Tag Archives: Good

Drama

King Creole

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Date watched: August 19, 2022
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2022

Review

Following some inspiration of seeing Baz Luhrmann’s ‘Elvis’ last month, August’s family movie night, selected by mum was Elvis Presley’s fourth feature, King Creole.

This is the first Elvis film that I have seen and by all accounts, one of his best performances. While I have nothing to compare that against, I’d have to agree!

The film also stars Walter Matthau as local mobster Maxie Fields and Carolyn Jones as his gal Ronnie. The latter who you might know as Morticia Addams from the Addams Family television series.

Elvis stars as Danny Fisher, a young man who has just flunked graduation from high school for a second time for basically having a bad attitude. His family has fallen on hard times after the passing of his mother three years ago. Now it’s just him, his sister, and father who can’t hold down a job, living in a not so good part of New Orleans, as it is all they can afford.

To support the family Danny works a job before and after school as a busboy at Maxie Field’s nightclub and the reason that he flunks high school the second time all starts following an incident at the club the morning of his last day of school. With good intensions, he sticks up Ronnie after an all-night drinking session becomes violent.

Following this encounter between Danny and Ronnie, an infatuation between the two begins and it is where all of Danny’s troubles start. He is a good kid at heart but keeps making questionable decisions leading down a path of no good.

It is because of Ronnie that the first time Danny is on stage singing occurs. On the night he quits his busboy job at the nightclub after making a deal with his father to continue studying at night school, Danny sees Ronnie again and attempts to talk to her in front of Fields. Ronnie explains to Fields that she complimented Danny on his singing and Fields wants Danny to prove that he can actually sing.

This results in the first big number of the film with a striking performance of “Trouble”. This song I recognised from the Elvis movie, and it was captivating.

I feel like this is the formula of Elvis movies and probably any singer turned movie star. Their character just so happens to be able to sing, which then becomes a part of the narrative.

In King Creole, I think this balance is struck well as the singing scenes are mostly woven into the narrative of Danny taking up a job as a singer at a nightclub. There is still a strong plot to the film that isn’t propped up by musical numbers, but they are still there for entertainment and build up the soundtrack. Also, you can’t go wrong with a mobster storyline!

While there is a lot of drama and good acting on display, the film also provides a number of laughs along the way. The relationship between Danny and Ronnie is an intriguing one exploring the parallel of their lives, which I really enjoyed.

The weakness I found with the film was the character of Nellie, a love interest of Danny. I can’t quite work out why Nellie has this sudden lust for Danny, especially under the circumstances which they meet and the way the evening plays out. I feel like her character might be there to help Danny stay on the straight and narrow and I’m not sure why this couldn’t be achieved with his sister, who also seemed to be an underutilized character.

Having said that, I found King Creole to be a most enjoyable film and if you are looking for an Elvis film to see, this is a great place to start.

Rating:  Good

Drama, Mystery

Where the Crawdads Sing

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Date watched: August 13, 2022
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2022

Review

When I saw that Reece Witherspoon’s production company (Hello Sunshine) was behind this film, I knew it was something that I wanted to see. Witherspoon’s name carries great weight to quality storytelling on film and television following the successes of Wild, Gone Girl, and Big Little Lies. She also champions an area that I am very passionate about, female-driven stories.

Set in the late 1950s / early 1960s, Where the Crawdads Sing follows the story of Kya. A young girl from a poor family, who grows up in the marshlands of North Carolina on her own, after being left abandoned by her family. As she grows up, she becomes known as “The Marsh Girl” by the local community.

It’s based on the best-seller novel by Delia Owens, which I hadn’t read prior to seeing the film. The woman sitting next to me in the cinema did tell me that she thought it was a good adaptation.

The film starts off with the discovery of a body in the marsh and uses the technique of flashbacks to delve deeper into how Kya finds herself on trial for murder of the body found. We spend a lot of time looking back before being brought back into the present for short bursts, giving clues to the audience along the way.

