“I feel the need. The need for speed.” So many memorable quotes come to mind when I think of the film, ‘Top Gun,’ and when it comes to describing the sequel that is just so great, I have to say to ‘Top Gun: Maverick,’ I’m definitely feeling the need for speed!
Engines roar louder and the skies are filled with more need for speed in this magnificently, entertaining high powered film, ‘Top Gun: Maverick.’ 36 years ago, disobedient, rebellious Maverick lost his wingman Goose, resolved any tension he had with Iceman and ended up ranking as Captain. 36 years later, director Joseph Kosinski and screenwriters, Ehren Kruger, Eric Warren Singer and Christopher McQuarrie, not only resurrect rivalry, tragedy and triumph but welcome new faces and spin all these elements into a thrilling, heartfelt tear dwelling but majestic masterpiece from beginning to end.
What makes ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ the best cinematic piece to ever hit the screen is the fact that no CGI took place when filming. The actors all underwent hardcore training which included fitness and underwater endurance tests and much more. They all trained as if they were training to receive a pilot license. The actors flew in a single engine plane to build up spatial awareness then moved onto L-39’s where they learned what it feels like in a jet that pulls G-forces up to 7. They were also thrown in the Extra 300L where they did a lot of aerobatics. They then moved to F18’s where they launched off an aircraft carrier and while the flying took place, the actors had to learn how to run the cameras to film themselves. Thanks to Tom Cruise, he was able to get naval aviators controlling the flying to do some amazing stunts with the cast for this movie. Everything seen in this film is 100 percent real authenticity and gives a fresh take of being nostalgic and brand new at the same time.
The appealing part of this sequel is the continuity from the basic storyline from the first film, ‘Top Gun’ and the 80’s nostalgia when it comes to using the Top Gun anthem song and transitioning to Kenny Loggins song, ‘Danger Zone.’ As we saw in the first film, Maverick and his wingman Goose are sent to an elite Navy training school, Top Gun, where they meet Tom Kazansky aka Iceman (played by Val Kilmer). Tension arises between Maverick and Iceman, due Iceman seeing Maverick as reckless and dangerous and the obvious reason for who is the best fighter pilot in the sky. We are also introduced to Goose’s family Carole and Bradley as well as Charlotte Blackwood, Top Gun’s instructor and Maverick’s love interest. In an unfortunate event, Goose dies and Maverick is left with guilt and grief. As time moves on, Maverick and Iceman are sent on their first official mission, where we see Maverick save Iceman’s life from several enemy MiG’s. Once they return to the aircraft carrier, we see the beginning of a friendship and Iceman’s newfound respect for Maverick when he says, “You can be my wingman anytime.”
Here we are 36 years later where ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ takes and builds upon the elements of the first original film ‘Top Gun,’ which makes it the best legacy sequel to ever hit the big screen. The beauty of this film is the bond between pilots and how those bonds haunt Maverick throughout the film. In the opening of ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ we discover that even though Maverick is recognized as a distinguished fighter pilot, he is also recognized as someone who continues to push the limits of his superiors and defy orders. If you ask me, it would not be Maverick if this film did not bring back the Maverick we knew in ‘86. While he defied yet another order and was close to being grounded once and for all, Maverick is sent back to ‘Top Gun,’ to train and teach a new group of elite pilots to take out a heavily guarded nuclear plant.
However, Maverick is hesitant to take on this position as an instructor when his old friend and former wingman's son, Bradley Bradshaw, call sign ‘Rooster,’ is listed as one of his students. While he lost Goose in the first film, he fears that Rooster will suffer the same fate. We also learn that Maverick tried to protect Rooster when he revealed how, to his old flame Penny Benjamin. If you remember from the first Top Gun, the name Penny Benjamin is mentioned but not seen and is known as the Admiral’s daughter who Maverick had a fling with. Guilt and tension arise when Rooster and Maverick interact. We also get a flashback and bittersweet moment when Rooster pays tribute to a memory we’ve seen from the first original film. When it comes to rivalry, almost like Iceman and Maverick, Rooster and another pilot Jake Seresin also known as Hangman, fight for the title of leader when it comes to who will be sent out on their very own first official mission.
Rooster has his own reservations while in training and is hesitant to push his limits despite knowing how much it is going to take to succeed in the upcoming mission. Rooster also masks the simple truth that Maverick has thought throughout the film which is, he’ll end up like his father when he says “My father believed in you. I’m not going to make the same mistake.”
While we see the struggle of guilt and emotions Maverick undergoes, he turns to an old rival-turned friend and guardian angel who has bailed Maverick out for years and got him the position at Top Gun. This moment in the film was the unexpected tearjerker and I’m super glad that this was included because it brings back the nostalgia and feeling I have when watching the first film. While visiting his friend, he is convinced that it is time to let go and therefore leads Maverick to break down those emotional barriers and reveal that he does not want to fail Rooster like he failed Goose. “The Navy needs Maverick. The kid needs Maverick. That’s why I fought for you. That ‘s why you’re still here.” And this is true. There is no better pilot to train these new pilots other than Maverick himself.
This was not only the best part of the film but the turning point of many elements of the movie including Maverick overcoming his overwhelming guilt, Rooster finally pushes past his frustration with Maverick leading to both of them building a bond of trust and partnership. The rest of elite pilots who were all eager to be the best of the best and knit picking at each other in the beginning of the film also grow and learn to join together to fight as a team and protect each other to ensure they come home from a dangerous but successful mission.
After seeing this movie for the fourth time, it still hits immensely as great as it did the first time I watched it. I can only imagine what it was like to film this and the type of work and dedication it took but I can say this must have been an exceptional team to be a part of. Never has a movie made me want to experience flying like never before and wanting to be a part of an energetic, high thrilling team of elite pilots like ‘Top Gun: Maverick.’ It is the first movie I’ve seen that makes me feel both nostalgic and brand new at the same time. If this film is not nominated for best picture or some other nominated title then we must not know what a true masterpiece is. ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ deserves an over the top rating. If you have not seen it yet, what are you waiting for? There really is no other film like this. It is the hypersonic blockbuster I didn’t know I wanted and needed. Go feel the need for speed in a new danger zone!
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