Top Gun: Maverick

[MeatHookGekko]

Wait what extended version of TGM!!!

Some thoughts on what was probably trimmed

Spoiler:

1) The Miles Teller/Rooster story is extremely disjointed. There is some shades of a romantic triangle between Rooster/Hangman and Phoenix during the pool hall scene. There is no transition for "why" Rooster suddenly got over his hang ups in the end battle. There are also scant few scenes between the Maverick/Rooster conflict, not enough to resolve it.

2) I'm not sure Phoenix/Bob survived that training accident in a previous cut. The way it's handled is kind of hazy. There might have been some push/pull in having Maverick and Rooster dealing with training losses like this. Or the Navy didn't want to have American pilots die in this film. Especially not after the sensitivity of the recent withdrawal from Afghanistan. There may be an alternative version where some of those planes don't make it out of that canyon.

3) There are likely more scenes with the bonding of the young pilots without Cruise and more on the Hangman/Rooster conflict.

4) There is probably an alternate ending if Cruise died during filming. I mean this is complicated stuff and not without risk. If I was making the movie? Well if the test screenings didn't go well and it looked like a bomb, I'd use an ending where Pete Mitchell dies. Same thing if Cruise died in real life, would almost guarantee a couple of free Oscar wins.

5) Paramount probably wanted a couple of things in the filming process

A) The potential for a third installment, with enough characters and storylines to support that.

B) The potential for a prestige TV series ( starring Glen Powell, Jon Hamm, etc ,etc) with enough characters and storylines to support that.

C) Footage shot for this film that was not used in the final edit that can be slated for a future sequel.

Could Miles Teller carry a third film on his own? There's still money to be made in this franchise. He was a critical darling during Whiplash ( incredible film, incredible performances) and that probably got him this role.

I think he can. The Top Gun name will give them the benefit of the doubt for at least one sequel.

But let's be honest, if there is a Top Gun 3 and Cruise is involved again, they are going into space. What else can they do on Earth at this point? Cruise is going to want to do stunts in space.

 

[jye4ever]

Some thoughts on what was probably trimmed

Spoiler:

1) The Miles Teller/Rooster story is extremely disjointed. There is some shades of a romantic triangle between Rooster/Hangman and Phoenix during the pool hall scene. There is no transition for "why" Rooster suddenly got over his hang ups in the end battle. There are also scant few scenes between the Maverick/Rooster conflict, not enough to resolve it.

2) I'm not sure Phoenix/Bob survived that training accident in a previous cut. The way it's handled is kind of hazy. There might have been some push/pull in having Maverick and Rooster dealing with training losses like this. Or the Navy didn't want to have American pilots die in this film. Especially not after the sensitivity of the recent withdrawal from Afghanistan. There may be an alternative version where some of those planes don't make it out of that canyon.

3) There are likely more scenes with the bonding of the young pilots without Cruise and more on the Hangman/Rooster conflict.

4) There is probably an alternate ending if Cruise died during filming. I mean this is complicated stuff and not without risk. If I was making the movie? Well if the test screenings didn't go well and it looked like a bomb, I'd use an ending where Pete Mitchell dies. Same thing if Cruise died in real life, would almost guarantee a couple of free Oscar wins.

5) Paramount probably wanted a couple of things in the filming process

A) The potential for a third installment, with enough characters and storylines to support that.

B) The potential for a prestige TV series ( starring Glen Powell, Jon Hamm, etc ,etc) with enough characters and storylines to support that.

C) Footage shot for this film that was not used in the final edit that can be slated for a future sequel.

Could Miles Teller carry a third film on his own? There's still money to be made in this franchise. He was a critical darling during Whiplash ( incredible film, incredible performances) and that probably got him this role.

I think he can. The Top Gun name will give them the benefit of the doubt for at least one sequel.

But let's be honest, if there is a Top Gun 3 and Cruise is involved again, they are going into space. What else can they do on Earth at this point? Cruise is going to want to do stunts in space.

K…Kh…Khe…Khev…KHEV!!!

 

[jye4ever]

That was a dumb move by Paramount for putting it on digital this week I wanted it to pass Black Panther in the theater.