It’s through the flashbacks that the film also tackles several confronting themes including domestic abuse, assault, and rape.

While there are some red herrings included (as any murder mystery does) I don’t feel that they were explored far enough to be a legitimate option although it does provide reasonable doubt. If you pay attention, there are clues along the way that hint how the ending will play out. I had the ending worked out around halfway through.

This didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the conclusion, it’s still quite a remarkable and satisfying end. I like trying to work out the riddle and am delighted when I am correct (who isn’t I guess).

However perhaps for this reason, I did feel like the ending dragged out much longer than it needed to. It was almost agony waiting for the reveal. At one point I thought that it wasn’t going to happen, which would have been disappointing as confirmation is a must for this story! The audience deserves it.

Even though most of the story takes place while Kya is on trial, the film leans more into the mystery component than a courtroom drama. This is because a lot of the onscreen time takes place in the flashbacks. I did enjoy the courtroom scenes and would have liked to see a little more of the film in this setting. Kya’s lawyer Tom Milton also gave off some Atticus Finch vibes, down to the white suit.

I found the cinematography very crisp and showed the beauty of the southeast of America. It’s a very clean looking film and it’s that juxtaposition against the topics that are addressed that demonstrates while things may look pretty on the surface, there can be ugliness hidden underneath. Many of the characters are judged based on their appearance but their actions speak volumes as to who they really are.

If I had to take my pick, I’d probably go with Gone Girl over Where the Crawdads Sing. While an unfair comparison as they are based on novels by different authors, that’s just where my personal preference lies.

Where the Crawdads Sing is an enjoyable film that I’d recommend. Probably not one that you need to see at the cinema though.

Rating:  Good

Drama

Sundown

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

Date watched: August 7, 2022
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2022

Review

I’ve had ‘Sundown’ on my watchlist ever since I first saw the trailer a couple of months ago and the Sunday morning session I went along to turned out to be the right atmosphere for this type of film.

It is quite a different film to what is out there, which I found refreshing. Just be aware however that this may not be to everyone’s tastes.

Sundown is a difficult film to summarise as the more you talk about it, the more it gives away, which takes away from the experience. From the very first scene your given the first piece of the puzzle without knowing what the picture is.

I’ve decided not to reveal any spoilers here as this review would turn into an analysis of my interpretation of the film. And I’d much rather let you experience the joy of discovery that I had.

For me, watching this film felt like I was curled up on vacation reading a good book. As the film progresses, the layers of the story start peeling away, slowly answering some questions about what is happening.

I think it would be interesting to see a second time, knowing how it plays out, and seeing what one might additionally pick up on or see from a different point of view.

I don’t think the film would have been as successful if it were not for the performance of lead actor Tim Roth. The character he plays (Neil) can at times be difficult to empathise with and his motivations questionable, yet Roth’s performance is captivating, providing insight to the character even when he is not delivering dialog.

It’s a slower paced and at times uncomfortable watch but if you like films that make you think and feel, you’ll enjoy this one.

Rating:  Good

Horror, Thriller

The Black Phone

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Date watched: July 23, 2022
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2022

Review

After watching the trailer for The Black Phone and following Ethan Hawke’s performance in Moon Knight, I was intrigued and equally keen to see what he was involved in next.

I then found out that the film was based on a short story of the same name by Joe Hill, and I was in! I haven’t read any of his work but am a very big Stephen King fan, who happens to be his father. I’m conscious that this doesn’t define him either as a person or author, but it provides a new author to investigate and pulled this film towards the top of the list in what to see next.

As I haven’t read this short story before seeing the film, I won’t be able to compare how true to the source material it was and what may have been added or removed. Therefore, my observations will be limited to what the film presented.

I’ll just jump in straight off and say that I really enjoyed the film and the story that it told. It held my attention in all the ways that you want from a thriller, and I enjoyed the suspense provided. There are a couple of scenes that provide a shock value that will have you jolt in your seat however the tone is mostly within the supernatural realm.

