Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
A soaring experience that pays homage to the original.
Presentation:
Shot on Sony, the cinematography relies on incredibly immersive flight sequences to carry the presentation. It should be appreciated that this film was executed in an age where the majority could have been filmed with green screen. Tom Cruise carries the film emotionally almost singlehandedly. One of the last blockbuster stars. An experience that should be viewed on the big screen.
Story:
The premise is very engaging as Cruise leads young pilots on an impossible mission. With incremental challenges, this allows for character development and the emotional ride to develop, however the main point of tension between Cruise and Teller are a bit cliche, left only to be finally resolved admist gunfire. The impossible mission could have succeeded if not for an unrealistic climax, with plot armor so thick removing all risk and stake from the experience.
Conclusion:
The film successful delivers everything you want from a sequel, fan service, nods to the original, similar tone, and adding something new to the mix. However, a cliche climax and invisible enemy due to politics don't convince you of a formidable enemy with high stakes.
Recommendations
Not the smashing you expected.