This is a reflective, sensitive feature in which the stunning cinematography of stark Montana landscapes compliment the mood and further the accomplishments of the thoughtful performances and story. But the filmmaking duo that gave us “What Maisie Knew” and “The Deep End” offset the stormfront of despair with genuine if fleeting moments of self-discovery and reconciliation.
Scott McGehee and David Siegel’s first feature in nearly 10 years sounds like it’s nothing more than an endurance test. Now they’re forced back together by dire circumstances at the family ranch in Montana where Cal has assumed the role of the father’s caretaker. “Montana Story”: An insufferable childhood inflicted on them by their father has driven siblings Cal (Owen Teague) and Erin (Haley Lu Richardson) far apart. Details: 4 stars out of 4 in select Bay Area theaters starting May 24, expanding to additional theaters May 26-27. Popcorn movies just don’t get much better or more thrilling than this. Add in a very strong female character - single mom/bar owner Penny (Jennifer Connelly), breathtaking, state-of-the-art aerial stunts and special effects and a lovely Lady Gaga theme song and “Top Gun: Maverick” nails the landing as one of the best summer blockbusters you’ll ever see. Maverick’s reckoning with the doubts and actions of his past leads him to one of the sequel’s most poignant moments – a reunion with his friend and former rival, Admiral Tom “Iceman” Kazansky (Val Kilmer). Bradley Bradshaw (Miles Teller), son of Maverick’s former partner “Goose,” who was killed in the first film. The scenario only sets the table for the main event: tension-filled encounters with wannabe Top Gun pilot Lt. Maverick needs to show them how maneuver into enemy territory (the “enemy” isn’t named per se, and the film avoids being militantly jingoistic) without crashing. He’s still ruffling the feathers of superiors (such as debonair Jon Hamm) when he’s assigned to school a new league of rowdy Top Gun Navy pilots (played by the spirited, memorable cast of Danny Ramirez, Glen Powell, Monica Barbaro, Jay Ellis and so on). Here, Maverick has mellowed a touch but his renegade, upstart ways remain. He plays cocky airman Pete “Maverick” Mitchell.
Best of all, they avoid getting sand-trapped in the past by giving veteran and new characters clearly delineated and up emotionally compelling predicaments.Īnchoring it is Cruise, of course, revisiting one of the roles that established him as a superstar and delivering one of his best, most mature performances. Kosinski and screenwriter Christopher McQuarrie pull off a full-on renovation, using Tony Scott’s original as the foundation for something new while paying due respects to some of first film’s essentials (Kenny Loggins’ “Danger Zone” gets replayed, and that homoerotic beach volleyball scene is replaced with beach football).