Top Gun: Maverick (2022) 9.10pm, Saturday, Channel 4
‘’Maverick. Thirty-plus years of service. Combat medals. Citations. Only man to shoot down three enemy planes in the last 40 years’’
There has been a strong nostalgia vibe running through many recent blockbusters, but it runs through this one like a stick of rock. Fasten your seat belts as the Cruiser reteams with his Oblivion director for a sequel to the movie that launched the former into the stratosphere in 1986. Thirtysix years may have passed (though you wouldn’t know it by looking at the lead actor) but the Cruiser is still only a captain; a consequence of his rebellious, maverick nature (‘’you should be a two-star general by now, or a Senator’’). That said, he’s still the best pilot in the business so the army brass (Ed Harris and Jon Hamm) call on him to mentor a crack team of young pilots for a daring mission. The fact that these hot-shots include including Maverick’s late pal Goose’s son, Bradley (Miles Teller), adds an extra frisson to proceedings.
Top Gun: Maverick is a movie that knows exactly which buttons to press. The aerial sequences (no CGI here) are thrilling, and the drama manages to strike the right balance between modern warfare and nostalgia for a hugely popular movie. And while the action mostly centres around Tom, the supporting cast, notably Teller, gal pal Jennifer Connelly, and arrogant hot shot pilot Glen Powell all make an impact. And watch out for a moving cameo from Val Kilmer. Top Gun: Maverick, which made $1.5 billion at the worldwide box-o ce, and is dedicated to the memory of original Top Gun (1986) director, Tony Scott.