"Top Gun: Maverick" Review

Thirty-six years after the original “Top Gun” comes the highly-anticipated follow-up “Maverick.” Pete “Maverick” Mitchell has consistently dodged promotion in his more than three decades as Navy test pilot, still as reckless as before. Everything changes, however, when he is sent back to NAS North Island and assigned to train several new recruits, one of them being Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw, the adult son of Maverick’s late friend/confidant, “Goose” Bradshaw. Their mission involves the bombing of a uranium facility farther out, and Maverick is tasked with whipping them into shape through intense training, mixed in with growing tension between Rooster and Maverick and the latter’s past coming back to haunt him.

Taking over directorial reigns from the late Tony Scott is Tron: Legacy’s Joseph Kosinski. As with that film, this sequel focuses primarily on expanding character development and introspection concerning Maverick, as well as passing the torch to a new generation, all while offering updated spectacle through the backing of original producer Jerry Bruckheimer. Keeping in line with the previous film by filming inside the cockpit with IMAX cameras further adds to the authenticity of seeing these fighter jets in motion, plus the fact that everything shown during these moments is in the frame and remains consistent in its editing. On top of that, the aural sensations are just as mind-blowing in their sonic blasts as they were back in 1986, perhaps even more so. The stakes are raised to be more intense, though these are primarily character-based, and there is far less emphasis on gung-ho machismo and militarism here than what the original film conveyed. The sun-drenched photography perfectly highlights both the California atmosphere of Maverick’s personal life and the awe-inspiring grandeur of the Navy airfields.

The very definition of a “movie star,” Tom Cruise is back and ready to bring his A-game to the titular role in much the same way he has with the Mission: Impossible series, with Miles Teller revealing a ton of pent-up frustration and anger as Rooster and Jennifer Connelly hitting all the right beats as Maverick’s love interest, Penny. Just as importantly, supporting players Jon Hamm, Glen Powell, Ed Harris, and a special guest appearance from “Iceman” himself, Val Kilmer, provide a much-needed human touch to offset the heavy adrenaline rush, along with some witty banter in the process. The soundtrack and instrumental score, courtesy of a collaboration between returning composer Harold Faltermeyer, Lady Gaga, and Hans Zimmer, maintain the same electric guitar and rock-heavy landscape; just hearing the first few notes of Faltermeyer’s original theme during the near-identical opening will bring back strong memories of watching the jets take off for the first time.

After more than three decades of build-up and anticipation, it can safely be said that “Top Gun: Maverick” has stuck the cinematic landing.