Top Gun: Maverick Review: Soars higher than the original in every way

Back-to-back weeks of 1980s revivals. Last week saw Chip N’ Dale: Rescue Rangers return and now Top Gun is back after multiple delays.

After more than 35 years, Tom Cruise reprises his role as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in Top Gun: Maverick. The sequel isn’t just superior to the original 1986 film, it’s also the best film of 2022 so far and it’s not even close.

Cruise gives his best performance since Collateral. Yes, Cruise defies death once again by flying actual planes as do the other actors. However, it’s his performance and the moments of doubt creeping across his face that shine the most. Cruise’s performance is backed up by a fantastic script by Ehren Kruger, Eric Warren Singer and Christopher McQuarrie. Due to his acting alone, Cruise should receive a best actor nomination next year.

After Maverick humiliates, Rear Admiral Chester “Hammer” Cain played by Ed Harris, he is forced to return to Top Gun as an instructor. In the original film, Maverick always masked his insecurities until Goose’s death, when everything comes pouring out. In Top Gun: Maverick, Pete Mitchell is shockingly vulnerable. He doubts his teaching ability at every turn. He seeks out Penny’s(past, current love interest, and confidant) advice.

Also aiding Cruise is a great supporting cast. Glen Powell oozes leading man charisma as a hotshot pilot known for hanging his wingmen and women out to dry. Miles Teller also proves he’s one of the best actors under 40 as Goose’s son Rooster. The relationship between Rooster and Maverick is the emotional crux of the film. There’s plenty of regret and blame to throw around, but the script does a clever job of setting up their conflict. Resentment over Rooster’s death is part of the story, but it’s not actually Rooster’s major problem with Maverick.

Jennifer Connelly provides much-needed support for Cruise’s Maverick. I think more time could have been spent on their relationship. However, the story didn’t need it. I just really dug the chemistry between Cruise and Connelly.

Joseph Kosinski does a sensational job as director. The flight scenes are show stoppers, but he still takes time to let scenes breathe. Whether characters are in the cockpit or on solid ground, every scene has meaning.

The insane decision to train actors to fly planes pays off in brilliant fashion. Top Gun: Maverick may be the most immersive film of the decade. I actually felt like I was in the cockpit with the actors trying to break 10gs. The score is fantastic and uses the iconic Harold Faltermeyer Top Gun theme in numerous ways. Yes, Danger Zone is used again.

There’s really only one minor issue and I actually like the decision. In the first Top Gun film, there were major consequences for decisions made by pilots. In Maverick, that’s really not the case. Characters are put in dire situations but usually escape. These escapes are telegraphed but are flawlessly executed.

Top Gun: Maverick is a modern miracle in nearly every way.

With the overview out of the way, let’s dive deeper into the elements that stood out in Maverick’s latest mission. There may be some minor spoilers.

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Maverick of the Sky

Pete Mitchell is a different man in the sky vs on the ground. In the air, Pete Mitchell very much resembles the confident, talented and instinctual pilot from the 1986 film. In an early test flight, he shows all of these Top Gun graduates their flaws. While he still’s selfish at times, there’s more to Pete than just his well-being. In his own way, he tries to do what’s best for everyone who serves him. An early mission shows Pete succeeding in a test flight. If he doesn’t take that risk, then more than a few Navy officers would be out of jobs.

They have a nearly impossible mission to complete. Throughout the training, Pete instructs the pilots based on simulated runs. The mission parameters are changed by Adm. Beau ‘Cyclone’ Simpson played by Jon Hamm, to make it easier for the pilots to complete the mission. Changing the parameters increases the risks of the pilots being caught.

Maverick doesn’t make a big speech trying to convince the superior officers they’re wrong. He uses his skill to do the talking. All of the lessons he’s given the student aren’t just for show or hypothetical. The mission can be accomplished but only if led by Maverick.

When on Shaky Ground, the Iceman Cometh

In Top Gun: Maverick, Cruise makes Pete incredibly vulnerable on the ground. As confident as he is in the air, he’s noticeably unsure on solid ground.

Maverick doesn’t think he’s the right man to teach the Top Gun graduates. Pete doesn’t know how to repair his relationship with Rooster. He’s into Penny, but she keeps him at arm’s length for a while. In short, if he’s not employing evasive maneuvers or teaching students how to fly below the altitude line, he’s utterly at a loss.

Cruise and this script don’t let Pete’s pride stand in his way. Top Gun: Maverick makes it really easy to understand what bothers Pete. He tells everyone and it’s etched in Cruise’s body language. The uneasiness with which he moves, grimaces or speaks, especially when talking to Cyclone is exceptional.

Ice Man also plays a vital role. Throughout his career, Ice Man has helped Maverick stay in the air and is the reason for Maverick’s return to Top Gun. A fantastic scene between Val Kilmer and Cruise gives the film an emotional element that the original never came close to achieving.

Maverick is struggling to repair his relationship with Rooster. Ice Man gives Maverick a very simple bit of advice. Maverick just needs to take his time, which speaks volumes coming from a man whose time is running out. I’m referring to Ice Man, not Kilmer.

Tog Gun Class

Teller makes Rooster the most interesting of the Top Gun graduates. He’s remarkably conservative and the most considerate of the pilots in the air. You’d think Rooster would present as cocky as a way to impress or prove Maverick wrong, but that’s not the case. He really does come across like his father, Goose. He’s really the only pilot that’s given any backstory, which works well with this story.

Hangman is known for leaving his wingmen and women in the air. Talented, cocky he really is a mixture of Cruise’s Maverick and Kilmer’s Ice Man. Bob is the simple, by-the-book, steady eddy pilot. Phoenix is the only woman on the mission. I wish they’d provided more backstory on Phoenix as she seems to know the other Top Gun graduates, but we don’t know why or how she knows them. She certainly has a connection with Hangman and Rooster, but it’s ambiguous as to the context of their relationship. Monica Barbaro does a strong job in the role.

Top Gun: Maverick‘s biggest surprise is this charming supporting cast. You could do another film in this franchise with this cast.

Top Gun: Maverick Final Thoughts

Maverick’s latest mission is an undeniable success. From action to performance, this is the best film of the year and should be on the Academy’s radar for next year.