TOP GUN MAVERICK

US, 2022, 130 minutes, Colour.

Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connolly, Bashir Salahuddin, Jon Hamm, Charles Parnell, Monica Barbaro, Lewis Pullman, Jay Ellis, Danny Ramirez, Glenn Powell.

Directed by Joseph Kosinski.

It seems that everybody thinks that this is a top sequel – and it is breaking box office records. Which is a phenomenon in itself, insofar as the original Top Gun came out in 1986, 36 years earlier! While there is always younger audience for an action film, with this sequel, it means that those who were, say 20, in 1986 and now moving toward 60! But they are moving towards the cinemas to enjoy this sequel.

Of course, there are some naysayers, especially those who would like to put Tom Cruise in his place. However, this sequel establishes what Tom 23’s place in cinema history is, a career which began in 1981, established himself as a popular star, (at times) that he could act, Born on 4 July, Magnolia, but that he could be an action hero, everybody knowing that he does his own stunts, with his Mission Impossible series. So, a very high place in popular cinema. And, here he is, almost 60 at the time of Top Gun Maverick’s release.

So, what has been Mitchell, Maverick, been doing over 36 years! He has not risen in the ranks, seemingly content with his work, seeing him initially trying to break Mach 10 as the film opens, defying a cranky commander (Ed Harris). But, he has his supporters. And he is surprised to be asked to come back to instruct the popular, ultra self-confident young Top Guns, for a particular mission, destroying a nuclear reactor in the desert situation rather like the unnamed Iran.

Maverick does get a chance to go to the local bar and to meet a past girlfriend, Penny (Jennifer Connolly) which does give the occasion for some dialogue to fill in a bit of detail of what Maverick has been doing, as well as some flashbacks to the original film (and a reminder that Meg Ryan was in Top Gun).

There are also plenty of photos to remind us of the first film, Val Kilmer, Iceman, now in command, but unwell, a cameo from Val Kilmer himself, unable to speak but with a special effects contrived voice. There are photos of Goose (Anthony Edwards), and some drama with his son, alienated from Maverick because of his father’s death. This will be the central conflict but, of course, ultimately resolved. Miles Teller plays the son and he is up against the ultra-vain Hangman (Glenn Powell) in rivalry for positions in the raid.

So, plenty of drama and interactions, a severe commander (Jon Hamm), training, rehearsals, dogfights to prepare for the raid. And, whether you are a fan or not, you have to admit that the raid itself, the effects, the planes and flight, the exciting editing, mean that we are engrossed. And, when we seem to have got our money’s worth, there is another 15 minutes of exciting action as a bonus.

Popular consensus would indicate that it was worth the 36 years wait!

1. The impact of the film itself? As a sequel? The touch of the mystique? Tom cruise, iconic, the character of Maverick and his action?
2. The box office, the film reviews – welcoming the sequel? The gap of 36 years? The potential audience of older viewers in 2022?
3. Audience appreciation of the original film, from the 80s, the young men and women, top guns, skills, pilots, action, risks, deaths? Heroes, bonding, romance? The musical score? The ethos of the 80s?
4. Tom Cruise nearing 60, appearance, fit, doing his own stunts? Smile, charm on screen? His character of Pete Mitchell, codename Maverick, in retirement, the screenplay filling in what he had done over the decades, the relationship with Penny? Loner, on his bike? The testing of the Plains, the commander stopping the testing, Mach 10? Achieving it? His being summoned to instruct the younger generation? The severity of the commander? His support from his team?
5. Maverick, in the bar, meeting Penny, the past relationships, ringing the bell, paying for the drinks? Is listening to the young generation, their bravado? Bradshaw, memories of abuse and his death, Bradshaw’s resentment, Maverick holding him up from entering training, the wishes of his mother? The setting up of the resentment and antagonism?
6. The mission, the explanations, the diagrams, a country like Iran, nuclear reactor, hidden, the mountains, the risks, the dangers, the weapons? The explanation of the mission, the details of the training, the pilots in pairs, 12, the group to be whittled down? In action, their reaction to Maverick? The dogfights and his defeating all of them, their having to do the push-ups?
7. The relationship with Bradshaw, the discussions, his own skills, the contrast with the smugness of Hangman? The other members of the group, Phoenix and the female presence, Bob the seeming nerd, the other members? Their skills?
8. Relaxing, the bar? The contrast with the authorities, the commander quite humourless? Disapproving of Maverick?
9. The date coming up sooner, the need for training, the techniques, targeting, steep climb and the physical effects? The testing, Mavericks choices, including Bradshaw as wing man? Hangman not being included?
10. Maverick, taking the plane, showing that the mission could be achieved and on time? His being appointed leader of the expedition?
11. The details of the operation, the flights, the dangers, counter-attack, the targeting? The pace and editing for the film and audiences sharing the excitement? Maverick down? Bradshaw’s reaction, his return?
12. The achievement of the mission but the extra film bonus for more action, Maverick on the ground, threatened, the helicopter, Bradshaw destroying it, on the ground, taking the enemy plane, the getaway, the steep rise, radio contact?
13. The achievement, the bond between Bradshaw and Maverick, each saving each other’s life?
14. Maverick, settling down, Penny, her daughter, his reputation and achievement?