Name: Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller
Duration: 2 h 11 min
Rating: 7.3
Cast: Tom Cruise, Jennifer Connelly, Val Kilmer, Monica Barbaro, Miles Teller

12 AM To 8 AM

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8 AM To 12 PM

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After more than thirty years of service, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell returns to Top Gun to train a new generation of elite fighter pilots for a dangerous mission. Forced to confront memories from his past and the son of his late friend Goose, Maverick faces challenges both in the skies and within himself.

Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

Bollywood Hungama

Times of India

India Today

36 years ago, the film TOP GUN hit screens, starring a young Tom Cruise as Captain Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell and Val Kilmer as Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky, the film was one of the first big screen presentations that feature aerial combat. Aiding the visuals in the 1986 release was the sound track comprising of songs like, ‘Danger Zone’, ‘Take My Breath Away’, ‘Great Ball Of Fire’ and of course the ‘Top Gun Anthem’, that even today can be heard as classics. Now 36 years on, we see a sequel to the film gearing up to hit screens, but will TOP GUN: MAVERICK bring back the tension and awe inspiring visuals that were witnessed 36 years ago, or will the film be just another run of the mill action entertainer is the question.
TOP GUN: MAVERICK starts with test pilot Captain Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell (Tom Cruise), who has purposely dodged advancement in rank to continue flying after 36 years of service. One day, Maverick is summoned to be put in charge of training a group of Top Gun graduates for a specialized mission under the orders of his former rival, Admiral Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky (Val Kilmer), who is the commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Among them is Lieutenant Bradley ‘Rooster’ Bradshaw (Miles Teller), the son of Maverick's late best friend and RIO Nick ‘Goose’ Bradshaw. When Maverick arrives, he is told by his commanding officers that the elite group of Top Gun pilots has been assembled for a special mission against a nameless hostile mountainous nation that has started to make facilities for enriched uranium. The assembled team under Maverick is ordered to pre-emptively destroy the uranium facility in spite of its highly peculiar location deep inside a mountainous canyon protected by multiple SAM sites surrounding it. Maverick meets the team of elite pilots, who greet him coldly. One of them, Jake ‘Hangman’ Seresin (Glen Powell), cynically keeps his distance from the other pilots, including Maverick. There is high tension between Maverick and Rooster when they meet, which at times breaks out into vented hostility and an almost-fistfight between Hangman and Rooster. When the training begins and the pilots see Maverick's skills while flying during training dogfights, the other pilots begin to re-assess their scepticism about Maverick and most of them grow to appreciate Maverick's talent for air combat. Maverick presents a mission plan to the high command and tells them that he recommends a mission of two F/A-18 Hornets, each with a separate F/A-18E/F Super Hornet escort. The final pilot crews are assembled and the mission is launched with Maverick in command. Will the mission be successful, with Maverick and Rooster come to terms with their differences, will Rooster and Hangman’s rivalry be their undoing is what makes up the rest of the film.

Right from the start, the viewer is given a glimpse of what the 1986 film was like. From the opening shot detailing the setting over the years, to introducing Maverick and his iconic Kawasaki Ninja gpz900r which became a rage back in the day the viewer is taken through a rapid montage reliving the days gone by. But, this does not hamper the film, in fact, it help establish the base upon which the new film builds. From here, TOP GUN: MAVERICK details the new generation of fighter pilots, and what their objective is, while at the same time putting on display Maverick’s lack of ability to follow orders. Right through the first half the film takes us through the lives and past of the main character viz. Maverick and Rooster, laying bare their emotions. Though this segment might seem slow, director Joseph Kosinski keeps it entertaining with well interspersed humour, action and of course one liners. Towards the end of the first half things begin to pick up pace, with the post interval proceedings keeping the viewer fixed in his seat. With most of the aerial combat sequences and training in the second half of the film, TOP GUN: MAVERICK fast changes pace to become an edge of the seat thrill ride. Much like the first film in 1986, TOP GUN: MAVERICK boasts of some death defying aerial combat sequences that will leave some who suffer from motion sickness a bit queasy. But for the rest who enjoy the thrill of a high speed chase sequence with the prospect of certain death just inches away these sequences are a thrill ride.

