If there was one thing a lot of people weren’t expecting it was a sequel to one of the most iconic fighter-plane movies from the 80’s. If there was anything else that people weren’t expecting, it was said sequel ending up being 2022’s biggest ever film, beating all records including 'Spider-Man: No-Way Home' ‘Avengers: Endgame’ and ‘Avatar’.
I would’ve watched this surprise sequel at the cinema when it came out since I never saw the original version at the cinema (I was born a couple of years later) but sadly, I didn’t want to run into that horrendous ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ trailer which was on due to that film’s up and coming release a month or so later. ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ doesn’t disappoint.
The story starts off more than 30 years after the original ‘Top Gun’ film.
Captain Pete "Maverick" Mitchell (Tom Cruise) is working as a test pilot for the US Navi. Rear Admiral Chester "Hammer" Cain is about to shut down the hypersonic “Darkstar” scramjet program and redirect the funds to drone programs but Maverick is testing out the new prototype to its maximum speed.
Of course, Maverick being Maverick pushes its speed even further; to the point where the speed destroys the prototype. Mavrick is lucky enough to be alive after such a reckless stunt and Chester lets Maverick know it. Chester wants to ground Maverick for his behaviour but has had a phone call from Maverick’s friend and former rival Admiral Tom "Iceman" Kazansky (Val Kilmer); he is wanted back at Top Gun as an instructor.
Maverick’s new order is simple; to train a elite group of F/A-18E/F Super Hornet pilots. One of them- Lieutenant Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw (Miles Teller)- also happens to be the son of Maverick’s long dead friend Nick "Goose" Bradshaw. As a result, the ghosts of Maverick’s past come back to haunt him.
After I was finally able to watch this the other day, I was pleased that it ended up being a worthy sequel to a thirty plus year old film.
The soundtrack might’ve struggled trying to be as iconic as the original film’s despite Hans Zimmer’s excellent score although Lady Gaga’s ‘Hold My Hand’ was pretty good (it’s no ‘Take My Breath Away’ by Berlin though). Of course, they had to bring back Kenny Loggins’ ‘Danger Zone’!
It was also good to see Val Kilmer back as well despite his recent health issues. I was glad that Val was able to do the best he could with his health and as a result his scenes were very emotional. It was hard not to cry during them (and I thought I had struggled trying not to cry during ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’!).
Over all a worthy sequel that deserves to be this year’s biggest and best film.
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