Curiosity got the better of me. Many of my online acquaintances have been raving about how good, “Top Gun: Maverick” was. Being an old geezer myself, I thought it might be good to check it out. After all, I was almost 15 when I watched the first one in the theatre. I remember how hot it was outside while I was in line waiting. I saw the original in Ontario Oregon. It was showing in one of the only movie theatres that was close to where I lived. I remember being really impressed with the jet fighter stunts. Back then there wasn’t any computerized special effects. I imagine it was a great recruiting tool for the Navy.
This movie was not what I was expecting. Lately all Hollywierd seems to put out is woke, sjw, perverted, pinko-commie, propaganda. I have had my fill of those American hating, red diapered, doper babies. I was pleasantly surprised by this movie, and by my online friends. They didn’t steer me wrong. One might bemoan the fact that there was a female Top Gun fighter pilot. I thought they were going to push radical feminism. I am from a time when women were not allowed in combat roles. I still think that should be the case, but it isn’t up to me. Women in combat roles is a reality now whether I like it or not. Most movies would beat this idea into you. They’d put it front and center, and force you to, “Hear her roar!” Well, this movie did not do that. It was just a matter of fact that she was there. It wasn’t pushing a feminist agenda. I’d say the same about the ethnic diversity reflected in the cast. America isn’t as homogeneous as it was when I was a kid. Again, they didn’t push this in the plot, or make it a propaganda subtext to be washing our minds with. Score one point for the team who made this movie. It was pure entertainment with no preaching, or blatant propaganda.
This was first, and foremost, a movie about Top Gun fighter pilots risking their lives for this country. It was patriotic. It was emotionally moving. It had some laughs along the way. There were scenes from the original movie worked in as memory moments. There were a couple memorable characters from the first film. I even had to try to hold back a tear now and then.
This movie achieved success because it was for the audience, not some perverted America hating fringe minority of America, but for Americans in general. “Guess what Hollywierd, there are more of us than there are of them, and they don’t go to see movies. When they do, the movies are never woke enough for them.” We, on the other hand, are easy to please. Just give us good movies! Hopefully the box office $$$ are teaching them a lesson. Tom Cruise may be a crazy, Hollyweird, Scientologist, but he hasn’t forgotten how to reach out to regular Americans. I think that is because he hasn’t forgotten that he is an American.
The jet stunts were phenomenal. If you have ever been to an airshow, and seen the Blue Angels perform, you know what I’m talking about. It looked like a lot of these stunts were completed by real pilots in real jets. I might be wrong. I’m sure some of the stunts in the end of the movie were computerized, but you don’t notice it during the action. The acting of the supporting cast was good. The younger crowd did their part to make the movie magic happen. There are even some mechanical and location cameos if you will. The Kawasaki motorcycle from the original, reprised it’s role, as well as the bar where the boys sang, “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling.” That song was not present, but there was another from the original that was. You’ll have to see it to find out.
If you haven’t seen it, and are thinking about it, just to do it. You’ll really enjoy it.
Snyder's Soapbox 