Watching that first time in the theater was AMAZING. Literally got goosebumps watching it. Maverick has been proving the system wrong for 30 years and keeps on doing it.
One of the things that made this scene was that Maverick had zero snarky commentary during the run. Grunting, breathing hard and completely focused on the flight. This helped escalate the drama of the scene as it was showing Mav pushing HIS limits instead of the other pilots.
He was so scared for Rooster because this mission was so suicidal that it would be risky even for him! So if he had to push his to the absolute limit and beyond to just barely clear it, what chance did Rooster have, especially when the sim training doesn’t even include the part after the bombing where they need to dodge SAMs? They didn’t include the training for that because they knew people would die - and Rooster would have died were it not for Maverick taking the hit for him.
He was actually in the back of an F18 doing those maneuvers- you can see the extreme stress on his face just trying to keep it together to make it look like its actually him flying the plane.
I've never been a huge Tom Cruise fan, but his attention to detail and determination to succeed is unquestioned. The fact that insists on doing a lot of his own stunts and doing them exactly the right way shows a lot. Those scenes of him in the back seat during the canyon run and the desert climb out are something else. The grunts and groans are real and the pilot who flew those flights with him said Cruise to those G's like a trooper. Almost 50 years ago I was lucky enough to get a ride in the back seat of an F-105 Thud at an airshow at McGuire AFB in New Jersey and it was an experience I will never forget. The pilot didn't do anything wild except for one climb that took something out of me. 20 years later I took my first flying lessons and passed the qualification test and got my ticket. I belonged to a flying club and had a lot of fun until 2002 when I had my first heart attack. But it was a great experience while it lasted.
I like the little glance and smirk from Hangman towards Cyclone early in the scene as he realises that Maverick is throwing down a challenge to Cyclone's authority and speculating how he's going to deal with the insubordination. At the end Hangman realises Maverick is the leader to follow and Cyclone has to begrudgingly accept the reality that the mission needs Maverick to succeed.
@@CustomizedUsername I think that Hangman already respected Maverick, and he'd long bought in to Maverick's vision for the mission. The scene with him criticizing Rooster ("A man flies like Maverick here, or a man doesn't come back") cemented that for me.
This scene is perfect because even with little to no words spoken, it sums up everything of who Maverick is. This test run is literally saving the lives of the junior pilots and he knows this. Hence the conversation he had previously with Penny. This scene also ties in with Iceman's conversation reminding him that the Navy needs him. Maverick's skills, his unconventional tactics and not playing by the rules is the very reason why no other pilot could have pulled this off but him.
It's also the "little to no words spoken" by the crew too. The smirk from Hangman near the start that says he's going to enjoy watching Maverick fail, to the "damn" he exclaimed at the end. Everyone sitting forward. The senior officer smiling as he knows Maverick is going to smash it and now he knows the pilots have a chance to stay alive after completing the mission. Etc.
It wasn't enough with Warlock's introduction of Maverick as their instructor, but by his own demonstration and beating his own time-frame of 2:15. Proving the mission can be done by his recommended 2:30
One of the best parts of this is he’s not doing this for ego. He knows he’s going to get fired, most likely face a court martial but he needs to show it’s possible so his students aren’t put in more danger than necessary and stand a chance. Freakin awesome
It really does have everything. Presentation of character traits & conflict, definition of the main problem, action resulting in resolution, and character growth. You're right. It's a whole movie in 4 minutes. And it's all accomplished through dialogue, body language & facial expressions, and editing.
People SERIOUSLY underestimate the impact of the sound... its not merely along for the ride so to speak, its one of the pillars holding up the film... Hans Zimmer is ELITE.
It works so well on two levels. 1) As Maverick showing his students how to accomplish the mission and and 2) as Tom Cruise giving film maker's a master's class in how to craft a perfect scene.
@@thecollinzboy the dogfight was cool but a dime a dozen in movies nowadays, the most intense scenes in this movie were this scene and the SAM sites shooting missiles with all the pilots desperately trying to evade them.
The fighter pilot in him wanted to see if it could actually be done. Probably why he didn't stop him even though he'd gone rouge. Hangman also finally sees that he's not the best in the room.