I’m not sure if it was done on purpose but I really did get a Stephen King vibe from the style of the film. Whether that is something that runs in the family, or a conscious decision made by the filmmakers, I felt in a familiar zone.

This was amplified by a few references that other SK fans will easily spot; a yellow raincoat, mentions to Boulder, and does Gwen have the shining?

The Black Phone spoke to me about standing up for yourself, the challenges of fitting in at school/society, and explored the bond between siblings.

There aren’t too many big surprises that happen in this film. It’s a simple story at its heart with a neat resolution and that is perfectly ok. Not every film needs to have that big twist which blows your mind. What makes those films special, is that they are rare. It is a pleasure however to have story told well, in both look and feel.

That said, it’s not quite a perfect film. It’s weaknesses lie by the things which are presented but left unexplored. The relationship the father of Finney and Gwen with his children and digging a little bit further into his alcoholism being the first. Another being Gwen’s dreams and the connection with her mother.

I do like it when some things are left up in the air, giving the viewer the opportunity to have further thoughts and considerations well after the film’s end. But the storyline with Gwen feels like it should have been pushed a little further than it was. I feel like there was an additional extra gear required to elevate the tension.

Other positives include Ethan Hawke’s terrific performance of “The Grabber”, which is truly creepy and not over exaggerated. The two main child actors; Mason Thames (Finney) and Madeleine McGraw (Gwen) were both very strong in their roles.

I’ve since borrowed “20th Century Ghosts” from the library which contains this short story and look forward to seeing how it differs.

Rating:  Good

Action, Thriller

The Hunt for Red October

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Date watched: July 22, 2022
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2022

Review

It was back to my uncle’s pick for July’s family movie night and he decided on this classic with the master of accents! Jokes aside, this wasn’t a first time viewing for myself but it was a first with the audio description available on Stan.

The Hunt for Red October is based on a novel by Tom Clancy and is the first screen introduction of the character Jack Ryan, who has since been portrayed by Harrison Ford, Ben Affleck, Chris Pine, and most recently John Krasinski. While Harrison Ford might be the first actor who comes to mind when the character Jack Ryan is mentioned, the actor who first brought him to life was Alec Baldwin.

I’d say that I have probably seen this film a handful of times and after this latest viewing, it still holds up as a great action thriller. That’s due in no small part to a compelling story filled with high tension. Being set predominately in submarines and a cast of officers also means that the film doesn’t age terribly either.

For better or worse Cold War inspired films are compelling (sadly it still holds some relevance today) and audiences also seem to be attracted to a Russian defection story. A double hit for this film and perhaps why it was and is so popular.

Over time, the pop culture references of Sir Sean Connery playing a Russian character with his renowned Scottish accent is probably the first thing many associate with The Hunt for Red October. I even made light of it in the opening line of this review! Strangely there is also a scene within the film were Alec Baldwin does a Sean Connery impersonation when repeating back a line their characters exchange. Are they making fun of themselves? If I’m honest, the other cast members playing Russians don’t have great accents either…but at least they had a go I suppose!

This somewhat distracts from what is one of the great action films from the nineties and possibly the best in the Jack Ryan outings on film. Viewing after viewing it still holds up and possibly gets better, as you may identify with different characters at different stages of your life.

It’s an interesting story that not only gets you thinking but generates such suspense, keeping you on the edge of your seat time and time again, right up until the dramatic conclusion. I also really enjoyed Alec Baldwin in the role of Jack Ryan, he brings these bursts of mania to the role that can’t help exciting the viewer as he peels back the layers to the mystery that is the Red October.

Additionally, the film has a stellar cast which includes James Earl Jones, Sam Neill, and Courtney B. Vance just to name a few. The performances are strong, and each actor has their space on screen without taking your attention away from each other or where it is needed.

