If you’re one of the millions of viewers who took a few hours off streaming this week to check out Top Gun: Maverick you may have some questions.
Despite the film’s overwhelmingly positive response, there are some issues that might require further examination.
Warning: Spoilers ahead.
Related:Â Top Gun Is Now Streaming On Netflix
1. Is There More to Cyclone’s Feelings Towards Maverick?
It’s established fairly early on that Vice Admiral Beau “Cyclone” Simpson (Jon Hamm) doesn’t care for Maverick (Tom Cruise). When Iceman (Val Kilmer) – who is now commander of Top Gun school and its training base in San Diego – orders Maverick back to California to lead 12 of the best pilots in the Navy, Cyclone confronts him, voicing disdain for Maverick’s past behavior.
It’s not as if Cyclone’s logic isn’t understandable. Maverick follows no rules except his own. Anyone who has ever served in the military or worked in government know very well how frowned upon this is.
But in Top Gun, this kind of behavior is accepted and celebrated. In the opening act, Maverick takes an aircraft to the edge of space traveling at over 10 Mach, 1 Mach faster than intended. His shenanigans cost him the aircraft, but the mission commander offers only a passing comment about the matter, stating “He’s got balls.”
That he does, but it still doesn’t change the fact that he just cost you hundreds of millions of dollars. But hey, Maverick gets another title out of the disaster, “fastest man on earth.”
Beyond this, it isn’t clear why Cyclone doesn’t care for Maverick, yet he’s celebrated by all – even his ex-girlfriend, Penelope “Penny” Benjamin (Jennifer Connelly), whom he apparently abandoned between the events of Top Gun and Top Gun: Maverick.
In a world where seeing the protagonist of the film surpass personal milestones is more important than mission integrity and the preservation of expensive government property, isn’t Cyclone the odd man out in his contempt for Maverick?
Not according to Boss Hunting.
2. Does Maverick Have Keys to Every Plane in the World?
After Iceman’s death in the closing minutes of the second act Maverick is pushed out of Top Gun by Cyclone. Maverick is finished it seems, and he looks to the ex-girlfriend he abandoned for guidance – who apparently has top-secret clearance and can casually talk about the ins-and-outs of the most dangerous and classified mission in the Navy’s history.
As he contemplates his next move, Penny assures him that he will figure it out. And he does.
When Cyclone kicks off his first day as instructor of Top Gun, Maverick hijacks an F-18 to demonstrate his talent. The ploy works, and Maverick is back in Top Gun, what’s more, now he’s team leader.
And it gets worse. When the Navy finally notices Maverick has snuck into one of the most secure places on earth and stolen an F-18 right under their noses, they permit him to fly his faux mission in protected airspace; just because, you know, he’s Maverick–see #1 on this list. But wait, now that he’s marked his territory, Cyclone is team Maverick as well. So scratch #1 because it all makes sense now.
What makes even less sense is when Maverick steals yet another plane, an F-14 in the possession of the fictional rogue nation under attack. Conveniently, the F-14 is grounded just meters from the most highly valued target in U.S. Military history, a facility that is enriching uranium away from the prying eyes of the United Nations.
Could he pile on his success in future installations (Top Gun: Grand Theft Aero 3)?
3. How Did Hangman Know Where to Find Maverick and Rooster, and Who Gave Him Permission?
Despite Cyclone’s newfound affinity for Maverick, he makes no bones about leaving him behind. Which is understandable. He’s been charged with destroying the most highly protected Uranium facility on earth, a move that likely triggered World War 3 after the credits, against a nation that is armed to the teeth. The last thing he’d like to see is the 12 best pilots in America go back to the scene of the crime to get shredded for Maverick, who clearly knew the risks.
When Hangman attempts to join the mission at the first sign of trouble he’s reminded that he does not have authorization.
When Maverick and Rooster run out of ammunition, missiles, and flares, all hope appears lost for the pair as they attempt to outrun a pair of 5th gen fighter craft that are faster, better equipped, and mounted with more efficient weapons and weapons systems.
Maverick attempts one last counter measure as he heads back to space with his fully fueled and accessible enemy F-14 and says his goodbyes to Goose one last time before Hangman appears out of nowhere with a perfect shot. There is never any discussion about how or why Hangman knew where they were and who gave him authorization to join the fight.
Let’s forget about the fact that Hangman was the most selfish fighter in Top Gun, regularly leaving his wingman behind – does it really make sense that he’d do something as selfless as destroying his career to look for two missing pilots in heavily policed enemy air space? Also, Hangman had no indication they were alive before his act of courage – Maverick and Rooster had not yet made radio contact with the ship from the F-14 – guess he’s just that good.
Top Gun: Maverick Still Gets a Thumbs Up
Despite these loose ends, Top Gun: Maverick was ultimately an incredible movie. Many reviewers have proclaimed “This is how you make a sequel,” and they are right.
The film honors the accomplishments of Top Gun and closes the loop on quite a bit of narrative carried over from the original film.
But there were some moments that were just too far out of this world; perhaps that’s what the opening act was preparing us for.