 

[MeatHookGekko]

Some very slight movie *SPOILERS* in this interview. Former actual Top Gun instructor Dave Berke talks to Jocko Willink about the accuracy/impact of TGM.

 

[a-dev]

Only saw this tonight. A+ film. An absolute triumph. Everything worked. All the right choices. Heck it's even made me want a Maverick & Penny 'Jerry Maguire'-type spinoff movie. Loved their scenes, very moving romantic score. And wow, incredible use of the original Top Gun music. Goosebump stuff, pun intended.

 

[Khev]

Only saw this tonight. A+ film. An absolute triumph. Everything worked. All the right choices. Heck it's even made me want a Maverick & Penny 'Jerry Maguire'-type spinoff movie. Loved their scenes, very moving romantic score. And wow, incredible use of the original Top Gun music. Goosebump stuff, pun intended.

Oh wow I had no idea that you hadn't seen this before today!

So glad you got to catch it on the big screen. Or (gasp) did you deliberately wait until you could watch it digitally at home?

Either way you can now sit back and soak in my 45 minute YouTube review, lol.

 

[a-dev]

Oh wow I had no idea that you hadn't seen this before today!

So glad you got to catch it on the big screen. Or (gasp) did you deliberately wait until you could watch it digitally at home?

Either way you can now sit back and soak in my 45 minute YouTube review, lol.

I was going to be seeing it with the brother and his fiancee but I had to cancel and I never made any other arrangements. So yeah I saw the digital - watched it on a projector with full sound setup though.

I'll have to go back and listen to your review. I remember I started it when you first posted it but stopped because having not seen the film I couldn't really share in the enthusiasm yet.

 

[Khev]

I was going to be seeing it with the brother and his fiancee but I had to cancel and I never made any other arrangements. So yeah I saw the digital - watched it on a projector with full sound setup though.

I'll have to go back and listen to your review. I remember I started it when you first posted it but stopped because having not seen the film I couldn't really share in the enthusiasm yet.

When you watched it at home did it have shifting aspect ratios?

 

[a-dev]

Hmm, I can't say I noticed.

 

[Khev]

Hmm, I can't say I noticed.

Gotcha. I actually don't care in this case. Both my big screen viewings were in non-IMAX Dolby Laser auditoriums and I thought the standard widescreen was perfect to the point that I wondered if I might actually like an expanded IMAX picture less for this particular film which would be a first.

 

[jye4ever]

Hmm, I can't say I noticed.

I think I know why….

Exhibit A: a-dev’s seating position at home:

 

[a-dev]

I think I know why….

Exhibit A: a-dev’s seating position at home:
View attachment 596220

Your insight into my Jurassic World cinema experience serves you well!

It would certainly explain the trapped nerve and excruciating pain I'm currently in

Tell you what though, wouldn't mind being either of the guys in that picture, check out those womenfolk.

 

[Otomofan]

I intended to see this in IMAX, since I saw the trailer back in 2019 and all the practical flying looked incredible.

But, alas....life got in the way and I never got a chance.

Well, this hit the torrent sites this week so I finally watched it.

It was good. Pretty much a retread of the original, beat for beat, but I enjoyed it. Val Kilmer's scenes were very moving. Everything else was extremely predictable, but still a fun ride. I think it got a tad silly once they both got shot down and had to get out on foot. Also, it was very apparent that Maverick was NOT going to let any of those kids die on his watch, so there was little tension for me as to whether they'd all get out alive. But honestly, I'm glad they didn't kill any of them off for shock value. It's nice to see everyone survive for a change.

Wish I had seen it in IMAX though.

 

[Asta]

The film had more cheese than a fondue party, but someone found something interesting in it.

 

[jye4ever]

Silly Asta why do you think Khev and I condider it a masterpiece

 

[Asta]

Silly Asta why do you think Khev and I condider it a masterpiece

You both have a high tolerance for dairy products?

 

[darth dennis]

I think I know why….

Exhibit A: a-dev’s seating position at home:
View attachment 596220

I feel like the other dude in this pic has a shot at something pretty magical...and has absolutely no clue!

 

[Sweet Rabbit]

The fighter jets cost like $25k an hour or something

 

[Johnny Utah]

Just finished it. Holy hell that was a movie. The best action since Mission Impossible Fallout. Cruise really brings it.

 

[Neal136]