I also liked the way the film transitions into English after starting in Russian. It’s a nice technique used to place the viewer at ease rather than switching between English and sub-titles for the whole film. In this case I think it would have provided a distraction to not do so. The transition occurs between two Russian officers where a poem is being read very early in the film. It reminds me of the use of the wind in Disney’s Pocahontas allowing the lead characters to communicate. Look I know it’s a weird reference to use here but I’m of a certain generation and here we are!

If you’ve yet to introduce yourself into the world of Jack Ryan, The Hunt for Red October is a great place to start. You won’t be disappointed!

Rating:  Good

Comedy

The Big Lebowski

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Date watched: July 21, 2022
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2022

Review

After watching No Country for Old Men, I was in a bit of a Coen brothers mood and thought to myself, why not tick another film off the watchlist and decided on The Big Lebowski. It’s a favourite with a couple of my friends and I also saw it featured in the documentary “Time Warp: The Greatest Cult Films”.

Quite a different film to anything else I’ve seen the Coen brothers do. This is more a comedy of errors narrative, which is a proven formula you can’t go wrong with.

The plot revolves around Jeffrey Lebowski, better known as ‘The Dude’, who just wants the rug from his loungeroom to be replaced after an incident that occurred after being mistaken for a millionaire of the same name (who The Dude goes on to reference as ‘The Big Lebowski’). From here things go from bad to worse for The Dude as he is roped into wider family issues including a kidnapping plot, nihilists, and porn empire tycoons to name but a few.

These things however don’t stop The Dude from trying to live his life which consists of drinking white russians, smoking dope, and of course bowling. The situation is more an ever-growing inconvenience all stemming from that rug. After all, it did really tie the room together.

In typical comedy of errors style, you think that The Dude would be better off without his short-tempered, trigger-happy friend Walter, yet when this call is finally made, things still don’t go to plan. Perhaps the damage Walter had done already changed the course of fate for The Dude.

The best imagery of how things are faring for The Dude, is his car. As things progressively get worse, so does the state of the car.

For me the highlight of the film was Julianne Moore, who plays the daughter of The Big Lebowski and for lack of a better description is a wacky artist. The first time we meet her she is throwing paint onto a canvas from a moving overhead harness while naked. In a cast of oddball characters her performance is striking and memorable.

With so many fantastic and funny scenes a couple of favourites that stood out for me are when Walter (John Goodman) goes ballistic on a sports car with a crowbar repeatedly screaming “This is what happens when you fuck a stranger in the ass!”. This is second only to what is probably the best scene; the trip/dream sequence The Dude goes on after being drugged.

The dream sequence presents as a movie within the movie titled “Gutterballs”. It starts off presenting like a porno before turning into randomness, it’s very surreal. This sequence seems to be a perfect fit to summarise the vibe of the film and who The Dude is.

It would also be remiss of me not to mention Sam Elliot as The Stranger, the films narrator. The closing monologue he delivers is a fantastic note to send the film out on and good place to close this review on.

While very different to Fargo and No Country for Old Men, The Big Lebowski still has that Coen brothers feel to it and it’s difficult to think who else could have made this film work. The acting of the cast is the perfect balance of not taking itself too seriously but played straight resulting in a film which is very quotable and comedically done well.

It may not for everyone but it’s a cult classic for a reason. I’m happy that I got around to watching it and I think it’ll just get better after several more viewings.

Rating:  Good

Action, Sci-Fi

Jurassic World

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Reading Time: 4 minutes

Date watched: June 11, 2022
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2022

Review

It’s been a 14 year gap between Jurassic Park films and the franchise has been re-booted as “Jurassic World”. It’s a new trilogy, rather than a remake, and follows on from the original film. I’m guessing we are pretending that The Lost World and III never happened. Rather than changing any of the timelines, it just really isn’t talked about. If it was referenced, I’ve already forgotten about it!