A special mention needs to be made for Peter Craig and Justin Marks who have developed the story. While keeping in line with the original 1986 feature film, the duo have done well in maintaining the spirit and thrill in the new film. While in certain portions the on screen proceedings do get a tad overly dramatic, they are few and well executed. Again, director Kosinski rises to the occasion, or interweaving drama with action into a seamless singular story line. However, the high point of the film is the aerial dogfight sequences that will keep you in your seat. With clap worthy displays and well executed death defying stunts these sequences are definitely a must watch. In an age where CGI and VFX have leapt ahead, viewing such action sequences is simply put, something else.

On the flipside, the film doesn’t bore but the first half gets a bit dragging. The second half is nail-biting but quite predictable too. A major plot point in the climax is rather convenient and might be difficult to digest for a section of viewers. Moreover, the content is not exactly massy and hence, the dubbed audiences would not find it exciting enough.
In terms of performances, Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, and Jennifer Connelly, are on point. Each of the three has reprised their roles to perfection. Tom Cruise obviously deserves a separate mention as he’s the face of the film. His performance, as always, is spot on, but what impresses the most is his energy and passion towards his work at this age. In fact, he’s as energetic as he was in the first instalment which was released 36 years ago! Similarly, Val Kilmer, Jon Hamm, Ed Harris, Glen Powell in supporting roles have done a good job. Although one might want a bit more rivalry to be seen between Teller and Powell’s characters, the stage is set for future expansion between the two.

Coming to the music of the film, what made the 1986 film stand out was the impeccable soundtrack that features songs that are today considered cult classics. Taking inspiration from this, TOP GUN: MAVERICK features some of the tracks namely, ‘Danger Zone’, ‘Great Balls of Fire’, and the ‘Top Gun Anthem’ from the original film. However, Berlin’s track ‘Take My Breath Away’ which shot to the top of the charts after release has been replaced by an equally melancholic ‘Hold My Hand’. Apart from these, the film features an interesting background score that adds to the thrill of the aerial combat sequences.

On the whole, TOP GUN: MAVERICK keeps the spirit of the 1986 release alive, while at the same time giving viewers an experience unlike most CGI & VFX heavy films. A hark back to days when stunts were performed and not animated, the film keeps you gripped in your seat. Yet, at the Indian box office, TOP GUN: MAVERICK will face an uphill task posting collections. With competition from previous and new Bollywood releases like BHOOL BHULAIYAA 2 and ANEK, and of course the lack of promotions, the film faces some insurmountable odds.

Tom Cruise has been a classic alpha-male throughout his illustrious career. A 24-year-old Cruise in his iconic patch-emblazoned jacket and Aviators gave us some cult cinematic moments in the 1986 original, the blockbuster that catapulted him to superstardom. Be it him racing against fighter jets on his superbike, playing sexy shirtless beach volleyball or making a fairly headstrong lady fall for him through his notorious charm, arrogance and reckless (flying) skill… Cruise’s testosterone-fuelled Top Gun was a heady mix of cocky heroism, heart-warming friendship, hot romance and rivalry.
35-years-later, when superhero movies are dominating the big screens, Tom Cruise, 59, dares to bring old school heroism back in a worthy sequel that’s high on redemption and thrill. While he retains the oomph of the original, the franchise ages gracefully as wisdom and consequences of death challenge the carefree courage of youth.
Though an inquiry clears Maverick of responsibility for his friend Goose’s death, the burden of guilt lies heavy on him and training Rooster offers Maverick a chance for redemption. Ageing deprives one the privilege of making rash decisions and it’s interesting to see a 60 something hero tackling the ghosts of his past, face professional stagnation and the reality of choosing to be a loner.
Director Joseph Kosinski’s film sticks to the flashy, unabashed bravado of the original while raising the emotional stakes and spectacular aerial stunts. “I am a fighter pilot. I am into naval aviation. This is not what I do. This is who I am.” These lines, though attributed to Maverick, resonate with Tom Cruise and his need for speed. The adrenaline junkie in him has lived vicariously through his screen characters over the years and Top Gun is his pet project. The effort to get every little detail about the aerial stunts right is outstanding and the sound and visuals accentuate that intent.
Val Kilmer in a special appearance (as Iceman) takes you back in time. Jennifer Connelly as Maverick’s on-off love interest Penny is interesting, but Kelly McGillis and her push-pull chemistry with Cruise is sorely missed. Despite the hype, Top Gun: Maverick's theme song 'Hold My Hand' (by Lady Gaga) doesn’t match up to the sensual love anthem of decades — Take My Breath Away. A one-man show, Cruise ensures the attention is on him and him alone, understandably so.
The film isn’t flawless and has its share of far fetched moments but it is everything you’d expect from a Top Gun sequel. It has just the right amount of nostalgia, drama and nail biting action to make it worthy of theatrical viewing. Go for it!

