Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
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A legendary naval aviator must train a new generation of pilots for a high-stakes mission while confronting his past.
The story
More than 30 years after graduating from the Top Gun training school, decorated test pilot Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell finds himself assigned to the Top Gun school at NAS North Island. To keep his career alive, he must train a group of elite graduates for a dangerous mission: destroying an unsanctioned uranium enrichment plant in a foreign country. Maverick must mentor these young pilots, including the son of his late best friend, while navigating the complexities of his past and the high-stakes demands of the military. The mission is complicated by advanced defenses and the necessity of perfect execution in a high-stakes environment.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Captain Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell, a decorated test pilot, is assigned to the Top Gun school to train a group of graduates for a critical mission: destroying an enemy uranium enrichment plant. Maverick must train these pilots, including Bradley 'Rooster' Bradshaw, the son of his late best friend. During training, Maverick faces conflict with the cocky 'Hangman' and builds a bond with Rooster, who initially resents him. After the death of his mentor, Iceman, Maverick is briefly removed as instructor but is reinstated as team leader after proving his skills. During the mission, Maverick and Rooster are separated when Maverick sacrifices his plane to save Rooster. They eventually reunite and, with the help of Hangman, successfully complete the mission. The film concludes with Maverick and Rooster continuing their bond while Maverick flies off with his former girlfriend.
- First release year
- 2022
- Runtime (minutes)
- 130
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Joseph Kosinski
- Writers
- Ehren Kruger · writer; Eric Warren Singer · writer; Christopher McQuarrie · writer; Peter Craig · story; Justin Marks · story
- Cast and characters
- Tom Cruise · Pete "Maverick" Mitchell; Miles Teller · Rooster; Jennifer Connelly · Penny Benjamin; Jon Hamm · Admiral; Glen Powell · Hangman; Ed Harris · Floyd; Val Kilmer · Iceman
- Genres
- action; drama
- Themes
- legacy; mentorship; sacrifice
- Tone and mood
- intense; heroic
- Premise and plot tags
- military; aviation; sequel
- Franchise connections
- Top Gun
- Reception
- The film was widely praised by critics, with many deeming it superior to its predecessor. It was also noted for its high box office success and strong audience scores.
- Awards and nominations
- Academy Award · Best Sound · won; Academy Award · Best Picture · nominated
- Production trivia
- The film was dedicated to the memory of director Tony Scott.; The film's box office success made it the highest-grossing film of Tom Cruise's career.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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