Snow falls on Monica Barbaro (Phoenix) and Tom Cruise (Maverick) as they prepare to shoot a high stakes action scene.
photo provided by Paramount Pictures
“Top Gun: Maverick” resurrected the classic, patriotic film, providing a sense of unity for the nation in a time of great divide. COVID shut down society and enlarged the gap in faceto-face interaction. The reopening of theaters and the stellar plotline of “Top Gun: Maverick” created a space of freedom and joy which has long been absent.
“Top Gun: Maverick” is a sequel that surpassed the original, a feat thought to be near impossible by the majority of Hollywood. Crowds of all ages flooded the theaters to investigate the blockbuster delighting the world. Recently, the movie was crowned the “biggest sequel of all time,” replacing big pictures like “Frozen II.” Other milestones set “Top Gun: Maverick” above films like “Batman,” “Incredibles 2,” “Doctor Strange Multiverse of Madness” and “Lightyear.”
Realistic stunts and action scenes pack the entire film full of top notch content while keeping the audience invested.
The fighter-jet flying promotes a real tension and interest in the storyline due to one simple fact: it is real. Actors sat behind trained Navy pilots who flew the planes, experiencing real G’s, real speed and real pressure. Committed to the movie, the actors pushed themselves mentally and physically in order to meet and surpass the expectations of the public.
Exceeding expectations turns out to be a challenge eagerly met and succeeded by the “Top Gun: Maverick” cast. The 80s classic set the bar high. With only two of the original cast members returning (Tom Cruise as ‘Maverick’ and Val Kilmer as ‘Iceman’) the audience feels no sting of missing casts’ absences.
A number of new characters introduced, such as Bradley ‘Rooster’ Bradshaw and Robert ‘Bob’ Floyd, received inspiring and motivating warm welcomes.
“Top Gun: Maverick” gave adults a chance to revisit their teen years, creating a nostalgic experience. Those who were around for the first movie were not the only ones who treasured the storyline. Teenagers also adored the characters and plot of the film. The movie is characterized as an ageless classic built to prove a truth: heroes do not always wear capes.
“It’s important for the second movie in a franchise to work as both a sequel and a solid stand-alone movie, and I think this is the rare sequel that accomplishes that well,” junior Kyle Yuzzi said.
However, a solo viewing rarely satisfied audiences. Groups rushed to the theaters each week, desperate to feel the adrenaline rush of watching their favorite heroes show down in an epic display of courage.
“Top Gun: Maverick” proved a hero of its own, taking cinema down a path of remembrance, capturing the hearts of many and leaving audiences begging for more.