{"id":20694,"date":"2022-06-18T17:30:44","date_gmt":"2022-06-18T16:30:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/weareactors.com\/?p=20694"},"modified":"2022-08-06T18:56:34","modified_gmt":"2022-08-06T17:56:34","slug":"top-gun-maverick-re","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/weareactors.com\/top-gun-maverick-re\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Gun Maverick Review"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The sequel to Top Gun ups the game – presenting an even more formulaic and glossy ad for the military than the original. Conservatives, turn that frown upside down and bask in brutal warfare used as the punchline for inside jokes. And don\u2019t worry about your precious \u201cgood ol\u2019 days,\u201d there\u2019s only one featured woman pilot (strong standout Monica Barbaro) and a few wisecracks about gender so the woke liberals don\u2019t get too ahead of themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In all seriousness though, Maverick is one of the most American films I\u2019ve ever laid my eyes on – if we\u2019re focusing on the part of America which favors formality and the unspoken over difficult conversations. The sound design reflects the tone, with interior scenes so quiet and repressed you wonder if it\u2019s easier to be in the plane. The manipulative score rears its head to remind us that this is a film about heroes, love and forgiveness – as if we need the tip every two seconds. Kudos to editing team Eddie Hamilton and Chris Lebenzon for cutting fast enough to make us forget lesser scenes, and to Claudio Miranda for camerawork and framing that remains quite stunning throughout.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Claudio Miranda plays with shadow and light flares throughout<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The only other element which saves this otherwise predictable sequel is the fantastic ensemble, who embody their often-lacking characters with admirable depth. Miles Teller shows off piano skills, strong characterization and his ability to draw out emotional range in plastic material. Jennifer Connelly gives strength to her extremely dull \u201clove interest storyline\u201d which feels like the shadow of cinema past haunting today. Glen Powell, Jon Hamm and Charles Parnell all turn in decent work as take-your-pick-army-guy. Of course, the main reason we\u2019ve bought a ticket is to see Tom Cruise, and he doesn\u2019t disappoint. Sure, we watch him give that strange smile as he tries to race a plane taking off with his motorcycle, but this is not young Cruise. He is assured, present and quite vulnerable in the more affecting moments – often involving the presence of Val Kilmer\u2019s Iceman or Teller\u2019s Rooster. He can be relied on to save the film from itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking for a fun time at the movies where you can cheer, laugh, see amazing flight sequences and enjoy some Lady Gaga compositions, Top Gun is the film for you. If you\u2019re looking for material which will challenge you or stick with you after the credits roll, stay home for this one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top Gun: Maverick is now playing in Theaters Everywhere<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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