I grew up in the 80s and I loved the Top Gun movie and believe it or not even the NES game I got for Christmas in 1988. Yet, when I heard they were making a sequel, I wondered why and felt that it was like 20 years too late. Well, more fool me because Top Gun: Maverick is a whole lot of fun and well worth making the effort to see in the theatre.
How to Download Top Gun: Maverick
You can expect to stream or download the film from Paramount Plus some time after its theatrical release which should not be sooner than 45 days after the film’s premiere or 27 May 2022. Click on the Download button at the end of this review to check the current availability.
Top Gun: Maverick Review
This is a full-on sequel and once again Tom Cruise is reprising his role as the hotshot Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchel. Tom Cruise is clearly having a great time with this role. Seeing him cause trouble for those above him and having that trademark Maverick grin and playfulness is awesome to see all these years later.
The plot of the movie sees called in to train a group of very talented young pilots for a very dangerous mission. While Maverick’s methods may not be what those above him always like, he is truly one of the greatest pilots of all time and he is the best shot at making sure this mission goes off without a hitch.
Just like the first Top Gun movie, the cast of characters here has a ton of personality. We have Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw who is the son of Goose from the first movie. Miles Teller is amazing in this role, I actually think I would put his performance here right behind Whiplash as my favorite of his, plus he bares a really eerie resemblance to Goose!
Another character that I really liked was Natasha “Phoenix” Trace. The first movie was a real “man’s” movie and was a product of its time for how things were in the military. Seeing a badass female pilot like Phoenix here is awesome and she is a character that I felt really shined. Of course, it is not Top Gun without Ice Man and while he may have seen better days, it is awesome seeing Val Kilmer back on the big screen.
Of course, we are without Kelly McGillis as Charlie, but Maverick does still get to have a love interest in this movie. Jennifer Colony (who just gets more attractive the older she gets!) plays the role of Penny. Penny is a single mom and she is a great fit for Maverick, plus her dad was a former military man as well.
What I love about Top Gun: Maverick is what I have come to really appreciate about the original 80s Top Gun over the years. That is the movie does not take itself too seriously and director Joseph Kosinski could not have captured the spirit of the original any better in my opinion and that is why I had so much fun with it.
While it is fun, the flight scenes in this movie are breathtaking. As much as I love the original, the training and combat missions in Top Gun: Maverick blow away what they were able to do in the original. Of course, technology has come a long way since 1986, but man I was so shocked at how great this movie looked.
I would not say that Top Gun: Maverick is the kind of movie that is going to lead to deep discussions. However, as far as a popcorn and fun kind of movie goes, this is one of the best of the year so far. I had a great time watching this and I know for sure it will be one I pick up on 4K when it is released.
