Nostalgic Flight

An air of nostalgia emerges the moment you begin watching Top Gun: Maverick. Leading the charge in the film and of the fighter jets in the secret mission to destroy the enemy’s uranium enrichment plant is Tom Cruise. He brings back memories from yesteryears when he appeared in Top Gun in 1986. Top Gun: Maverick opens with a slow soundtrack that made Top Gun popular. As we see Tom Cruise sporting a navy uniform walking down the tarmac to his plane, we are transported back to the 1980s. There are several references to how Maverick, even after three decades, feels responsible for the death of Nick “Goose” Bradshaw (Anthony Edwards), Maverick’s Radar Intercept Officer and best friend. He lost his life in Top Gun (1986) when his head hit the aircraft canopy during ejection. The millennial viewers would need to research Top Gun (1986) before they watch Top Gun: Maverick. Those who did watch the 1986 film will experience chills when the characters make references to the past.

Without making any spoilers, the story is about Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise). The film begins when Maverick bypasses orders and tests the hypersonic “Darkstar” and touches the 10.0 g mark. He is called for an explanation by Rear Admiral Chester “Hammer” Cain (Ed Harris), who leads the Darkstar program. Maverick fears facing punishment but Cain informs him that he has been recalled to the Top Gun program. Maverick meets Vice Admiral Beau “Cyclone” Simpson (Jon Hamm), the commander of the Naval Air Force, and Rear Admiral Solomon “Warlock” Bates (Charles Parnell), commander of Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center. Both are curious as to why Maverick is still a Captain after all these years.

Maverick finds himself surrounded by young pilots who he needs training for precision flying so they can destroy the enemy’s uranium enrichment facility. They have only one shot and are already running behind schedule. Maverick’s past haunts him yet again when he finds that one of the pilots in the mission group is Lt. Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw (Miles Teller). He is the son of Late Nick “Goose” Bradshaw. Emotions run high as Rooster thinks Maverick is responsible for what happened to his father. Lt. Jake “Hangman” Seresin (Glen Powell), another mission candidate, develops friction with Rooster that Maverick tries to end. Rooster also realizes that someone does not want him to fly again. This aggravates his tempers even further. Despite the emotional attacks Maverick faces from Rooster and Hangman, he keeps his focus on the mission. He also gets advice from Admiral Tom “Iceman” Kazansky (Val Kilmer), the commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, a former rival, and Maverick’s close friend. Iceman was Top Gun’s student in the 1986 film, where he was Maverick’s rival but later became his friend and wingman. After Iceman passed away because of throat cancer, Cyclone removes Maverick as the mission lead. However, adamant about proving his worth, Maverick performs an unauthorized flight of the simulated course and proves that the mission can be completed. Cyclone has no option but to reinstate Maverick as the mission lead. Will he and his team complete the mission? Will Maverick and Rooster bury the hatchet? Viewers need to find out.

The story focuses on how Maverick learned life’s lessons both in the air and with his love interest, Penelope “Penny” Benjamin (Jennifer Connelly). There is action from the first scene till the last. Some moments will make you jump out of your seat and some moments transport you back to when it all began – 1986. Joseph Kosinski, who previously directed Tron: Legacy (2010) and Tom Cruise starring Oblivion (2013), directs Top Gun: Maverick and does a pretty “top” job.