REVIEW: TOP GUN - MAVERICK

4/5

Skies Of Thunder.

131 Mins. Starring: Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Glen Powell, Monica Barbaro, Lewis Pullman, Charles Parnell, Jay Ellis, Danny Ramirez, Greg Tarzan Davis, Manny Jacinto, Bashir Salahuddin, Ed Harris & Val Kilmer. Director: Joseph Kosinski. 

36 years! That's how long we've had a need for speed again since the first 'Top Gun' movie came out in 1986. I was one year old. My parents probably got my grandparents to babysit me and my sis as they watched the biggest blockbuster of the year that soared through the skies like 'Days Of Thunder', not needing roads. Now we go back to the future in the same Memorial Day weekend were we get the fourth and final season (volume one) of Netflix's nostalgia trip 'Stranger Things'. As the ageless Tom Cruise (making Keanu look like Clint) pushing 60, is in control of the danger zone again. All in the same week his leaked new 'Mission: Impossible' trailer ('Dead Reckoning'...Part 1, baby) is released one year before it's set to scorch screens next Summer. "Yeah that's right...prick!" In the last mission of a series with no sign of self destruction that you just have to accept, Cruise had Henry Cavill laughing before he put Superman down. He was reeling off 'Top Gun' quotes in the air like '86 was yesterday. But that aforementioned one were he pulled-up helicopter side-by-side with Supes and that moustache belongs in his hall of fame. From 'Suits' to 'How I Met Your Mother' this classic 80's movie is just that quotable. Even if some critics dismissed it as an Uncle Sam like vehicle for naval enlistment propaganda promotion (it wasn't). But what other franchise and face of it could come back over three and a half decades later, fresher than ever, slipping into the slipstream? We've even had a Charlie Sheen 'Hot Shots' and a 'Part Deux' since then. 

Taking off with the original typography, titles and naval mantra that feels like it's own 'A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away" on the same Friday we get a new 'Obi-Wan Kenobi' Star Wars series. This superior sequel does not disappoint. Even if those rumors of Cruise playing a version of Iron Man in 'Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness' didn't come true (yet). The massive Marvel movie was still chock full of many a classic cameo. This fantastic flight with the alpha that toyed with planes, hung off them like many a meme and even got back in one for the underrated and undeniable true story of 2017's 'American Made' (which may have just propelled the real pilot back this way) inspired so much. From making call signs cool as couples coordinated them for their weddings, to making beach volleyball a thing for those who spend 24 hours at Anytime Fitness when they're not 'Playing With The Boys'. It even rolled out pop powerhouse Kenny Loggins and his 'Danger Zone' chart-topper out more times than Rick Astley. Never giving it up, here in Japan (were I missed the premiere of the movie in Yokohama. Only the city I live in, on my day off and the place I always go to by the bay. 'The Last Samurai' star follows me on Twitter. You would have thought he would have told me), convenience store Family Mart has a 'Top Gun-Maverick' coffee campaign. And they log Loggins number more times than the first film did. Here, Hans Zimmer also brings it right back, along with his own version of the 80's babies signature score. And it soars. Like perfectly cast for the soundtrack, Lady Gaga's powerful theme ('Hold My Hand'). Who else but the 'Shallow' singer and Oscar winner to take this one to the edge of glory for a top track we saved for the cinema like Billie Eilish's 'No Time To Die'. Its been an even longer time for this movies moment. Being pushed back more times than Bond as COVID-19 shook and stirred it like 007. But now with no time to die like the present, it more than sticks the landing. Especially with a Maverick like Dallas, Cruise at the helm. Tinkering under the hood of his plane in a garage. Talking about "one last ride" as he almost takes off to space like this need for speed was fast and furious. 

Tom is top. In billing and bragging rights. Even bringing some earned emotion to this epic. Reminding us of the time the action hero and science fiction star ('Oblivion' and 'Edge Of Tomorrow' capping off one hell of a run around the globe) acted with the best of them in 'Rain Man', 'The Color Of Money', 'Born On The Fourth Of July' and 'A Few Good Men'. Critics can't handle that truth. Although the genuine excitement he feels when his chopper flies alongside a jet taking off is not acting. Trust that. It's never risky business with this box office bank as he makes all the right moves from his veteran cockpit to his ace acting. But in captaining this crew, there is so much more on this flight deck. Like a 'Whiplash' and smart Miles Teller. One of this generations best, who if you've seen the trailer or not is clearly playing Goose's son (you can't deny that moustache). 'ER' legend Anthony Edwards' characters spirit still takes wing in this sequel, like the real legend of late, great first film director Tony Scott (who paid 25 grand to turn a warship around). But you can tell Teller's Rooster is cock and locked like Cogburn with his own true grit as this father and wayward son like relationship that won't make it easy on you also brings us some Costner and Kutcher feelings from the air rescue of 'The Guardian'. It's a shame not to see Kelly McGillis (she still owns the best line in reaction to Mav's name) back, just like the fact that a Meg Ryan cameo is M.I.A. But the great 80's 'Labyrinth' legend Jennifer Connelly is real refreshment here, fresh off the icey tundra of her 'Snowpiercer' series. Add 'Mad Man' Jon Hamm. So good at playing an a##hole ('Richard Jewell', 'The Town') and 'The Rock' of 'Apollo 13' legend Ed Harris, who has had skin in this game for so long you'll be forgiven for thinking he was in the first film. But it's decorated Charles Parnell and comedian Bashir Salahuddin as Hondo who really steal the show amongst a great battalion of pilots in a beautiful barroom scene (Glen Powell, Monica Barbaro, Lewis Pullman (Bill's son on his own 'Independence Day'), Jay Ellis, Danny Ramirez, Greg Tarzan Davis and Manny Jacinto) who all earn their wings on some edge of your ejector seat amazing aerial assaults, never seen on screen like this. Worthy of the IMAX or Dolby Atmos whose taking off sound wasn't around, gunning back to the original movie that topped the charts. But for all these guns, nothing tops the classic cameo of Val Kilmer. Beautiful like his personal 'Val' documentary. Dealing with his deteriorating health problems with grace and grit and a stirring scene that really helps this move find its voice. Taking another legendary character off ice. It's a salute to this Admiral and an amazing actor who's still fighting the good fight. Always your Huckleberry. A man with a legendary line in this franchise that didn't even need words as he chomped at Cruise back when they took to the skies as rivals. And together they end it all on a perfect note. Iceman's iconic status like Kilmer killing it speaks for itself. Salute! 'Top Gun-Maverick' truly lights up the screen in all its action. What more could you expect from Joseph Kosinski known to resurrect franchises without a reboot like the futuristic 'Tron'? Now how's that for a legacy? The 'Rocky' of the skies and this is its 'Creed'. Goodness gracious. It takes your breath away. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Top Gun (1986)', 'American Made', 'Whiplash'.