Well he actually explains his thought process when talking to Maverick after this - he actually says “you have proven that the mission can be flown, in a manner possibly the only way that it can be survived”; shows he puts mission first but still wants his pilots to come home safely ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-DniD3em4AGI.html
he wants it to be possible. But he cannot command people to certain death. Imagine the mission failing and losing a couple pilots and aircraft on the way, its just a disaster. But by Maverick performing it in less time than necessary, by proving it more than possible, he clears the way and takes off any responsibility out of Cyclone's decision. It can be done, the machine can handle it, so its up to the pilot.
One of my favorite scene of all time, not only is it just purely nuts from an immersion standpoint, but it manages to say so much with few words actually spoken. This is the point where Rooster realizes that Maverick isn't holding him back because he wants to, he just isn't ready. As Hangman says, "a man flies like Maverick, or a man does not come back". How they managed to convey this important character development in a couple minutes with a crazy jet flight sequence simultaneously is why this is easily the best movie this year and ranks among the top movies of my lifetime.
@@romulus7739 For sure, I was referring to more him being reluctant to place him as team leader within the squad for the mission, the big break out fight that occurs where Maverick says to his face that he isn't ready and Rooster refuses to hear it. He's still in the mentality that slow and steady wins the race. So when Maverick crushes the course faster than they had to and fulfilling BOTH roles of the mission himself? It was Roosters moment of realization that he wasn't anywhere Maverick's level, and that Maverick constantly pushing him isn't out of spite, but that he doesn't have what it takes, at least not yet. He has to go beyond his limits, not lose time on thinking, but to just go off pure instinct. "Ah man flies like Maverick, or a man does not come back" finally sets in. If Mav can do it in 2:15, he can do it in 2:30, but his thinking gets in the way of his instincts to meet that threshold.
Some other navy pilots might think Maverick is overrated, reckless, maybe past his prime. In his pilot career, Rooster has probably heard a lot of Maverick stories, and maybe tended to believe the negative ones. Whatever opinion he had before, this was his reality check.
Lmao. The bad ending. But Maverick did cut his time limit down to 2 minutes and 15 seconds instead of 2 minutes 30 seconds just to remove all doubt that the original time was achievable.
The aviators actually flying those F-18s are freaking amazing. My hat's off to the actors as well, they may not have been flying the aircraft, but they're indeed strapped in with the aviator for the shots from inside the cockpit. Pulling even 5Gs isn't as easy as other films make it look. With them in the plane for real, you get to see how difficult, and truly dangerous it can be. The idea that your handling of the plane can be as deadly to you as hostile fire is driven home by how Tom's face is practically dragged off his skull just by maneuvering lol.
Hats off to all actors except he who played Rooster; jackass called Goose Maverick's "wingman" in an interview when the correct term is RIO or Rear-Head.
Actor's did all the filming while sat in the back been chucked around and them G's are real ! i loved them film that much plans to get it in 4k and YES i did get the goose bumps and odd tear after seen the easter eggs from the first TOP GUN film many moons ago like others would remember, in trailer months ago i was hoping the Darkstar was not the end of the film! so glad to see it at the start lol., but yes the real pilots are the best of the best, without them and all the people who worked/help this could have never have happened but huge respect also to Tom for all the work he put into making it work.
I know a guy who worked on this film and he said the pilot that flew that run said after his fastest and tightest run, "I'm not doing that any faster than that!"
I love how midway through the run, Warlock put his hand on his chin as if to say, "Wow, can Maverick actually pull this off?" And then at the end, the same hand is now a clenched fist as if to say "....YEAH!" Little details like that make this scene even more meaningful. My favorite scene of the whole film!
Warlock was always on Maverick's side from the beginning of him arriving back at Top Gun. I was actually thinking during the movie that he must have known Mav from the first movie because he was on his side and was even thinking it was Sundown, his RIO after Goose died while watching the movie but couldn't remember the callsign.
It would have been good to see the out takes of this. Eg Directer "Gimme 10 glances to the left and each time give me an expression ranging from neutral to OMG SHOCK HORROR"
John Hamm is great in this scene, too. With just a few expressions you can see he's annoyed at Maverick undermining his authority but the fighter ace in him is just excited to see if Maverick can pull it off.
My old man and I have been going to movies together since I was a little kid (ask me about the time my dad took 10 year old me and my 9 year old sister to see Gettysburg) and Top Gun Maverick was the last movie we saw together in the theaters before his sudden passing last month. what a great movie for us to end on. Thank God it wasn't Uncut Gems.
