Hello, all!
Several folks mentioned TOP GUN: MAVERICK when I’d initially debuted this latest self-indulgent film “series” of mine, and I have to confess that I was holding my breath for it to be good because, given the parameters I’d set for myself in writing the series, the pickings were getting pretty slim. Thankfully, Tom Cruise and company delivered bigtime with what for me is just about the quintessential summer blockbuster movie.
To say the least, I was happy that the film turned out to be so good…
Okay, maybe not that happy, but this is a fantastic follow-up to the original TOP GUN, paying some real fanservice to those who enjoyed the original film while providing for an organic world for the sequel to inhabit. Yeah, the physics are [per an Air Force veteran relative of mine] somewhat Gilligan’s Island in nature at times – for example, “Maverick ejecting from a Mach 10 test vehicle and having any part of his body attached to any other part of his body” – but you’ve got to suspend just a little disbelief when you head to the movies, and this flick delivers entertaining escapism in abundance.
Although everyone has probably seen the original, you don’t need to have seen it to enjoy this film… but, if you have seen the original, you’ll definitely appreciate the subplot between “Rooster” and “Maverick.” There are lots of scenes that call back to the original in ways that aren’t screaming “Look at me!” The fly-by of the tower, the beach football montage replacing the beach volleyball montage, even the subplot involving Jennifer Connelly is a reference to a throwaway line in the original. Of course, it took over thirty-five years for the sequel to hit the silver screen, so they had plenty of time to correct any issues with the script… and the result is a flick that is well worth the wait.
For those of you who managed to forget about the original whilst waiting for this sequel, however, feel free to check out the Honest Trailer for the original below:
Isn’t it interesting how ON THREE different occasions, that first film had a song about going to the “danger zone”? Jussayin’.
So, this sequel is pretty much awesome… but it gets even better when you see how it ties into the upcoming football season. You could talk about how we’re in the “danger zone” of a coach’s second year, particularly one in which the expectations are through the roof, but given our high-powered offense, it’s only appropriate to say that
At this point, we all do. Enjoy the movie, and let’s enjoy the season. Go Vols!
Other films recommended:
[Day 1 - THE DARK KNIGHT; Day 2 - DESPERADO; Day 3 - THE ROAD WARRIOR; Day 4 - X2: X-MEN UNITED; Day 5 - TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY; Day 6 - DAWN OF THE DEAD; Day 7 - DEADPOOL 2; Day 8 - HOT SHOTS! PART DEUX; Day 9 - STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN; Day 10 - THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS; Day 11 - CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER; Day 12 - ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES; Day 13 - PADDINGTON 2; Day 14 - RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET; Day 15 - LETHAL WEAPON 2; Day 16 - FINAL DESTINATION 2; Day 17 - FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE; Day 18 - NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION; Day 19 - THE RAID 2; Day 20 - THE BOURNE SUPREMACY; Day 21 - SPIDER-MAN 2; Day 22 - EVIL DEAD 2: DEAD BY DAWN; Day 23 - X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST; Day 24 - BLADE II; Day 25 - BILL & TED'S BOGUS JOURNEY; Day 26 - THE GODFATHER PART II; Day 27 - STAR WARS EPISODE V: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK; Day 28 - TOY STORY 2; Day 29 - SUPERMAN II; Day 30 - ALIENS]
Several folks mentioned TOP GUN: MAVERICK when I’d initially debuted this latest self-indulgent film “series” of mine, and I have to confess that I was holding my breath for it to be good because, given the parameters I’d set for myself in writing the series, the pickings were getting pretty slim. Thankfully, Tom Cruise and company delivered bigtime with what for me is just about the quintessential summer blockbuster movie.
To say the least, I was happy that the film turned out to be so good…
Okay, maybe not that happy, but this is a fantastic follow-up to the original TOP GUN, paying some real fanservice to those who enjoyed the original film while providing for an organic world for the sequel to inhabit. Yeah, the physics are [per an Air Force veteran relative of mine] somewhat Gilligan’s Island in nature at times – for example, “Maverick ejecting from a Mach 10 test vehicle and having any part of his body attached to any other part of his body” – but you’ve got to suspend just a little disbelief when you head to the movies, and this flick delivers entertaining escapism in abundance.
Although everyone has probably seen the original, you don’t need to have seen it to enjoy this film… but, if you have seen the original, you’ll definitely appreciate the subplot between “Rooster” and “Maverick.” There are lots of scenes that call back to the original in ways that aren’t screaming “Look at me!” The fly-by of the tower, the beach football montage replacing the beach volleyball montage, even the subplot involving Jennifer Connelly is a reference to a throwaway line in the original. Of course, it took over thirty-five years for the sequel to hit the silver screen, so they had plenty of time to correct any issues with the script… and the result is a flick that is well worth the wait.
For those of you who managed to forget about the original whilst waiting for this sequel, however, feel free to check out the Honest Trailer for the original below:
Isn’t it interesting how ON THREE different occasions, that first film had a song about going to the “danger zone”? Jussayin’.
So, this sequel is pretty much awesome… but it gets even better when you see how it ties into the upcoming football season. You could talk about how we’re in the “danger zone” of a coach’s second year, particularly one in which the expectations are through the roof, but given our high-powered offense, it’s only appropriate to say that
At this point, we all do. Enjoy the movie, and let’s enjoy the season. Go Vols!
Other films recommended:
[Day 1 - THE DARK KNIGHT; Day 2 - DESPERADO; Day 3 - THE ROAD WARRIOR; Day 4 - X2: X-MEN UNITED; Day 5 - TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY; Day 6 - DAWN OF THE DEAD; Day 7 - DEADPOOL 2; Day 8 - HOT SHOTS! PART DEUX; Day 9 - STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN; Day 10 - THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS; Day 11 - CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER; Day 12 - ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES; Day 13 - PADDINGTON 2; Day 14 - RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET; Day 15 - LETHAL WEAPON 2; Day 16 - FINAL DESTINATION 2; Day 17 - FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE; Day 18 - NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION; Day 19 - THE RAID 2; Day 20 - THE BOURNE SUPREMACY; Day 21 - SPIDER-MAN 2; Day 22 - EVIL DEAD 2: DEAD BY DAWN; Day 23 - X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST; Day 24 - BLADE II; Day 25 - BILL & TED'S BOGUS JOURNEY; Day 26 - THE GODFATHER PART II; Day 27 - STAR WARS EPISODE V: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK; Day 28 - TOY STORY 2; Day 29 - SUPERMAN II; Day 30 - ALIENS]