When I first saw this at the cinemas, I loved it and felt it was almost on par with the original film. Years later and seeing how this trilogy ended up, I’m not sure I feel the same way. So I’m going to focus on just this first instalment of the new trilogy and leave my feelings towards where it all ended up in the last review.

The tone of Jurassic World is more violent than the previous trilogy. It’s moved away from implied violence and shows more blood and people being ripped apart. That said, it’s not overly gory or too frightening for it’s target audience.

For me, what adds an additional level of fear is the park now creating hybrid dinosaurs. Creating animals by splicing DNA and raising them in isolation is terrifying. There is literally no reference material for how that animal is going to behave or how to manage it. Then for only the scientists to know what animals have been spliced together – it’s outrageous!

BD Wong returns as his character Dr. Henry Wu who fans will remember from the first film as the person responsible for creating the cloned dinosaurs. He obviously got off the island before things went bad all those years ago. Seemingly he has been in the same job since then but now has more power with the money and equipment provided to him from the managers of the new park. His directive – make bigger and scarier dinosaurs, which is exactly what he did with the Indominus Rex. Dr. Wu is an interesting character and it would be fascinating to explore his motivations and moral code in more detail.

There are a multitude of call backs and easter eggs for fans to enjoy from the original film however this instalment still manages to stand on its own. Those things are in there to enhance our experience as fans, rather than to carry the story along. A couple that I enjoyed included seeing Mr. D.N.A in the new information centre and the kids find the original jeeps and night vision googles while suck out in the open park.

A similar formula has also been used for the characters; we have two adults and two children that the film is centred on. The characters themselves are completely different compared to the original.

This time around the inclusion of the two nephews didn’t feel like they were needed to the main story. Apart from introducing us to Jurassic World, which has become Disneyland like in it’s popularity and zoo like operationally, they were there to get Claire and Owen into the park for some cool action sequences. The storyline of their parents in the middle of a divorce also seemed unnecessary and only there to provide a bonding experience between the two bothers. It fills up some time between scenes sure but considering everything that happened, I think that the character of Claire is quite committed to her job and that she still would have acted in the same way without their inclusion.

Speaking of Claire, I really liked Bryce Dallas Howard in the role. She is a strong character who has her flaws and does stand out in what is a very male dominated film. There has been a bit said of her impractical outfit resulting in some ridicule. To me what her outfit represents is a reflection of where the park is at. They have been successful for many years and think they know how to manage disasters. It’s all very corporate. They probably have compliance training on what to do in certain situations! While on paper these new animals they are creating might result in bigger crowds and thus profits, the consequences aren’t a factor in their risk matrix. Claire’s job is very much sales based. The only reason she is out in the park is to help her nephews and it would be very unlikely for her to have a spare pair of practical clothing. Up until now, she doesn’t have a connection to the animals in the park.

Chris Pratt’s role of Owen is the complete opposite to Claire. He cares for the animals and has a cautious respect with them and that’s why he is the velociraptor whisper! Through his character another of the trilogy’s themes emerges and that is more empathy towards the animals. We’re starting to shift away from the amazement and fear that humans have towards the dinosaurs and think more about these animals that have been brought into this world and the exploitation by humans. I think some of that was there in the original film but in a much more minor way.

It would also be remiss of me to not mention Vincent D’Onofrio who gives such a great performance, as he always does. His character of Vic Hoskins wanting to weaponize the dinosaurs from the work Owen has been doing is super villain in the making stuff. I would have liked to have seen this explored a little bit more.

In conclusion, Jurassic World is a fun and exciting experience back into the franchise. It’s visually stunning and includes some great performances and some really fantastic action sequences. You don’t have to be a fan of the original films to enjoy this one. There is plenty to like here.

Time to book yourself a ticket. Just don’t forget to arrange some travel insurance!

