It’s time to return to the danger zone as 36 years after the original 80s classic was released, Tom Cruise has returned to the role that arguably made him a Hollywood star. Having never seen the original movie, it was my time to feel the need for speed as Top Gun: Maverick is out on Blu-ray and DVD.
After more than 30 years of service as a top naval aviator, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Cruise) is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot. Yet, Maverick must confront the ghosts of his past when he returns to TOP GUN to train a group of elite graduates and comes face-to-face with Lt. Bradshaw (Miles Teller), the son of his former wingman, “Goose”. Bitter rivalries ignite as the pilots prepare for a specialised mission, which will require the ultimate sacrifice from those chosen to fly it.
Even though this is a sequel to a movie I never saw, it didn’t take away the pure joy I had watching it, and it’s easily one of the best movies of the year.
There are a lot of reasons for that statement. Cruise always said he’d only return to the character if the script was right. In the hands of his Mission: Impossible collaborator Christopher McQuarrie, the screenplay is brilliantly written for both story and character.
The next is Joseph Kosinski’s direction (someone the 60-year-old actor previously on 2013’s Oblivion), and it’s top draw, especially everything inside and outside the jets, which was jaw-dropping how they got those shots. I think this movie has changed the game regarding filming vehicle sequences.
The final reason is Cruise himself. This is a terrifically acted performance, and while I cry more in films in my older age, he was always the reason for that and it wasn’t just the dialogue but his facial expressions. While off-screen, he was clearly a very hands-on producer with getting his co-stars the training and preparation to be in this film and was hands-on with both direction and story.
All these reasons clearly paid off, as this film is now the highest-grossing box office film of Cruise’s career and I won’t be surprised if it gets into the Best Film Oscar nomination discussion.
Elsewhere, the supporting cast were fantastic. Teller was stellar as Rooster being that consent ghost in Maverick’s life and, in reverse, wanting to prove himself to the man his dad saw as a brother. Then you have Glen Powell, who is a Hollywood star in the making, and Monica Barbaro, who I won’t be surprised becomes a bigger name.
Then you have the return of Val Kilmer’s Iceman, and his scene with Cruise was heartbreaking.
I must admit, whilst watching Top gun: Maverick, I could stop thinking about No Time To Die. Both these films have a lot of similarities – the older iconic character is introduced to the new, younger generation and is hunted by his past – but in every category, Top Gun beats the 25th James Bond film, and again it is simply down to the writing.
I don’t want to focus too much and give away anything, but it’s amazing what an ending can do to your feelings towards a movie.
Are There Bonus Features?
Yes, and they’re an interesting watch from the commit Cruise and co to the filming of the jet scenes. If you’re a fan of filmmaking, I highly recommend watching them.
You also get music films from Lady Gaga and One Republic.
Verdict
Top Gun: Maverick is one of the best films of 2022. Fantastically written script, direction and performances from Cruise and his supporting cast.
Certificate – 12
Directed By – Joseph Kosinski
Starring – Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Val Kilmer, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Bashir Salahuddin, Monica Barbaro, Glen Powell, Charles Parnell, Lewis Pullman, Jay Ellis.
Running Time – 130 Minutes (2 Hours 10 Minutes)
Top Gun: Maverick is available now to Download & Keep and on 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™ and DVD.
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