Lt Pete "Maverick" Mitchell (Tom Cruise) is now a captain. Still dangerous and reckless, with a heart of steel, he refuses to die despite his best efforts. Not to give away anything, but ejecting from a fighter aircraft flying at Mach 10 (ten times the speed of sound) at an altitude just close to the curvature of Earth should at least break some bones, rupture a few veins, and cause some internal damage.
Not for Maverick though. He refuses to die.

The film that comes 36 years after the release of the original cult classic Top Gun, which led to a 500 per cent increase in applications to US Aviation, inspired a generation to fly, and made Ray-Bans a global favourite, is a kick of nostalgia we all deserved. The hype does match the expectations when Maverick takes to the stick and performs a vertical charlie (when an aircraft flies at low altitude, pulls up vertically and conducts rolls before stabilising at higher altitude).The iconic bomber jacket, aviators, and the Kawasaki racing next to a fighter jet will send you back in time when a young Tom Cruise, who's now 59 years old, rose to fame for introducing the world to an elite squad of navy fighter pilots, the top 1 per cent, who remained covert and confined to the cockpit above an aircraft carrier.
Shot in IMAX-certified 6K-screen cameras, Top Gun Maverick does deliver in making you feel the rush, vibrations, and clanking of an F-18 Super Hornet, known for its manoeuvrability, precision strike, and the most challenging task of landing on a moving target (aircraft carrier).

Cruise, who passed out several times during the shooting of the first film in 1986, has come a long way. This time around, with a license and training to fly a jet, he was instrumental in ensuring that actors get hands-on training before cameras are strapped into the cockpits and it shows. The dogfight sequences have to be one of the best I have seen on celluloid in a long time.

The film excels in showing the fast-paced, on-the-edge life of a fighter pilot, where split-second decisions could mean life or death. Brownie points to the producer for making a film without going into the geopolitics of the world while depicting a branch of the armed forces (no jingoism here). This decision gave the makers room to focus more on actually showing the aircraft, the gruelling training, lifelong comraderies, and how battle plans are forged and executed with precision when the fate of the world hangs in the balance.
Tom Cruise waited for over three decades for a script to make a sequel to the cult classic, but it seems they could have worked a bit more on a storyline that goes beyond enemy lines and comes back safely. Top Gun became what it became thanks to the death of Goose, a tragic event that made Maverick a better pilot but above all, more human, which seems to be missing in the much-awaited sequel.

As I said above, Maverick refuses to die. Mach 10 would commonly lead to at least a few broken ribs and some time in a military hospital.
The story appears to be intentionally dragged to suit a happy ending for the film. But, where it lags, it gains, thanks to Val Kilmer's Iceman. Joseph Kosinski has successfully captured the emotional trajectory of the bonhomie and friendship between Maverick and Iceman that has now transcended for over three decades, rising through the ranks.
Maverick's own emotional growth comes out in his vulnerabilities that are still tied to Goose and his death.

All said and done, when you walk out of the theatre, you do feel like sitting in the cockpit of a fighter aircraft at least once in your life, but, Top Gun (the original) will remain my all-time favourite.

It has been ever since my days of taking the Indian Air Force exams and desperately desiring to be a fighter pilot, and Maverick will remain my Instagram handle.

Top Gun: Maverick | NEW Official Trailer (2022 Movie) - Tom Cruise