Returning to one of his most iconic roles, Tom Cruise is back as hot shot Navy pilot Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell for this long awaited sequel to 1986’s Top Gun.
Directed by Joseph Kosinski the film finds Cruise’s Maverick pushing boundaries as a test pilot for the navy , when he’s called back to Top Gun to train a team of hot shot graduates for a special, but seemingly impossible mission.
To complicate matters, the team includes Lt Bradley ‘Rooster’ Bradshaw, son of Maverick’s late friend and partner ‘Goose’.
With ghosts of the past rearing their head, and superiors raising doubts about him, Maverick must be at his very best to confront his demons and pass his unique skills onto the team, if the crucial assignment is to be a success.
Cruise, who’s now approaching 60, is showing no signs of slowing down and his passion for this film is clear to see. The actor insists on doing all his own stunts, and here not only flew the F/A-18 fighter jets but personally developed a flight training program for the other actors to undertake before filming began. As a result the flight scenes are utterly thrilling, edge of the seat entertainment.
The script which has five credited writers, including regular Cruise collaborator Christopher McQuarrie, gets the tone just right, completely recapturing the spirit of the Tony Scott original. From the opening bong of the iconic theme, which is followed by a fighter jet montage set to Kenny Loggins classic Danger Zone, it’s clear we’re in safe hands.
Cruise is joined in the cast by Jennifer Connelly as new love interest Penny, and the pairs charming bond anchors the film.
Maverick’s young team of pilots is made up of actors Glen Powell, Jay Ellis, Lewis Pullman, Monica Barbaro, and Miles Teller, who takes on the key role of Rooster.
There’s even room for a touching cameo from the Iceman, with Val Kilmer bravely reprising the part despite his ongoing battle with throat cancer.
Much like the original, the film does at times drift into overly earnest territory which borders on cheesy, but by then it has earned the right to do so.
Kosinski and his team manage to hit all the nostalgic beats fans will be craving, without it ever feeling derivative.
The final over the top half hour stretches plausibility to the limit, but is so ‘punch the air’ euphoric that few will care.
With so many mediocre legacy sequels popping up, Top Gun: Maverick is a shining example of how to do it right and is guaranteed to have you exiting the cinema with a massive grin.
An irresistible mix of nostalgia, thrilling aerial action and emotional stakes, all coupled with an absolutely magnetic performance from its lead actor.
Definitely one to catch on the biggest screen possible, while you can.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Paul Steward
@grittster
13/06/22