If you've been listening to our show for a while- you know this is the one of the most eagerly anticipated movies (for me) to come along in a long, long time.
Sure there have been movies I was excited to see - but NOTHING comes close to how badly I wanted to see this one. Of course, the fact that it was delayed for years due to Covid only served to make me want to see it more.
But anyway- before I say another word - let me say this - so we're all clear on one thing:
I believe Tom Cruise is probably crazy. And I also think that the cult of Scientology - that disguises itself as a church, should be put out of business. And make no mistake about it - IT'S A BUSINESS.
I also believe this:
Tom Cruise- is the last of the great movie stars.
Like him - or his religious craziness - or not- the guy is the last of the megawatt stars in the movie industry. If Cruise wants something, he gets it. Why? Because he makes big movies that make money.
This movie wasn't even going to be made. Then one day - the director had a meeting with Cruise- and made his pitch. He described the story and what he wanted it to be, and how they would continue the Maverick saga.
Cruise sat across from the director and listened. When the director was through- Cruise picked up his phone and called the head of the movie studio and said " I want to make another Top Gun".
And the head of the studio said - "Done". THAT's what great movie stars do.
Now- to the movie- if you're one of the 4 people on the planet who didn't see it this weekend- here's the trailer:
I won't make you wait any longer: Top Gun: Maverick - is the most satisfying sequel ever made. (I didn't say "greatest sequel" - because that is clearly Godfather ll) - but THIS one is the most SATISFYING.
Maverick gives you everything you want - from call backs to things in the original (hell, even "Danger Zone" makes an appearance), to new characters (Miles Teller) who are really good, to a storyline that, while at some points a bit over the top - is still believable. Maverick gets in trouble once again as a pilot and is given one last mission, but it's complicated emotionally, and very dangerous. That's all I'll tell you about the story.
Cruise is Cruise- so there's that. He's always good in whatever he does - BUT- the star in this movie - is the cinematography. The flight footage is INSANE. The camera angles are awesome- and you can tell that much - if not most - of it was really filmed while they were flying. NO bogus CGI horseshit here. And it's riveting.
Finally - a blockbuster that doesn't have robots or super heroes!!!
TOP GUN: MAVERICK is worth the wait, plain and simple.
Is it brain surgery? No. Is it a "deep" movie? Nope. But it delivers on EVERY level (drama, thrills, emotional moments, laughs)- and when's the last time you can say that about a movie?
It's a movie that MUST be seen on a big screen - and the bigger the better!! (I saw it in an RPX theater - which Im pretty sure is some sort of abbreviation that just means "FRIGGIN LOUD!!!- but it was awesome).
And while I might not be a fan of Cruise's choice of cults......errrrr, I mean - "religion" - who the hell am I to say? I'm just gonna focus on his work and let him do him. I can still pray that that church gets shut down on my own time....heh heh.
SEE TOP GUN: MAVERICK.
It might not save the movie theater industry - but it's the best shot in the arm it's had in a long time....
And I'll stand by this statement: It is THE most satisfying sequel ever.
I give it a 9.5 out of 10.
Let me know what you think -
greg@morningbuzz.com
g