Under the lens takes a deep look at films by focusing in on one or two particular areas of the picture that helped to define it for better or for worse.
Top Gun: Maverick is a 2022 military action thriller directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced by Tom Cruise with a script by Christopher McQuarrie. It stars Tom Cruise, Jon Hamm, Miles Teller, and Jennifer Connelly. The story is set after thirty years after the first Top Gun, Maverick is still pushing the envelope as a top naval aviator, but must confront ghosts of his past when he leads TOP GUN’s elite graduates on a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those chosen to fly it.
UNDER THE LENS: CINEMATOGRAPHY AND SCRIPT
Cinematography: Top Gun: Mavericks cinematography is very simply breathtaking, the inclusion of cameras in the cockpit was a game changer for not only this picture but others as well. Seeing the actors and actresses actually flying and reacting to the G-forces and landscape whizzing past was incredible. I felt like I was inside the cockpit with them experiencing the thrills and anxiety of areal combat.
Script: Christopher McQuarrie‘s script is at once the picture’s weakest and strongest aspect, its military storyline mirrors other famous war pictures such as The Damn Busters or Star Wars. However, the script’s personal and emotional beats were incredibly strong, seeing the fallout of Goose’s death and how it affected not only Maverick but also Rooster. Seeing the classic clash of young vs old and new tech and old was fun and exciting. The script may be utilitarian in its military plot, but at the end of the day we are all here for the personal stories of the pilots, and this script delivers that.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The new cast members all have great chemistry, you feel like they have flown together for years
- The picture has many small cameos and its fun to spot them
- The pictures beach volleyball sequence is everybit as fun as the previous pictures
QUOTABLE QUOTE
Adm. Solomon ‘Warlock’ Bates: Captain Mitchell. You’re where you belong. Make us proud.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
Have you ever had a friend or family member resent you for something you did to protect them?
CONCLUSION
Overall Top Gun: Maverick is the kind of picture that the theaters were made for, it asks its viewer to be fully immersed in its spectacle and action, and takes you along for the ride. It’s anchored by what may be Tom Cruises’ finest performance and one that he absolutely punished his body for. The picture also takes the time to develop its new cast and by the end credits, you will be as much in love with them as Goose and Maverick in the original Top Gun. The picture is slightly dragged down by a formulaic script however the script’s emotional beats overcome the slightly generic military mission. Top Gun Maverick is very simply one of the finest action films of not only this generation but all time.
