'Top Gun: Maverick' shows that sequels made 30 years after the first one can work.

Story 

Taking place 36 years after the first one, Top Gun: Maverick sees the return of Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell training a team of the best Navy pilots at TopGun, in a mission that blurs the line between life and death.

What I like about the story is how detached it is from the original. Yes, Maverick is still the main character and the anchor here but there are new characters introduced here as well. This movie connects to the original (as sequels tend to do) without an overreliance on it.

Acting 

I didn't expect the performances in this movie to be as dramatic as they were. Full confession, this is because I didn't watch any of the trailers before watching the movie (I went back to watch the trailers and I don't think they do the movie any justice, the movie is SO MUCH better than the trailer)

Maverick is the emotional core of the film and because of that, we spend a lot of time with his character. And he is able to transport your emotions really well. Maverick is a charismatic character, but he is also guarded and a little cautious, while holding on to the boyish charm that was present in the first movie. It's a nice mix of old and new 

Of the new characters, the performances I didn't expect to love as much as I did were Milles Teller as Lt. Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw and Lewis Pullman as Lt. Robert "Bob" Floyd. Though playing VASTLY different characters, they both represent the comedic and emotional story beats. The entire cast's progression throughout the movie makes the ending earned. You go on a journey with all these characters and the end makes you feel like you were right next to them during the movie.

There are so many recognizable supporting characters in this movie, Jennifer Connelley, Jon Hamm, Ed Harris and I would be remiss if I didn't mention the fact that Val Kilmer is back. Though you focus more on Maverick, it is really nice to hear from and see Iceman in the movie and have the two characters interact with each other.

Writing/Direction

The writing and direction are the solid foundation that this movie is built on. This movie is tense in the right moments and comedic in the right moments, a testament to Joseph Kosinski, the director, and Ehren Kruger, Eric Warren Singer, and Christopher McQuarrie, the writers. It manages to capture the "magic" and "nostalgia" of flying while never losing sight of the fact that what these individuals are doing is very dangerous.

I am not joking when I say that I would watch a movie on the making of this movie, from the techniques used to film it to the training that the actors would have gone through to make this movie as believable as possible because this movie was ACTUALLY filmed inside naval planes. According to Wikipedia, there are over 800 hours of footage. And I need to see it.

CGI/Set Design 

The visuals and establishing shots in this movie are absolutely stunning. Halfway through, I wanted to google if it was shot on film, and surprisingly, it wasn't. However, a lot of shots have a slightly grainy texture to them. Director Joseph Kosinski and cinematographer Claudio Miranda were able to craft a film that has all the visual wonders of cinema today while looking like it was made in the 90s. 

I know that CGI was used in the film, however, I wasn't shocked to find out how much of the film was filmed practically. IMAX cameras were actually placed in the cockpit with the actors who were actually INSIDE the aircraft, as well as on the exterior. It was also shot on aircraft carriers and at US Naval bases. And honestly? All these things make a difference, the film is more immersive, which in turn makes the viewing experience more enjoyable.

When I say I can go on about the visuals in this movie, I am not joking. All the shots in this movie look like they were crafted with intention, they all add something to the movie that you are watching.

And given Tom Cruise's penchant for doing his own stunts, I am not surprised when I read about the number of practical effects in this movie. I mean the man JUMPED OUT OF A PLANE!!

This is one of those times where I will actually say you should see the movie in IMAX. Usually, I see IMAX as a waste because you're not gaining much out of it. but this is really worth it. From the visuals to the sound, Top Gun: Maverick in IMAX is captivating.

If you want to read more on the cinematography and the filmmaking process, click here or here 

Score/Soundtrack 

Saying that the people who worked on the are masters of their craft is like saying the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, it is stating a fact. 

The music, score, and sound design in this movie are perfect. 

Top Gun is iconic for many things, one of which being its music, from Danger Zone to Great Balls of Fire and the ICONIC (because there is no other word for it) Top Gun Anthem. And all of this meant that the music in the sequel had BIG shoes to fill.

And I think that the music in Top Gun: Maverick does live up to the music in the original. When you have Lorne Balfe, Harold Faltermeyer, Lady Gaga, and Hans Zimmer working together, you're bound to have something magical.

With the introduction of iconic songs from the original like Danger Zone as well as having the Top Gun Anthem interlaced with the score, you have something that ties you to the emotions of the first movie while feeling much bigger and more cinematic

Overall Thoughts

Fun fact, I actually wasn't meant to see this when I did. I went to the cinema to see Doctor Strange and got there too late for one show, and the next one was sold out so I decided to watch Top Gun, and I am so glad I did because I really enjoyed it. 

In the realm of sequels that have come out decades years after the first one, this is closer to Blade Runner: 2048 than Coming to America: 2. You don't have to have watched the first one to understand what is going on, but you will appreciate the nostalgia and references.  

Top Gun: Maverick has been hailed as the return of the summer blockbuster, and honestly? I agree. It has the edge of your seat that you would expect from a Tom Crusie summer movie, along with a great story filled with emotion, as well as BEAUTIFUL visuals. This is one of those movies that is worth the extra money on an IMAX ticket.