Tom Cruise’s latest action-adventure film Top Gun Maverick is indeed flying high in the theatres with sensational box office numbers. In over two weeks since its release, the film has collected over $548 million globally and, is to date Cruise’s highest ever domestic earner. Serving as the sequel to teh 1986 classic Top Gun, the latest theatrical release is directed by Joseph Kosinski and written by Ehren Kruger, Eric Warren Singer and Christopher McQuarrie from a story by Peter Craig and Justin Marks.
Tom Cruise reprises his role as Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell along with Jennifer Connelly as Penny and Val Kilmer as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky. The cast also features Miles Teller, Jon Hamm, Glen Powell, Lewis Pullman, Ed Harris, and Monica Barbaro in important roles. The film is set 30 years after the events of the 1986 movie, where we see Maverick return to the Top Gun program as an instructor and is tasked to prepare a new batch of aviators for a dangerous mission, with one aviator being his dead best friend, Goose’ son Rooster. If you are someone who hasn’t watched the film yet, here are three reasons why you should experience the film in theatres near you.
3 Reasons Why Top Gun Maverick Is a Worthy Watch
Themes and Character Development
It is not hearsay that Top Gun Maverick is better than its predecessor. In fact, one of the biggest reasons why the sequel triumphs over the original is because of the themes of letting go and redemption supported by a script that has mastered Maverick’s character development. The themes of the second film resonate a lot with that of the first one and yet, it is better. Maverick meeting Rooster, the tension the two share, Maverick’s undying pain, Iceman’s last wise words and that leap of doing-rather-than-thinking taken by both Maverick and Rooster towards each other are all very articulately written out.
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Although the first film gave a segment to show that Maverick is over Goose’s death (throwing the dog tags in the water), the second film becomes more substantial in showing that getting over death is never easy and, it is far less likeable to let it go. We see Cruise Maverick being weighed down until the final act where he receives support from Penny, Iceman and Rooster by the end to actually make peace with Goose’s unfortunate death. The redemption arc of Maverick risking his life to save Rooster on the final mission and, Rooster just boomeranging to do the same for him is one storyline that will always bring a sigh of relief and a flood of joy.
Cinematography
From the actors to the makers, everyone really pushed themselves over the edge to deliver a film with world-class cinematography. Academy award winner Claudio Miranda helmed the cinematography, best known for his work in Life of Pi and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. However, that was not all as the actors had to even learn how to shoot themselves as they used a piece of unique bootstrap equipment while flying their respective jets. The rigorous amount of training and hard work that went behind getting those perfect ariel shots and the close-ups of the actors while they flew is insane and applaud-worthy.
Stunts
What is an action movie without its impeccable stunts, right? Well, Top Gun Maverick nails the stunt game, once and for all. When you watch the film, the flight sequences will look absolutely real and, that is because they are! There was no CGI or VFX involved! Well, it’s shocking but, true. Kevin LaRosa II, who was the aerial stunt coordinator as well as actor Tom Cruise got hands-on to even teach the actors how to fly certain jets. The entire process and the representation of it on the screen just go to show how diligently the film has been made for the big screen.
Top Gun Maverick Trailer
Top Gun Maverick was released in theatres on May 27, 2022. It has a runtime of 131 minutes. Meanwhile, you can rent the first movie, Top Gun now on Amazon Prime Video.
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