Movie Review - Top Gun: Maverick

We have a self-imposed rule: each Peep gets to use an A++ grade once per year. There's no question about it: I'm dropping my A++ bomb on this movie.

I saw this with a friend and we were both blown away by how outstanding every aspect of this movie is. The acting, the story, the drama, the pacing, the characters, the fighter scenes, the humor, the everything was perfect. I can't think of a single thing they could have done better. This is the paragon of Hollywood blockbuster action movies. Please, more like this.

7:42●●● 95%

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We rewatched the original Top Gun earlier this week and, let me say, it hasn't aged as well as Tom Cruise. Definitely, some cringe-worthy moments that may have played well back in the mid 1980s but today... Not so much. But there wasn't a hint of that in this movie.

Homages

The homages to the original Top Gun were really well done and not forced or done just for laughs. Every one of them had a purpose. There was even a subtle homage to Star Wars IV.

Star Wars: Small thermal exhaust port 2 meters wide.

Top Gun: Maverick: an exposed ventilation hatch less than 3 meters wide.

I'm going to see it again with my wife and friends just to sit and enjoy the experience. I can't wait to see it again.

Peeple's Poll

If you're familiar with the Peeple's Poll in the RunPee app then you probably already know that this movie has an outstanding rating. It's on target to be one of the top-5 rated movies of the past 3 years. And it isn't just RunPee users who have rated this movie so highly. Over on RottenTomatoes this movie, as of Friday night, has a 99% rating from the audience and a 97% from critics. And at IMDb.com it has an 8.7 which would land it in the top 15-18 movies of all time.

Oscar?

I wouldn't bet on him getting it but maybe Tom Cruise needs to be nominated for best actor for his role here. It's been 22 years since he had a nomination for best actor for the movie Magnolia. I think his performance here is worthy. I don't think the role was quite as demanding as it was for his character in Magnolia, but there were plenty of dramatic scenes that needed a range of emotions and he made each of them feel real.

Grade: A++

A second take from Steve T

Note: Steve (Unitog) is our resident Peep in training. Much like Top Gun, we put our trainees through a rigorous training regime before setting them loose. This is Steve's first review for RunPee. We'd be delighted if you left him feedback in the comments below.

Top Gun 1986 was a classic movie for me. Therefore, Top Gun: Maverick had some expectations to overcome. I'm happy to say they did what good sequels do: respect and acknowledge what came before while telling a new story. I'll try not to make too many comparisons between the two movies, but we all know it's going to happen.

High flying action intermixed with some funny moments, drama, and love interest. Those coming in with the expectation of a shoot-em-up will be disappointed. Until they are on the mission they have been training for. I enjoyed TG: Maverick for the ride that it was.

I'm not going to lie, there are similarities between the two movies. I know some naysayers might say it's just a remake of the first one. A little formulaic. My counter would be the first Top Gun was just training them for dog fighting. With enemy dogfights at the beginning and end of the movie. While TG: Maverick had the training montages sure. But they're training for a specific mission this time. I concede the point that this formula could be used for innumerable sequels. The basic components are the same: pilots, planes, training, and combat. The formula worked 36 years ago. Why not give it another go, for the younger generations.

Like the first TG, I assume this movie will inspire some people to try to become pilots.

Tell a friend to see it?
Yes

Would I rewatch it?
Yes

Would I want to own a copy?
Yes

Must-see in theaters?
Not a must-see in the theater. But I can tell they tried to maximize the IMAX experience. Might not transfer to the home experience.

Do you need to see the original to enjoy this one?
I don't think you do. You probably could enjoy it for what it is. But it helps with the motivation and understanding of some of the drama.

Steve's grade: A

Plot
After more than thirty years of service as one of the Navy's top aviators, Pete Mitchell is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him.

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