Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

Top Gun: Maverick

• This movie was absolutely insane and super thrilling. I can honestly say that one of my biggest movie regrets was not seeing this in theaters. I wanted to, but I kept putting it off until it was too late, and I definitely paid for that decision. It probably would’ve been one of the coolest movie experiences ever, and I’m definitely kicking myself over not seeing it. I’d definitely say I liked this one better than the first, and it’s also a better movie. The story was really good, and it kept me sucked in from the very beginning to the final frame. I love seeing where Maverick is after thirty years, and what he’s done with his life. I also really love seeing him not as the apprentice, but as the master. It’s also cool to see him go full circle. The movie also introduces several new characters, and it doesn’t ride on the characters of the first movie, minus Maverick and Iceman. As I said before, the story was good, and unlike the first movie, it actually leads forward to a bigger event. I loved watching the graduated pilots train for something bigger, instead of just repeating the events of the first movie. And the final 30ish minutes of the movie are some of the best I’ve seen in a long time. Right when you think it’s over, something keeps happening, and you’re fooled several times. It almost has a Mission: Impossible-esque look and feel, which gives this movie a more exciting feel than the first one. The movie also felt a lot like A New Hope, in terms of the flight scenes. Everything the pilots train for feels eerily similar to the trench run in A New Hope, so that also gave the movie a really exciting vibe to it. The flight sequences were, like the first one, very well shot. Especially the mission at the end. It had my heart racing almost the entire time, and it was super gripping. That’s why I wish I had gone to see this in theaters. The flight scenes in RPX would’ve been indescribable. Most of the characters were really great, and though some were very strict and stern, they were still played beautifully. I really loved Tom Cruise of course, but the addition of Miles Teller and Jon Hamm were great choices. I also loved the return of Iceman. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t get emotional when he and Maverick were reunited. I also love how they incorporated Kilmer’s real life ailments to Iceman’s character, which was a very mindful and respectful thing to do. (BIG SPOILER) It especially hit me hard in the funeral scene, because even though you may be expecting it, it’s still a punch in the gut. One of my favorite things that the movie looks at is Maverick and Rooster’s relationship. Seeing Maverick trying to live with the past memories of Goose was sad, and you can understand how he felt. Watching him try to live with himself, and then patch everything up with Rooster was a great addition to the story. It helps keep it interesting, and even during the breaks with no action, there was still something to pay attention to. The music was great, and it had the same 80’s feel as the first movie, as well as some new, more modern music. There were also some patriotic themes that played, which helped add to the setting. Overall, I would highly recommend this movie to all action fans. You need some prior knowledge before watching it, and I would definitely say to watch Top Gun before this one. And if you do, you’ll appreciate this movie so much more. This film is officially Berry Approved, so go check it out now!