“Top Gun: Maverick” takes off with a roar, delivering a thrilling flight of fancy that satisfies fans of the original 1986 blockbuster and newcomers alike. Tom Cruise reprises his role as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, the rebellious test pilot who has been called back to the elite Top Gun school to train a new generation of hotshot fliers. More than three decades after the first film, Cruise is still at the top of his game, pushing the limits of human endurance and delivering the thrills with effortless cool.
Cruise is the undisputed star of the film, but the supporting cast shines as well. Ed Harris and Jon Hamm play navy bigwigs who want to retire Maverick, while Miles Teller co-stars as Rooster, the cocky son of Maverick’s former wingman Goose. Val Kilmer returns as Iceman, now an admiral battling cancer, while Glen Powell plays Hangman, a rival pilot who takes on Maverick in a swagger showdown.
Director Joseph Kosinski knows how to put the “Top Gun” franchise through its paces, delivering stunning aerial photography that takes full advantage of the navy’s assistance. The film’s dogfighting scenes are breathtaking, capturing the dangerous thrill of high-speed flight with stunning realism. And yet, for all its excitement, “Top Gun: Maverick” finds time for real feelings, giving Cruise and the supporting cast the chance to cut through the fireworks with genuine emotion.
It’s been 36 years since the original film, but “Top Gun: Maverick” proves that the spirit of Maverick and Cruise’s easy cool are still as powerful as ever. The film is unapologetically over the top about American imperialism, but even its detractors have developed a fondness for the can-do spirit personified by Cruise.
Development on the film started in 2010, when Paramount Pictures offered to make a sequel to Top Gun, with Tom Cruise reprising his role. Joseph Kosinski was hired as the director in 2017 and the film was officially revived in 2014 with Justin Marks writing the screenplay. The film’s script was later revised by Eric Warren Singer, Christopher McQuarrie, and Ehren Kruger. The cast of the film included Cruise, Val Kilmer, Jennifer Connelly, Miles Teller, and many others. Filming took place on various locations including San Diego, California, Seattle, and Maryland. The film was shot in IMAX format using IMAX-certified Sony Venice 6K Full Frame cameras, and the crew shot more than 800 hours of aerial footage. The post-production and editing works were supervised by Joseph Kosinski.
Box Office Success and Oscar Nominations
“Top Gun: Maverick” brought in 1.5 billion dollars worldwide and received six Oscar nominations, including Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay), Original Song (Lady Gaga’s “Hold My Hand”), Best Sound, Best Visual Effects, and Best Picture at the 95th Academy Awards.
“Top Gun: Maverick” may be a nostalgia trip for fans of the original, but it’s also a thrilling and emotionally resonant adventure that stands on its own. Whether you’re a fan of the original or a newcomer to the franchise, you won’t want to miss this pulse-pounding ride.
