and Tom Cruise is debatably the greatest movie star alive today. With Cruise still active in the Mission: Impossible franchise, it makes sense that Paramount would make another Top Gun. A notable credit on Top Gun: Maverick is Christopher McQuarrie, director of the last two Mission: Impossible films and the two upcoming installments.
A second Top Gun has been a long time coming. The wait became even longer due to the pandemic. I was so tired of seeing the trailer in theaters over and over. And make no mistake. It was the same trailer, save for the release date. A moviegoer behind me even complained they’d seen the trailer eleven times.
Fortunately, Top Gun: Maverick is quite good—especially for an unnecessary sequel. Many elements that made the original work are present, but with a new perspective. It’s like if The Force Awakens introduced a new generation of characters while keeping Luke Skywalker the protagonist. Capt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Cruise), the movie’s namesake, is the chief character through and through. And he’s still the reckless flyboy we know and love.
Maverick’s relationship with Rooster (Miles Teller), son of his late wingman Goose (Anthony Edwards), is where the film shines. Rooster has a basic character arc. It’s the execution that counts. With his shades and mustache, Teller emulates Edwards to great effect. It makes sense that someone who lost his father would try to grow up to be just like him.
Maverick’s love story with Penny (Jennifer Connelly) the bartender is more awkward. Maverick never mentions his previous flame, Charlie (Kelly McGillis), leaving us to wonder what happened between them. That romance had more electricity, with Maverick serenading her with “You Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” and a bedroom scene featuring “Take My Breath Away.” The movie makes up for it with the return of Ice Man (Val Kilmer), who the film utilizes in a surprising way.
However, the main reason anyone goes to a Top Gun movie is to see planes fly, and there are a lot of aerial scenes. Like in the original, the filmmakers partnered with the Navy to showcase real aircraft. This results in more in-camera action than other modern blockbusters. There is admittedly more CGI than I would’ve liked in the final act, but the excitement of it also sold me on the film. The sequel improves the cockpit shots, which utilized unconvincing rear projection in the original. The jets also deploy flares to ward of missiles, something the original lacked.
I walked out of the theater satisfied with Top Gun: Maverick. It’s easy to say it’s the best way to watch the movies—particularly if you can see it in IMAX or Dolby Cinema. I believe watching any movie on your phone is wrong, and doubly so for a film like this. If you liked the first one, you should go.
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