Rating:  Good

Action, Sci-Fi

The Lost World: Jurassic Park

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Date watched: June 9, 2022
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2022

Review

Four years after the phenomenon that was Jurassic Park, its sequel; The Lost World was released in cinemas. In my opinion it’s one of those underrated sequels that gets more criticism than it deserves. Is it better than the original? No. Is it entertaining? Yes.

In The Lost World we find out that there is a second island (Isla Sorna) where the dinosaurs were nurtured before being integrated into the park we saw in the first film (Isla Nublar). It had been kept secret in order to protect the dinosaurs however that secret is now out and there are people who, yet again, want to make money off the dinosaurs by bringing them to the United States. What’s that I hear you say – “How could this possibly go wrong?”

This is a common theme of the franchise; humans making stupid decisions where greed and power have disastrous consequences.

I remember going to the cinemas to see this one, so I do have some nostalgic feelings towards it but you know what, I had a good time with the re-watch. One of my most vivid memories of the film was the scene with the velociraptors in the long grass taking out a pack of hunters one by one in rapid succession. I remember the fear I felt in the cinema and slowly sinking down in my seat with an unimpressed parent next to me who probably didn’t want to be there in the first place!

Unfortunately that scene with the raptors wasn’t quite as scary as I remember it but the follow up scene where our heroes walk right into their hunting ground was fantastic. My one negative here would have to be the gymnastics element. Earlier in the film there is a set up with Ian’s daughter Kelly no longer being on the gymnastics team at school and of course this comes in handy down the track in this scene. No criticism to this, that’s pretty standard in an action film. It’s just why gymnastics – they can never seem to make the bar look realistic to the surroundings. It always looks like a gymnastics bar amongst, in this case, the roof bearings. Second time in a week I’ve noticed this, as it also occurs in Hot Shots!

I also found a number of the action sequences felt like it could be an amusement ride ready for Universal Studios. This probably lines up with around the time the actual Jurassic Park ride was introduced at Universal, so I am not sure if this was done intentionally. It’s not the first action film I’ve had similar feelings with and I’m not saying that’s a good or a bad thing. One one hand I think it actually adds some fun and makes you feel a little more involved, while on the other hand it’s probably wise to avoid making people want to be on an island with dinosaurs roaming free!

Of the sequels in the franchise, this one is probably the best. With a tyrannosaurs running amuck in San Diego, you’ll have a bit of fun with your weekend action pick.

Rating:  Good

Action

Top Gun: Maverick

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Date watched: June 4, 2022
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2022

Review

It’s been 36 years since the original Top Gun and after a few delays its long awaited sequel is now in cinemas. I’m going to make a bold statement and say that this is one of the rare occasions where the sequel might actually be better than the original. Gasp!

Before going to see Top Gun: Maverick I did a little refresher and watched the original (you can read that review here), so as I write this review it is fresh in the mind.

One of the dangers of doing a sequel so long after the original is repeating the same formula and storyline where there is really no point in having the sequel in the first place. I had this feeling with Mary Poppins Returns but not with this film. While there are a number of similarities with the original, I found the story worth telling and that it was enjoyable.

The opening sequence is pretty much a copy of the original film down to the font used in the opening credits, the score, the opening text explaining what Top Gun is, and the jets taking off and landing on an airship carrier. I think this serves as some nostalgia for old school fans while giving new fans an invitation in. There are some differences with angles used which I am guessing comes down to what cameras were available in the 80s compared to now.

The last time we saw Maverick he had his pick of any posting following the success of the final dogfight he was in and he decided that he was going back to Top Gun to be an instructor. When this film starts we don’t get a “x many years later” or explanation of what has happened in that time but clearly things didn’t go to plan and it’s not long before we see that Maverick hasn’t changed his ways that much. He loves being a pilot but the risks he takes are more related to his team than personal issues.

In this film Maverick is ordered back to Top Gun to train the best of the best pilots who have recently graduated from Top Gun for a high risk mission. Something no pilot has ever done before. In the class is Goose’s son, call sign Rooster (Miles Teller) who is the spitting image of his father. Given the history between the two you expect there to be tension however there is more to it than what happened in the original film, which was a good addition. It’s up to Maverick to get these pilots ready not only for a successful mission but to get them home safely.

