Top Gun: Maverick is soaring high with no prospects of landing any time soon. The sequel to the universally acclaimed Top Gun (1986) has broken several box-office records in just two weeks. From becoming the first $100M debut for Tom Cruise to having the lowest second-week drop recorded, Maverick lives up to the hype in glorious style. But apart from all its box-office theatrics, Top Gun: Maverick might be one of the last of its kind against the inevitability of streaming platforms taking over theaters.
After Top Gun‘s massive success back in 1986 which practically made Tom Cruise into Hollywood’s heartthrob, the actor had received multiple requests to work on a sequel. However, the Mission Impossible star had envisaged an entirely different plan to deliver a jaw-dropping, gravity-defying sequel. According to Cruise, working on a sequel right after Top Gun would have been ‘irresponsible’. But then, what changed?
Top Gun: Maverick is a Dying War For Theaters
After 36 years, Tom Cruise returned as ‘Maverick’ for the Top Gun sequel. In a time where sequels are a dime a dozen, Maverick shines as a true Hollywood blockbuster reminding Hollywood that cinema is not dead yet. As one of the last true-blue Hollywood icons, Tom Cruise delivers an unparalleled cinematic experience, a far cry from oversaturated color palettes and mediocre CGI-filled explosions. Notorious for his attention-to-detail perfectionism, Cruise leaves no stone unturned to deliver a true masterclass, that arguably triumphs over the original Top Gun.
Despite Top Gun‘s meteoric success, Tom Cruise didn’t fall prey to the temptation of a sequel right off the bat. Apart from his anti-war ideology which he mentioned after the release of Born on the Fourth of July, the actor sincerely believed that Hollywood lacked the technology to bring his vision to life. As a true futuristic thinker, Cruise’s vision was delivered on a grand scale as Top Gun: Maverick has now collected over $569M and is expected to break Mission Impossible: Fallout‘s collection in no time.
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One of the underlying messages of the Top Gun saga has always been Man over Machine. Despite making fighter jets look massively badass, Maverick always reminded the viewer that it’s always the person behind those cool consoles who seize the day. Almost as if a metaphysical allegory, the film transcends into a human triumph where authenticity is the name of the game. Tom Cruise’s belief in using practical effects over green screens amply delivers the message that why, even at 57 years of age, he is still the king of the action genre. But more than that, Cruise also proves that he is still immune to the inevitability of streaming that has consumed Hollywood in its entirety.
Top Gun: Maverick Delivers an Unparalleled Cinematic Experience
From real fighter jets to surviving extreme G-force, the entire cast of Top Gun: Maverick was definitely a treat to watch on the largest screen possible. While the movie never boasts of an intricate plot, it adroitly balances nostalgia with themes of guilt and redemption which truly makes Maverick an unforgettable cinematic experience. Moreover, Top Gun: Maverick would have surely made the late Tony Scott extremely proud.
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In a time when the industry is rife with mindless sequels, pointless cameos, and big-budget tentpoles filled with CGI which get released on a myriad of streaming platforms, Maverick is a tight slap in the face to remind the audience that theaters are not dead yet. In its moments of glory, Maverick never forgets to deliver moments of heartwarming scenes, especially one involving Val Kilmer’s Iceman. Interestingly, Cruise was never going to go forward with the sequel without Kilmer, which seamlessly transitioned into one of the most powerful scenes in the movie.
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From using the iconic soundtrack from the original Top Gun to still making label-filled denim jackets look cool, Maverick stands victorious in an industry obsessed with capes and cameos. Starring one of the greatest and most controversial Hollywood stars in recent times, the movie gives a sneak-peek into Cruise as a man who really pushes the limits for entertainment. While Tom Cruise and his kind might be heading towards extinction in the inevitable march of streaming platforms (and time?), that day is not today.
Top Gun: Maverick is now soaring in theaters.
