Top Gun: Maverick

With the original film having come out back in 1986, being the biggest film of that year and launching Tom Cruise as the box office star that the world knows him as, Top Gun: Maverick certainly had a lot to prove after over 30. Fortunately, this sequel is not only kick-ass but is strong in its writing, acting, direction, and accurate portrayal of how one flies Naval combat jets. The film sees Cruise's Pete "Maverick" Mitchell having to train young graduates from the same academy he attended, including the son of his best friend, who died in the first film. They all have to be precise and settle their differences in order to take part in a dangerous mission that could get them killed. Director Joseph Kosinski puts together a very elaborate action drama with a lot of heart and wonderful love letter to aviation. Regular Cruise collaborator Christopher McQuarrie cowrites with Ehren Kruger and Eric Warren Singer and they craft such a remarkable story that never feels like anything is unnecessary, with every single thing you see never feeling rushed or too slow, having good comedic bits balanced with great drama, and characters you get to know and fleshed out. One odd thing I do find is that they never state who their mission is against, whether it's another country or terrorist organization. The cinematography from Claudio Miranda is stunning, especially as he worked with the actors to set up the cameras in the jets to get actual shots in flight. With high octane action and piloting, it helps that editor Eddie Hamilton did a phenomenal job at not only pacing it well but how great the flight scenes are no matter how chaotic. Another collaboration in this film is the music done between Harold Faltermeyer, Lady Gaga, Hans Zimmer, and Lorne Balfe who all create music that is a good mix of modern and 80s. Of course all that would not matter if it weren't for the performances from the cast whether they're returning like Cruise and Val Kilmer, or the newcomers like Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, and Glenn Powell who all provide so much to their characters that make them feel real. Very rarely does one find a film so perfect and with so little flaws, but Top Gun: Maverick is one of those rare ones. Over all: 100%

2022 top list so far:

1. Top Gun: Maverick

2. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

3. The Northman

4. The Batman

5. Dog

6. Everything Everywhere All at Once

7. X 2022

8. Scream 2022

9. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

10. Sonic the Hedgehog 2

11. Uncharted