Top Gun, I feel the need…..
It’s 37 years since I first sat in the Odeon Sheffield with a bunch of friends watching Top Gun. We were on the edge of our seats from the opening chime of bells and rising organ chords through to the final scenes of success. For young men and women, it was the film of the decade; conflict, loss, recovery and at the time some of the best action sequences ever seen. It also started the craze of singing “You never close your eyes anymore” to women all over the world. Yes, I tried it too and yes, I crashed and burned, but it was good fun.
This week I went to see Top Gun Maverick, this time with my partner, Mel, who is also a Top Gun fan. Were we disappointed at them trying to revive such a timeless classic? No, we were not. From the opening instrumental, where the start is an updated version of the original film of deck launches from an aircraft carrier, we were hooked.
Yes, you have to suspend belief a bit at some of Tom Cruise’s antics, but you soon forgive them in the way only Tom could get away with. The film is almost a remake of the first, with a new love interest in Jennifer Connelly as the admiral’s daughter drawing lots of throwbacks to the original film. You don’t need to have seen the original but if you did and liked it, you’ll love this.
Much of the soundtrack is the same too so you are always on a wave of nostalgia. There are some new additions and the introduction of the Who to the first aerial sequence is brilliantly paced and timed and seems like it was written for the scene. To say much more about the film would give too much away.
Mel is already pushing for a second viewing and I can’t wait. If you like an action movie with not too much of a serious plot but lots of high paced action, then get down to your local cinema and check out Top Gun Maverick. You won’t be disappointed.
