ST. LOUIS — Thirty-three years ago, Tony Scott made a film called Top Gun, starring a little-known actor named Tom Cruise. Made for $15 million, the film was met with mixed reviews, but fans loved it. It made $356 million worldwide, which was a smash hit back in the day.
A sequel seemingly was in the works for many, many years, and found some traction in 2002 when Cruise announced it on an Australian talk show. Ten years later in August of 2012, Scott was set to meet with Cruise about Top Gun 2 but committed suicide a day before their meeting. The project hit a brick wall.
Seven years later, the sequel, Top Gun: Maverick, has been made and a teaser trailer was released at Comic Con this week. Let's just say the wait was worth it, because the two minute-plus clip is rush of blood to the head, bringing back all the feels of the original and some new tricks. The music, the visuals, and the action are all on deck here.
Here are my five takeaways:
5) A Star-Studded Cast Helps
Cruise. Miles Teller. Jon Hamm. Jennifer Connelly. Ed Harris. These aren't just volleyball bods and poster kids; the cast here is electric and perfectly assembled. I am guessing Val Kilmer makes an appearance as Iceman, as will Meg Ryan and Tom Skerritt. This is what Cruise, who essentially acts as a showrunner on his movies, does best. If he brings something back or makes a follow-up, it will look and feel good.
4) The Old Lion Up to Old Tricks Theme Is Alive and Well
In the beginning of the trailer, Harris' voiceover informs us that Cruise's Maverick has not risen through the ranks, instead hitting a ceiling at the Captain rank and refusing to retire or, "to the best of his abilities," die. When the news of a sequel first broke, drones were said to be involved in the plot. The new way of spying, observing, and fighting enemies through the air. I do think it survived the final draft, because fighter jet pilots like Maverick are being phased out. Call me a sucker for the plot setup, but I love one last rides with the immovable and "dangerous" yet highly skilled lead characters. It's a large bag of skittles to me. Bring it.
3) The Jet Action Looks Legit
One of the reasons for the film's release date getting pushed back to June 26, 2020 was the extended shooting and editing process of all the action in the sky. Judging from the teaser, which showcases a lot of need for speed and take-offs/landing/eluding, I can appreciate the patience. The scenes look great, and well updated from the 1986 original. The looks at Cruise inside the cockpit as the plane blazes off the tarmac of the ship never gets old.
2) Cruise on a motorcycle technically means a hit movie
It wouldn't be a Top Gun movie without leather jackets, motorcycle rides next to planes taking off, and a smiling movie star. It's all there, and the track record means an enjoyable film follows.
1) Throwbacks to the Original Memorialize Scott's Vision
Just a few glimpses here, but it looks like Teller, who is playing the son of Anthony Edwards' Goose, will be at a piano singing tunes. There will be shirtless volleyball. A testy instructor (Connelly) whom Maverick has to melt. Salutes before take-offs. Testy confrontations. People telling other people they are dangerous while standing very close. I am all here for it.
Nostalgia, when done right, can be a beautiful thing at the movies. Think of Sylvester Stallone with the Creed movies and his latest Rambo flick. Think about the Mission: Impossible sequels. If the right people are in charge, follow-ups can be a gravy train that makers and consumers can both fit on.
Love or hate Cruise's off-camera lifestyle, you can't deny the guy is a phenomenal movie star, bringing the poignancy and gusto of an aging daredevil right back with that first stare-down of the camera. He's got it, and you can't say no just because he doesn't believe in your religion and likes to jump on Oprah's couch.
33 years ago, Tony Scott made a little movie that became a classic. While he didn't get to see the sequel come together, his vision and soul is clearly visible in the Top Gun: Maverick trailer.
