Way better than it needs to be, or is expected from films like these nowadays.
It’s pretty much perfectly produced, and you can tell they really went the extra mile with these action scenes and their presentation, which paid off in dividends (great sound design in particular!)
They also wisely toned down the amount of cheese and propaganda compared to the first one, though it’s still there to some extent.
For example, you still get a scene of the main characters playing sports games in the Californian sunset, while a terrible One Republic song plays in the background.
The writing in general is a little basic. They found a good way to deepen Maverick as a character emotionally, and the new additions to the cast are all fine, but everything sort of falls into place in the way you’re expecting during the first 2 acts. Take the scenes with Jennifer Connely. She’s clearly trying very hard with what she’s given to do, but she’s ultimately just the obligatory love interest, making her scenes feel like filler. There are also a few too many times the exposition repeats itself, too many deus ex machinas moments, and there’s an arc that’s set up with Ed Harris’ character that’s never paid off.
It seemed like a scene got cut from the end that was meant to complete that arc, because instead you just get a quick montage to wrap up the other loose ends, while a terrible Lady Gaga song plays in the background.
The writing got a little more interesting in the third act, which is where the movie basically turns into Mission Impossible. Our main characters are given an ‘impossible’ mission, things don’t go according to plan, and Tom Cruise has to figure a way out of this. It’s a great formula that just works, with tension that’s constantly rising and a good sense of physicality.
Ultimately, the extremely well shot and edited action scenes are the selling point and most memorable part of this film. The movie around that is acceptable, but could’ve been more creative and tighter.

8/10

It seems like I have been watching the trailers for this film for years now - and you know what? Yes - it was worth the wait. The film is all about some truly exhilarating aerial photography that culminates in some super dogfighting and a good old dose of nostalgia. Tom Cruise is very much in his element as the ageing - and frequently not afraid to look it - eponymous "Top Gun" pilot drafted in by a rather sceptical admiral to train up a new squad for a very perilous mission to destroy an underground uranium enrichment facility. The team arrive - full of hormones - and he must whip them into shape, a task made more difficult by the presence of "Rooster" (Miles Teller) who is the son of his old mate "Goose" who came to a sticky end last time out in 1986. He also gets to rekindle his romance with bar owner "Penny" (Jennifer Connelly) whilst all under the protection of his former wingman, now the poorly retired admiral "Kazansky" (Val Kilmer). To be honest, the story isn't really up to much - there are some twists and turns, the script is not without some humour but there is no jeopardy really. We all know what is going to happen in the end. That said, though, everyone is on good form; the pace (aside from the interludes with Connelly which do rather abruptly slow things down a bit) is consistently action packed and the imagery from both inside and outside of these amazing pieces of machinery is not at all repetitive and is compelling to watch. Even the usual gung-ho, ye-ha stuff is kept to a minimum - this is a superior film depicting the US military at it's most competitive, but also at it's most intelligent - and I really quite enjoyed it. Big screen photography - don't wait til it is on the telly.

Haven't seen a movie this perfect in decades. It was most obviously written and directed with the audience in mind - no politics, no preaching, no gratuitous sex, no woke, no offensive casting or characters. Brilliant, simplistic screenwriting and thrill rides. The original, if you've seen it, was iconic as it was, and to know it makes the second film here more enjoyable, but even if you're not familiar with the background of the characters it's clearly presented enough to be a stand-alone enjoyable film.

> Loved this movie. Even had me guessing to the end. Seems like every cast member picked to play their role was the only person that could pull it off especially for the song of Goose. 9.9/10 sequel never lived up to original this one did. 10/10

Top Gun: Maverick had a ton of praise when I finally got around to watching it and it did a relatively good job living up to it.

My main two complaints from the original have been entirely corrected in it's sequel: cheesy dialogue and terrible shot selection in the aerial sequences. The script has been vastly improved upon with updated dialogue just all around better acting than the original. There were not corny lines or interactions that felt awkward. The aerial combat sections are incredible, they are done with such precision and purpose. I could actually understand what was on and where the fighter crafts were in relation to each. These raised the stacks and hade me fully invested.

The overall story is pretty great. I loved how the recruits were training for a final "suicide" mission, instead of just graduating from the academy. The dynamics between Tom Cruise and his superiors/students were great and felt witty and genuine. The continued relationship with Iceman was touching as they seem to have a real connection that has lasted throughout the years, although I thought his illness and they way they presented it was a bit out of place. My one big complain his Cruises love interest. This plot really has no impact on the story and is just thrown in there for old time sakes. I did enjoy their chemistry together and it was cute to his interactions with daughter. But, I watched the original directly before this and was utterly confused on who she was. It was really odd to have a throw away line in the original be the main love interest in the sequel, but like I said, it did not have a huge impact.

The performances are spectacular in this film. Tom Cruise and Miles Teller are standouts and their back and forth is really fun to see, delivering some funny jabs but some series dramatic moments. Jon Hamm was great as a hard ass commanding officer. Glen Powell was a standout as well, his cockiness and rivalry with Rooster was great but complex.

This film is a blast, and I really wish I would have made the time to see it in theaters. I really enjoyed this and I am definitely not one who fancies these types of films, but it captured me.

Score: 87%
Verdict: Excellent