The flight scenes looked fantastic and I would highly recommend going to see this one at the cinemas with Dolby Atmos for the experience. Again what makes this film a success is the limited use of CGI, it looks real because it is (mostly) real. No the actors aren’t actually flying those planes but gosh do you buy into it. It adds an authenticity which steps it up above your average action flick.

The soundtrack was also much better in the sequel with a bit more variety used and a beautiful original song written and performed by Lady Gaga. And despite me being a little over hearing Danger Zone so many times just a few hours before, I was excited by its return in the film. Used just the right amount of times I must say!

So while there are a lot of similar scenes between the two Top Gun films there is enough difference in the story to make them separate and worthy. Both are excellent action films that you’ll have a lot of fun watching.

Don’t think. Just do.

Rating:  Good

Action

Top Gun

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Date watched: June 4, 2022
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2022

Review

This isn’t my first time watching Top Gun but it has been quite a long time between viewings. I felt it was a fitting time for a re-watch given the long waited sequel is now out in cinemas.

My memories of Top Gun was the soundtrack, aviators, volleyball, and the iconic quotes it produced. I think it’s done pretty well pop culture wise to still be relevant and I was delighted to relive a decent film.

Its a fairy simple story using a proven film formula that is executed really well. That’s why I think the film still lives up against today’s standards and is a such a favourite for many movie-goers.

What I think works best about Top Gun is that it was inspired by real US navy program and a range of experts were used on the film which gives it an authenticity. Laying on top of this the factitious character of Pete “Maverick” Mitchell and his character journey from film start to end gives the audience someone to rally behind and brings enjoyment in what is a solid action film.

Top Gun wouldn’t be what it is without Maverick and you can’t have Maverick without Tom Cruise. While not one of my favourite films of his, there is no doubt that he is the star of the film. He has such an on screen presence taking you on the journey with him.

When we meet Maverick and his RIO (Radar Intercept Officer) Goose (Anthony Edwards) we can see what a great team they are and the potential they have, particularly Maverick. They manage to scrap in an admission into Miramar’s elite Fighter Weapons School known to its flyers as “Top Gun” and the film takes place over the training and graduation period of that program. During this time Maverick needs to learn some lessons about himself, working as a team, fighting his instincts vs the navy’s expectations, and his relationship with his father that has been holding him back. As if that isn’t enough, throw in a romance with one of his instructor’s (Kelly McGrillis), a rivalry with a fellow flyer in his class (Val Kilmer) and a personal tragedy.

These types of films feel the need to include a romance story which I’m not the biggest fan of however as I get a little older I’m not getting as bothered by. The storyline between Maverick and Charlie is just enough I think without distracting from the other aspects of the film and does give motivations to the character of Maverick to learn some of those lessons mentioned above. I actually liked the chemistry between the two and the build up of the will they / won’t they paid off with their first kiss. Apparently Cruise had a line in that scene, forgot it and went for the kiss. The director liked it and kept it in. Given that I was practically yelling at the tv to “kiss the girl”, it was probably the right move!

Apart from Tom Cruise, the other reason we love Top Gun is for the fighter jets! The scenes of the fighter jets in the air not only provide great entertainment value but also balance the light and dark within the story. As soon as those planes are in the air, you can feel the tension change which is a great use of changing tones between scenes. Coupled with the score you get a sense of what each flight might add to the story because just as in real life, not every flight is the same.

As for dislikes, I can’t believe I’m about to say this but the Kenny Loggins hit “Danger Zone” was used way too many times and if I don’t hear it for a few days I think I’m going to be ok. The same could be said for “Take My Breath Away”. It was a little like, guys there are other songs.

Top Gun is a fun action film and a decent one at that.

You can be my wingman anytime.

Rating:  Good