A far cry from the danger zone.
If early viewer reactions are anything to go by, then Tom Cruise’s long-delayed Top Gun: Maverick isn’t just good as it’s already being praised as “perfect” and the “best film of the year”.
After experiencing an extended-release date delay on account of Covid-19, the follow-up to Tony Scott’s iconic 1986 action drama following a group of top fighter jet pilots finally got its premiere screening at CinemaCon in Las Vegas on Thursday (28 April).
Directed by Tron: Legacy’s Joseph Kosinski, the sequel picks up 30 years after the events of the original film and places Cruise’s Maverick alongside a batch of new recruits led by Whiplash star Miles Teller, plunging them into a new high-flying, tension-ridden ride.
Watch the latest trailer below:
Clip via Paramount Pictures UK
With Cruise introducing the movie via an exclusive video link, the film was then screened for exhibitioners and film journalists – with reactions starting to trickle in online shortly afterwards.
Soon, it became apparent that almost all of them had one thing in common: they all thought the film was pretty great.
Like, really great.
Not sure it’s possible to make a more perfect sequel than Top Gun: Maverick. If you like the original, this is everything you’ve waited 36 years for, balancing nostalgic call-backs with a fresh, dynamic plot and STUNNING aerial photography. Totes emosh, too #TopGunMaverick
— Jamie Graham (@jamie_graham9) April 28, 2022
Total Film journalist Jamie Graham followed up this glowing review with the proclamation: “I’d be stunned if there’s a better blockbuster this year”.
Others, meanwhile. seemed to echo his positive sentiment.
Drew Taylor, writer for US outlet The Wrap said:
“Top Gun: Maverick is a profound cinematic experience and easily the best film of the year.
“What Kosinski, [writer] Christopher McQuarrie, [editor] Eddie Hamilton and of course Tom Cruise have accomplished is epic and intimate, heart-stopping and heartbreaking.
“However, good you think it’ll be, it’s better.”
This praise was added to by film writer and movie-insider Jeff Sneider who tweeted:
“Top Gun: Maverick is the perfect blockbuster. Not only did it feature dazzling aerial combat sequences, but I actually cried, it’s that emotional.
“And call me crazy, but I humbly predict that it WILL land a Best Picture nod next year. It’s not just THAT good, it’s VERY good.”
Absolutely loved #TopGunMaverick. Blown away by the cinematography and flying scenes and of course @TomCruise’s performance. Rest of the cast was great with special props to @Miles_Teller and @glenpowell. This is the kind of movie you want to see on the biggest screen possible. pic.twitter.com/PIfs2aGi2v
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) April 28, 2022
Top Gun Maverick is going to completely blow away fans of the original and may even make some new ones along the way. Truthfully, even though the plot is very dependent on that of the original, I found the film to be better than the original in almost every way. #TopGunMaverick pic.twitter.com/t7P4VLxMeU
— Scott Menzel (@ScottDMenzel) April 28, 2022
While these reactions are certainly glowing, fans of Scott’s original ’80s classic will have to wait until the movie’s official Irish debut on Friday, May 27 to find out if it actually lives up to the hype.
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