Bottom line
This film is a rehash of the first film, except now an older Maverick has to teach the younger punks/pilots the secret to his ‘mojo’. The plot is basically the same with a new coat of paint. Flashy, glossy. Yawn.
Full Review
I decided to rent “Top Gun Maverick” last night, since it finally was available as a regularly priced rental. Glad I didn’t shell out $24 for this movie! What a yawn fest. I was literally yawning and checking my phone for messages throughout. It’s incredible that the filmmakers took so long to make a sequel to “Top Gun” (it was released in 1986) and this was the best they could come up with? It sold lots of tickets and got rave reviews, so it must have done something right.
Flashy, glossy, yawn.
The sequel is essentially the same plot as the first film with pretty much all of the same character types, except that Maverick and Iceman are now in their 50s. Kudos to the studio for including Val Kilmer in the film and actually allowing him to speak. However, the plot device they created to explain his health issues didn’t make any sense. I don’t think the US Navy would let an Admiral of the Pacific Fleet remain in command with such serious health issues that could affect his command decisions. Still, it was good to see Val.
The movie opens with the same theme music from the first Top Gun. We see the same text description of the US Navy Fighter Pilot School. Ra, ra, ra. There are the same obligatory scenes of Maverick riding a motorcycle fast, of him flashing his million dollar smile, a couple of shirtless scenes (the man is in terrific condition, I have to admit) and of him sprinting. I think but have not validated that in every Cruise film, there is at least one scene of him running. I don’t make this stuff up - it simply sells more tickets.
Flashy, glossy, yawn.
Maverick is ordered to return to Top Gun to quickly train a group of top fighter pilots for an urgent, secret mission behind enemy lines. Included in that group is his former friend and navigator’s (‘Goose’, played by Edward Edwards) son, Lt. Bradley ‘Rooster’ Bradshaw (played by Miles Teller). Rooster has not forgiven Maverick for the death of his father (in the previous film), and this sets up the central plot line in the film. Rooster is basically Goose resurrected. Maverick and Goose (with Rooster as avatar) get to fly together again and the plot follows the same points as the first film (I won’t give that away). There is even a new, young Iceman, Lt. Robert ‘Bob’ Floyd (played by Lewis Pullman). There is tension between Bob and Rooster. Oooo.
Flashy, glossy, yawn.
The characters and plot of Maverick are even more stereotypical and one dimensional than the first film, if you can believe that. The film comes off as a massive set piece for Cruise to show off his smile, body and piloting skills. Yes, he flies some of the actual planes in the film, and has his pilot’s license in real life. He was not, however, allowed by the US Navy to pilot the F-18 jet; probably a sound decision. The film also looks like one huge propaganda and recruiting ad for the US Navy. There is no gravitas or feeling of danger in this film. None.
Flashy, glossy, yawn.
I did enjoy some of the flying scenes though. They looked very real, and they must have looked spectacular on the big screen with big sound. So, there you go - the movie is really more of a summer theme park ride than a ‘film’. You get to go fly with Maverick, take out some baddies (though never named, they must be Russian), win the “girl”, be a rebel and break the rules, and at the end you save the day and come out a hero. Speaking of Maverick’s love interest in the film (of course, there has to be one, right?), Kelly McGillis’ Charlie is nowhere to be seen or heard of, but Jennifer Connelly’s Penny Benjamin appears. There are references to their previous relationship in the first Top Gun film. I wonder if the rationale for this change has more to do with the fact that Kelly is older and not as svelte as Jennifer or Tom? No, it couldn’t be that, of course.
Flashy, glossy, yawn.
No grit here. No real heroes. If that’s what you are looking for, you get that in buckets full here. This ain’t no “The Right Stuff”.
Rating
** (out of 5 stars)