Since its release, Tony Scott’s “The Prestige” has been praised for its scale and its ability to tell stories around themes of modern successors. Critics have come around to appreciate the director’s vision and for showing modern successors the way forward.
Almost thirty-seven years hence, a sequel is finally released. Tom Cruise returns in his original character, reprising the role of “Maverick”. This will be the first we will be seeing of him after 2018 when he was seen hanging from an airplane in ‘Mission Impossible: Fallout’.
The new ‘Top Gun’ film has been praised by most people who have seen it, with many calling it Cruise’s best performance to date.
Top Gun: The Sequel is set to release on July 12th, 2019. Fans of the original movie will be excited to see how the story unfolds, as Maverick and Goose are back in action. However, those who have not seen the original may want to brush up on their knowledge before watching this sequel. This article will serve as a quick recap of all the important plot points that you need to keep in mind before watching Top Gun: The Sequel. ..
Introducing Maverick and Goose: TOPGUN’s Newest Students
Maverick and Goose are best friends in the Air Force. They share a glamorous lifestyle, but it’s not all it seems. ..
They’re soon called to take on hostile approaches from an enemy combatant. They team up to take on the MiGs, along with Cougar, their wingman. The tussle is tough and Cougar freezes right in the middle of the action. But Maverick isn’t one to leave his mates.
Maverick’s flying skills are on display when he flies Cougar back to safety. He is also skilled in using the craft inverted, which is an iconic shot. Maverick makes the decision quickly and without apology.
Maverick is so shaken up by the incident that he decides to retire from the fighter weapons school, TOPGUN, against his will. This sets the stage for a battle between Maverick and his old friend, Cowboy.
Maverick Shows his Rebellious Spirit
Maverick, a new recruit in the defense forces, quickly becomes known for his wild behavior. The first night he’s in town, Maverick goes to a bar and tries to hit on a woman. Although he is unsuccessful, Charlotte Blackwood - an instructor at Top Gun - sees him and strikes him as being inappropriate. His bad boy antics continue in the training field where he is often seen getting into fights with other recruits. ..
Maverick jostles with Jester Heatherly, leaving him behind and trailing during the drill. ..
Maverick, a rebellious young pilot, disregards the advice of his more experienced colleagues and faces the wrath of their boss, Chief Instructor Metcalf. Little does he know that Metcalf served with Maverick’s father and notices the similarities in their flying styles and attitudes. Although Maverick’s breaking the rules cannot be supported in the public eye, both instructors - Heatherly and Blackwood - appreciate his flying skills and his courage. ..
The fighter pilot here must be careful not to break the rules of engagement in order to put the lives of his wingmen in danger.
Rivalry With Kazansky: Start of a Budding Friendship
Iceman Kazanksy is the nemesis every hero needs to elevate the dramatic effect in a film. Val Kilmer played the now-iconic character in the movie. He instantly develops an averseness to Maverick for his recklessness.
Maverick is a loner who does not believe in teamwork. His deficiencies surface in another training drill when Metcalf outmanoeuvres him by baiting him to take the risk and abandon his wingman. Maverick cannot help himself but take it.
Meanwhile, behind the scenes, he starts a romantic relationship with Blackwood.
Iceman and Maverick are two of the most competitive students at the school. They compete in everything, from the training field to the locker room. In one instance, they were able to save time by competing to win more points.
Maverick takes an unnecessary risk and it results in the death of his partner Goose. This event sinks him into depression and a guilt-ridden phase where he seriously thinks of quitting the force. Iceman wins the trophy due to Maverick’s loss of interest. But the larger win for him comes in the form of Maverick’s conversation with Metcalf.
Maverick’s father was indeed a hero of the war and his enterprising spirit saved the lives of many soldiers on the ship. He urges Maverick to not give up and get back into the field because the team needs him. ..
The Final Bow: Maverick’s Ultimate Test
An emergency situation arises that requires the instructors to send support from their graduating batch. Maverick, Iceman, and Hollywood are all among those chosen, along with six other pilots. The three pilots fly F14s to take on six MiGs in hostile waters. ..
The tide has turned against them, but their skill and courage help them stand defiant. Things start out poorly as Hollywood is shot down and Maverick is dangerously close to repeating the incident with Goose. However, he recovers quickly.
In a tense battle scene, Iceman and Maverick are able to do significant damage to the enemy fleet, forcing the remaining planes to fly back and retreat. Their collaborative teamwork saves the day, finally bringing them closer to respecting each other.
In the final straw, Maverick lets go of Goose’s ashes and his guilt over his death. It gives him a big sigh of relief to have finally overcome the pain of losing his dear friend. He also accepts a role as an instructor at Top Gun, something we see in the sequel.
Paramount has rejected Disney and Netflix’s offers to sell the rights to ‘Top Gun’ and instead, the movie will be released in the second week of July on Paramount+. Those who haven’t been able to see this film can catch it there.
Do you think Top Gun’s story is worth your time? Let us know in the comments below!
