In the original movie from 1986, the strategic enemy was pretty amorphous, but you knew it was the Soviet Union. "MiGs" were really the only name they were given, but clearly that is a Russian fighter plane. That was ok because the movie isn't about geopolitics, it's about personal struggle. That external foe is also pretty incidental because most of the film is set in the context of being in fighter pilot school.
The problem now is that there really is no technologically matched, much less superior, enemy for the United States to fight. The plot again centers around the personal struggles of Maverick - through his relationship to Rooster and Penny - but these relationships are all evolving in the context of preparing to fight an enemy and destroy their technology. Who is this enemy? We don't know. At first I figured it was an analogue for Iran, but the battle takes place in a snowy climate. So I guess maybe we are going at Russia again, except it's offense this time? Some part of China? What is clear is that this enemy has our pilots outgunned with technologically superior aircraft. Seriously?
That being said, it was a really fun movie, and I am glad the traditional action film isn't totally dead.
Speaking of which, Ed Harris tells Maverick that the age of the fighter pilot is coming to an end and AI is going to take over. It's been noted elsewhere, and I would like to endorse, that this is really about telling Tom Cruise that the traditional action star is a dying breed. Needless to say, Tom is not having it.
Other observations:
Jon Hamm is amazing.
Southern California's beauty is unmatched.
I very much enjoyed the ensemble of (much more diverse) Top Gun grads that Maverick is leading.
The beach football scene wasn't as great and gay-baity as the original film's volleyball scene. Is volleyball less popular today than in 1986?
Penny owns a bar and somehow drives a Porsche, has an enormous sail boat and a charming bungalow in San Diego. Almost as unbelievable as the rest of the plot.
I wish Bob's character was more developed.
The Gaga song was good and wish it came earlier in the film (unless I missed it the first time).
The scene with Val Kilmer's Iceman was a poignant moment and the writers did a good job making space for him in the movie. Despite everything, he still has great hair, which is more than I can say for myself.
Maverick set Rooster back several years at the academy for reasons I won't spoil. This is actually kind of important because it's been 36 years since the original movie, so Rooster needs to be almost 40 for the timeline to work.
In the current moment, it's amazing how easy it is to cheer on a plot where a country launches a pre-emptive strike on its enemy. When it's your country, it just feels right. What even is sovereignty? The rules-based order for thee but not for me.
The problem now is that there really is no technologically matched, much less superior, enemy for the United States to fight. The plot again centers around the personal struggles of Maverick - through his relationship to Rooster and Penny - but these relationships are all evolving in the context of preparing to fight an enemy and destroy their technology. Who is this enemy? We don't know. At first I figured it was an analogue for Iran, but the battle takes place in a snowy climate. So I guess maybe we are going at Russia again, except it's offense this time? Some part of China? What is clear is that this enemy has our pilots outgunned with technologically superior aircraft. Seriously?
That being said, it was a really fun movie, and I am glad the traditional action film isn't totally dead.
Speaking of which, Ed Harris tells Maverick that the age of the fighter pilot is coming to an end and AI is going to take over. It's been noted elsewhere, and I would like to endorse, that this is really about telling Tom Cruise that the traditional action star is a dying breed. Needless to say, Tom is not having it.
Other observations:
Jon Hamm is amazing.
Southern California's beauty is unmatched.
I very much enjoyed the ensemble of (much more diverse) Top Gun grads that Maverick is leading.
The beach football scene wasn't as great and gay-baity as the original film's volleyball scene. Is volleyball less popular today than in 1986?
Penny owns a bar and somehow drives a Porsche, has an enormous sail boat and a charming bungalow in San Diego. Almost as unbelievable as the rest of the plot.
I wish Bob's character was more developed.
The Gaga song was good and wish it came earlier in the film (unless I missed it the first time).
The scene with Val Kilmer's Iceman was a poignant moment and the writers did a good job making space for him in the movie. Despite everything, he still has great hair, which is more than I can say for myself.
Maverick set Rooster back several years at the academy for reasons I won't spoil. This is actually kind of important because it's been 36 years since the original movie, so Rooster needs to be almost 40 for the timeline to work.
In the current moment, it's amazing how easy it is to cheer on a plot where a country launches a pre-emptive strike on its enemy. When it's your country, it just feels right. What even is sovereignty? The rules-based order for thee but not for me.