GENRE:
Action, Drama
RATING:
PG-13 for intense action and 1 f-word
RUNTIME:
2 hours and 11 minutes
PLATFORM:
Movie Theatre
STARRING:
Tom Cruise (Mission: Impossible, Jerry
Maguire, Top Gun)
Miles
Teller (Whiplash, Divergent); Jon
Hamm (Mad Men, Tag)
DIRECTOR:
Joseph Kosinski (Oblivion, Tron: Legacy)
WRITERS:
Ehren Kruger (Scream 3),
Eric Singer (American Hustle)
Christopher
McQuarrie (Usual Suspects, Edge of
Tomorrow, M:I 5-8)
PLOT:
Maverick teaches some Top Gun pilots to push the envelope for a dangerous
mission.
FULL DISCLOSURE: Really liked but did not love the original.
STORY STUFF: This may be considered sacrilege to some but I found Maverick better than Top Gun as a whole. Having just re-watched the original, it was easy to make the comparisons. This sequel does pay homage to a lot of the original which will make fans happy but they also take things up a huge notch. The opening scene is almost a carbon copy with familiar music to get you pumped. The aerial scenes in this film are incredible as they obviously have the technology to outperform the first movie’s stunts. The romantic side story is better this time around and I’m relieved to not have to sit through silhouetted make-out scenes that included way too much tongue. Even the obligatory stripped down beach sports made more sense. Top Gun does have one element that maybe trumps everything else though and that’s Goose. The sequel doesn’t have the comradery as Maverick is a lone wolf. I missed that. But maybe that’s because I miss the character. I chuckled a little when Maverick describes the mission as it sounded exactly like something I would hear in a Mission: Impossible movie as if it’s Ethan Hunt in a fighter plane. In summary, this film rocks and the last third of the film will blow you away.
ACTING STUFF: Cruise exudes charisma; he can do no wrong. Hamm plays the dick well. I felt Teller was a good choice as Goose’s son. All around great acting. I was happy that Jennifer Connelly was age appropriate for Maverick. I also liked Maverick’s friend, Hondo, played by Bashir Salahuddin. I actually would have liked a little more of Val Kilmer but was happy that he was included.
ARTISTIC STUFF: As I said before, the aerial stunts in this movie are impressive and will keep your heart racing. The cinematography is beautiful. Maverick should be seen on a big screen to fully capture the amazingness of the film.
VERDICT:
Five stars out of five
SEE IT IF:
You’ve seen Top Gun and have the need
for speed.
UPCOMING REVIEW: Jurassic World Dominion
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