Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

The original “Top Gun” is fine. I completely understand why the pulsating soundtrack, high-flying action and straight-faced machismo appeal to so many movie-goers, but in my eyes, it’s a significantly dated affair. Therefore, when a sequel three decades after the fact was announced, I had little interest. I expected some striking visual spectacle, as this is a Tom Cruise film after all, but I didn’t go in expecting much more.

However, I was absolutely blown away by “Top Gun: Maverick”, which is without a doubt one of the most captivating, ridiculously enjoyable and suspenseful cinematic experiences I’ve ever had! This is a film so expertly crafted to illicit every positive reaction from its audience; whether you’re hanging off your seat, cheering or crying, “Top Gun: Maverick” effortlessly hits every emotional note. Walking out of the cinema after both viewings, I felt a sense of elation that took days to wear off. It’s no wonder that this film has become such a colossal, universally beloved cultural phenomenon, as this type of old-school, feel-good crowd pleaser is something we rarely see on the big screen anymore. “Top Gun: Maverick” is one of the finest blockbusters in recent memory and will almost certainly remain as my number one favourite film of 2022.

Tom Cruise proves once again that he is at the apex of the action genre, pushing himself and the rest of the cast and crew to the limit to create the best adrenaline-fuelled thrill ride possible. The fact that Cruise was almost sixty during the production of this film is truly astonishing. Beyond the sheer physical toll that “Top Gun: Maverick” must have cost, Cruise pours his heart and soul into his performance, delivering a vulnerable yet steadfast turn that allows Maverick to be far more human and heroic than the original film allowed. He may have some unusual beliefs, but the man sure knows how to make a movie! As filmgoers, we are so lucky that Cruise and his team continue to work this hard for our collective enjoyment. I’m already counting down the weeks until I can see “Mission: Impossible- Dead Reckoning Part One” on the biggest screen possible!

The supporting cast should also be commended for not only standing out in what could have become a one-note star vehicle, but also acting their socks off, adjusting their hair and make-up and operating a camera, all whilst rocketing through the air in F/A-18s! It cannot be understated what an immense accomplishment this film truly is and every actor here deserves a standing ovation for their work.

It goes without saying that the action sequences in “Top Gun: Maverick” are utterly mind-boggling. Having witnessed several painfully average, CGI-soaked action movies in recent months, like “Jurassic World: Dominion” and “The Grey Man” (both of which lack any sense of danger or realism), “Top Gun: Maverick” is yet another refreshing reminder that real-world, practical action is always going to reign supreme in this genre. Every set-piece here is absorbing and enthralling on a level few films manage to reach. I’m not ashamed to admit I unconsciously swivelled in my seat a few times throughout the film to mimic the swooping movements of the fighters! Although each sequence follows a similar visual pattern, I never grew tired of watching the actors inside the cockpits or marvelling at the jets performing electrifying stunts.

The film wisely takes its time to build to its magnificent finale, using every test flight and mission briefing to rack up the tension to an enormous degree. By the time we witness the glorious image of Maverick’s jet hurtling away from the air craft carrier, we understand exactly what the objective is, the obstacles facing the characters and how high the stakes are, thus intensifying the dread and excitement.

The cinematography and sound design in “Top Gun: Maverick” are outstanding. Not only are the shots of the fighter jets absolutely breath-taking, the scenes on the ground are also stunning. The film is bathed in a rich, golden light, with every sequence perfectly lit and staged to capture that signature 80s aesthetic. The sound design is equally superb, the roaring jets, the missile detonations and the excellent soundtrack are combined to create a spectacular audio-visual experience.

What surprised me the most though is the strong emotional core of “Maverick.” Despite having no investment in the original, I was riveted and moved by the character arcs here. The reunion between Maverick and Val Kilmar’s Iceman was touching, whilst the relationship between Cruise and Jennifer Connelly’s characters felt authentic and natural, a huge improvement over the snore fest love story in the 1986 “Top Gun.” But the real centre of this movie is the tumultuous relationship between Maverick and Rooster, played by Miles Teller. Maverick and Goose’s friendship is one of the highlights of the first film, but “Top Gun: Maverick” elevates it by providing a complicated surrogate father-son dynamic that builds upon the foundation of the original. Admittedly, you could argue that it's a bit sentimental, but the film wears its heart on its sleeve and is all the more rewarding for doing so.

Awe-inspiring, immersive, captivating and stupendously entertaining, "Top Gun: Maverick" is the greatest legacy sequel ever made. Those moments of nail-biting tension, jaw-dropping wonder and cheer-worthy euphoria are reminders of the unparalleled power of the big screen experience. This is everything cinema should be.