Almost 36 years after Top Gun took the world by storm, Tom Cruise is finally back in the ‘danger zone' in the long-awaited sequel Top Gun: Maverick, with Joseph Kosinski taking over as director from the late great Tony Scott. The original is beloved for its iconic soundtrack, stunning visuals, and bombastic swagger. However, nostalgia arguably plays a large part in the Top Gun craze being so prevalent today; in many ways, the film does live in the ‘80s. Therefore, a big question looming over this project was how will Cruise and co. deliver the Top Gun people know and love in 2022? After years of waiting, Hollywood's very own Maverick has not only delivered a breathtaking spectacle in a way only he can, but he does so while updating and far surpassing the original in every way possible, taking our breath away once again.
In Maverick, we follow the journey of Peter “Maverick” Mitchell (Cruise), who, despite his accolades, remains a test pilot to avoid advancing up the Navy ranks. After being summoned by his old pal ‘Iceman' (Val Kilmer), Maverick must adapt and face his fears by returning to Top Gun to train elite graduates – including ‘Rooster' (Miles Teller), the son of Maverick's late best friend Nick ‘Goose' Bradshaw – for a dangerous mission.
Despite over 30 years passing and Maverick being forced into the role of teacher, this sequel wastes no time putting audiences back into the world they know and love. From “Danger Zone” playing in the background, Maverick's famous bike, shades, and jacket combo, to a gripping and dramatic flight sequence that offers a nice tease into the stunning practical aerial sequences, Maverick's opening scenes excellently tug on nostalgia and welcome new audiences to the Danger Zone. But perhaps more importantly, the film quickly establishes Maverick's relationship with Penny (Jennifer Connelly) and Rooster, which provide the all-important emotional core that enhances the spectacle and helps Kosinski's blockbuster find a perfect balance of story and spectacle.
The talented cast of Maverick all deliver strong performances, from Cruise in particular, who effortlessly commands every scene with his undeniable charisma. Each frame of the film feels grand, be it a simple close-up or an aerial shot. Though what allows this long-awaited sequel to surpass the original is the fact no sole element stands out over another. The greatest strength of Kosinski's film is the balance of its necessary ingredients, a specialty of Christopher McQuarrie, who unsurprisingly serves as one of the writers. A brilliant illustration of this balance is Maverick watching Rooster play the piano and getting everybody in the bar to sing “Great Balls of Fire,” giving our hero a flashback to him and Goose doing the very same thing. The scene provides audiences with nostalgia while bringing back the cheesy swagger of the original and ignites an emotional spark as we witness a watery-eyed Maverick realising the importance of his upcoming journey.
Emotion can often be an afterthought in blockbusters, but it is very much at the heart of Maverick, much more so than the 1986 instalment. It's the true guiding force of the film as the heart-to-heart scenes often set up and, more importantly, enhance the grandeur of flight sequences that follow. Kilmer and Cruise's memorable scene is a poignant example of this, as is Maverick's endearing relationship with Penny. Cruise and Connelly's chemistry is excellent, and their relationship proves to be a brilliant tool for injecting humour or emotion at the appropriate times. Penny symbolically shares lessons that Maverick needs to apply in his life, and Maverick confides in Penny by sharing details of his complex relationship with Rooster. This also paints Cruise's character in a more sympathetic light compared to his 1986 version, thus making our desire to see Maverick succeed greater.
As expected, every aerial sequence is stunning. The actors legitimately being in the air during scenes truly captures the G-force. It amplifies every close call and last-minute swerve which raises the heart rate, particularly in the epic climax. It's truly a big screen experience only Tom Cruise can provide. However, Top Gun: Maverick is, unfortunately, brought down at times by an overreliance on nostalgia and an overindulgence in the so-called “cheesy” elements which won't have the desired impact on those less enamoured with Top Gun.
Considering all the elements involved, moviegoers will arguably never experience anything like Top Gun: Maverick again. Making Ed Harris' words to Cruise in the film about people like him becoming extinct quite prophetic, as it doesn't appear anyone can or will ever replace Tom Cruise. Overall, Maverick is undoubtedly worth the wait for long-time fans of the franchise, it will amaze new fans, and it will surely make the world feel the need for speed once again.
Top Gun: Maverick hits UK cinemas on May 25th.
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