Top Gun: Maverick (2022) - Testosterone Fuelled Americana - But With A Purpose!

For many film fanatics, Top Gun remains one of the most iconic 80s films, with it's abundance of thrilling action, and cheesy Americana. It's the sort of film where you can just switch your brain off, and enjoy something fun, without the need to consider the paper thin narrative too much. And while that can be hugely appealing, there are people like myself who enjoy some deeper context to the unfolding drama. And that's exactly what we got with this overdue sequel to the 80s icon!

Now, that's not to say that the original Top Gun is a bad film, purely because of it being focused more on spectacle. The late Tony Scott really made his mark on populist cinema with that action packed thrill ride. It's highly entertaining if you just want to see sweaty men showing off and flying fighter jets, without having to look deeper into the narrative. However, Top Gun: Maverick goes one step further, by giving those wanting more depth, a very engaging and emotionally driven narrative as a backdrop for the thrilling air bound action. In the original film, Tom Cruise's Maverick was a hot headed but lovable jackass. And Cruise retains that which was loved about his character in this sequel. But here, we see a lot of development that makes his journey in this story much more engaging. The main plot is just as paper thin as the original, but it's the underlying tension between Maverick and Miles Teller's Rooster that really gets the audience emotionally engaged. The dynamic is beautifully explored, and really shows the level of maturity and responsibility that Maverick now harbours, as well as being the brash and cocky pilot that audiences know and love.

Miles Teller does a sublime job creating a strained level of tension throughout the film. The context behind this feud was very unexpected, and will go beyond what people assume to be the main catalyst for Rooster's distrust of Maverick. He and Cruise are supported by amazing co-stars. Glen Powell as Hangman perfectly encapsulates both sides of the original Maverick/Iceman conflict from the 1986 film, demonstrating both extreme personalities throughout the film. Monica Barbaro is another key figure in the acting department, even more impressive that this is only her 2nd acting credit in film, mostly being known for television work. Here's hoping casting directors give her more opportunities to shine on the big screen. I was overall really impressed by the acting on display here, and more so that the film as a whole is really funny. And not forced down your throat kind of funny. I mean, the dialogue was so naturally funny, that the audience around me burst into fits of laughter frequently. And I was right there along with them.

As with the original film, this film's production values are 1st class. I would even say that it surpasses the original when it comes to spectacle and overall production design. The cinematography is just breath-taking, and the choreography for the fighter planes really takes you, and puts you right at the heart of the action. This is more impressive by the fact that many of the flying sequences were shot for real. Cameras were mounted to the actual fighters, and the actors were taught to fly the planes, as well as operating the cameras around them. The efforts this team went to in order to bring these high stakes moments of action to the big screen is extremely admirable. Tom Cruise has always been eager to push for practical stunt work and the big screen experience as a whole, and it's clear from the work seen here, as well as Cruise's other big screen outings in recent years why he is a well respected figure in the world of action-packed blockbusters.

If there is one area of the film I am conflicted about, it would be the film's musical score. Now the film features the music you would expect to hear from a Top Gun film. Kenny Loggins' Danger Zone and the original main theme by Harold Faltermeyer being the main ones. And while Faltermeyer does make a triumphant return for this new outing, he is accompanied by Hans Zimmer. This creates a conflict of interest in the music, which in turn leaves me conflicted. There is some brilliant 80s inspired action pieces composed by Faltermeyer laced within this film, which can really sell the action. However, as with anything that Hans Zimmer touches nowadays, the music sounds too much like his generic modern scores, feeling like white noise in the background. Heavy drums, distracting BRAAM sounds, and a serious lack of synthesisers makes this feel like generic action score number 357. It's even more distracting when you listen to the soundtrack. You go from the synthesised main theme to generic action fodder within the same track. Why did Hans Zimmer have to be involved?? Harold Faltermeyer would've been better off producing the score to this film alone. This is the musical equivalent to too many cooks in the kitchen. Lady Gaga's contribution to the closing credits whilst nowhere near as iconic as that from the original film, is still a nicely produced song, and really caps off the story in an emotional way.

It's safe to say that Top Gun: Maverick is set to take audiences on the highway to the danger zone once again. It's one of Tom Cruise's biggest cinema openings, and audiences worldwide are enthralled by this action packed romp. I adore both this and the original for different reasons, but would lean more towards this newest offering for the way it steps up it's thrilling action, and for the way it gives more depth to the characters and their dramatic tensions. I think it's safe to say we're gonna see more guys going around town in white t-shirts and brown leather jackets with the popularity this film is getting. All I can really say is... goodness gracious, great balls of fire!!

SCORES

Story - 4.5/5

Characters - 5/5

Production - 5/5

Acting - 5/5

Music - 3/5

TOTAL - 9/10