Tuesday 24 May 2022

Film Review: "Top Gun: Maverick" (2022).


From the director of Tron: Legacy and Only the Brave comes Top Gun: Maverick. This action drama film directed by Joseph Kosinski, written by Ehren Kruger, Eric Warren Singer, and Christopher McQuarrie and based on the characters created by Jim Cash and Jack Epps Jr.. It is the sequel to 1986's Top Gun. After more than thirty years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators, Pete "Maverick" Mitchell is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him. When he finds himself training a detachment of Top Gun graduates for a specialized mission the likes of which no living pilot has ever seen, Maverick encounters Lt. Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw, the son of Lt. Nick "Goose" Bradshaw. Facing an uncertain future and confronting the ghosts of his past, Maverick is drawn into a confrontation with his own deepest fears, culminating in a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those who will be chosen to fly it.

In 2010, development of the film began when Paramount Pictures made offers to Jerry Bruckheimer and Tony Scott to make a sequel. However, after Scott's suicide on August 19, 2012, the sequel's future remained in question, but Bruckheimer remained committed to the project, especially given Tom Cruise's and Val Kilmer's interest. In June 2017, Cruise revealed that the title would be Top Gun: Maverick. Later the same month, it was confirmed that Kosinski was hired to direct. By early September 2018, Cruise and Kilmer were confirmed to reprise their roles, with Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Glen Powell, Lewis Pullman and Ed Harris rounding out the film's cast. At the same time, principal photography commenced and wrapped in July 2019. Filming took place throughout California, as well as Seattle, Washington and Patuxent River, Maryland. The film was shot in the IMAX format using IMAX-Certified Sony Venice 6K Full Screen cameras. In October, it was reported that Hans Zimmer was hired as composer alongside Harold Faltermeyer. Additionally, Kenny Loggins has confirmed that his song, Danger Zone, will be featured. Paramount Pictures originally scheduled the film for a July 12, 2019 release date. However, in August 2018, it was delayed to June 26, 2020. In early March 2020, Paramount moved the film up to June 24, 2020. In early April, it was delayed to December 23 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In late July, the film was delayed again to July 2, 2021 due to the rise of COVID-19 cases. In April 2021, the film was delayed again to November 19, 2021. In early September, the film was delayed once more, this time to May 27, 2022. In late April 2022, Lady Gaga announced that she had written and recorded the film's theme song, Hold My Hand.

The cast, especially Cruise's, personal commitment to actual aerial stunts above all other considerations only benefits the film so much.

Director Joseph Kosinski and star Tom Cruise have created a sequel that has truly been worth the wait.

Simon says Top Gun: Maverick receives:



Also, see my review for Only the Brave.

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