Watching this scene in the theater people were leaning forward and moving around. The woman next to me was breathing so hard I thought she was about to pass out. The Audience was that engaged. And when he hit the Bullseye the theater spontaneously erupted in cheers before everyone had this sort of 'oh crap' moment and quieted down so as to be polite to everyone else. But everyone was chuckling about it good naturedly so it was all good. This was probably one of the best movie experiences ever.
saw this on opening weekend at The Lot theater on the old NTC base in Point Loma SD. Tons of retired aviators were in their flight jackets, and groups of active duty Navy in a packed house. The SAME thing happened during this scene...it was almost surreal how you could hear and see people moving and all around and a few were almost out of their chairs during this scene. When the bullseye was hit it was a ROAR like a game winning touchdown! People were actually talking to each other and strangers were meeting strangers at the end of the film. Best movie experience in a long time.
I've been to plenty of movies, but this is the first one where I saw the kind of reactions I did and it's surreal hearing the same stories from everyone watching Maverick in theaters even months later
That's the sign of a well crafted film. I remember going to se the first Star Wars film in London, in 1977, and during the Death Star run at the end, I could see the people in the rows in front of me moving left and right during the attack sequence. I mentioned it to my pal next to me after we left, and he said 'You were doing it too'! I didn't realise. Now, THAT's the sign of a good movie.
No, you are simply young enough that your body will still obey your mind. To cite one example, every player that New England brought to training camp is a better player than Belichick ever was.
The best is Hangman saying, "Damn." He for the first time in his life, realizes he is not the best. I think it surprises him that he is so OK with it. He has to give Maverick his due.
I was literally moving in my seat As if it was a 3D movie. Im in my 30’s but I went to the IMAX with my Dad. It was like both of us were teenagers. Awesome
One thing I also loved about this scene was the difference on Maverick from the first Top Gun. It wasn’t about ego or proving himself. He did it to show that this can be done to bring them home in one piece.
I've watched this segment countless times. It's easy to get lost in each of the pilots inching forward in their seats as Maverick races toward the target. Your heart races along with theirs. Yet, the most endearing moment is at the end of this clip where Warrant Officer Hondo shakes his head resignedly, knowing full well that Maverick just "volunteered" for the almost suicidal mission... the acknowledgement that he's about to lose a dear friend. That little gesture speaks volumes... about the storyline, yet also about the craft of the director and actor, Joseph Kosinski and Bashir Salahuddin, respectively. Well done. I'll be interested to see what happens with US military pilot enrollments in the coming years because of this movie. Yeah, yeah... I get it: drones are taking over. Still, there'll be a need for a hot shot in the seat, and America needs the best of the best in that seat. Great move!
Under the current administration... numbers are not going to go up. No one wants a commander-in-chief who craps his pants and can't find the exit door when the Secret Service is pointing right at it.
Having been on both ends of it, there's nothing like humbling others, or being humbled, by experience. For someone as arrogant, yet also very accomplished and skilled, as Hangman to say anything is big, to subtly shake your head and in admiration say "Damn" is HUGE respect.
2:28 I absolutely love the shot of Cruise looking down at the shadow of his jet. I love how there are these present moments of the movie where the actors are visibly amazed by the jets. Another moment that comes to mind is Rooster running his hands along the cockpit glass towards the end of the movie. Very relatable.
Damn... - The most meaningful word in the whole sequence. Everything the 'students' ever heard, believed or thought possible has just changed and/or been confirmed.
3:38 just so yall know, this was rooster's turning point. At this moment he realized that no pilot this good could have gotten his dad killed, it really was a freak accident that was no mav's fault
Nah Maverick was too reckless In the first movie. He constantly put him and his comrades at risk because of his ego. He was bound to get someone hurt at some point even if he was technically cleared off wrongdoing for Goose's death.
@@johngregory4801 Yeah I'm not an aviation expert or here to argue about what caused his plane to crash. My point is that he just had a reckless style of flying and breaking the rules. Sooner or later stuff like that leads to accidents. That's the whole reason Iceman never liked him in the first movie. It wasn't a personal grudge, he just felt Maverick "was dangerous" and he had a point.
@@SauceBonanza that's an interesting take on hondo. I was thinking the somber look was that his friend broke the law and was going to be court marshaled.
@@chimrichalds1422 that would be a incorrect assessment. The look was "i've been telling you it can be done...and only he can do it....now you all know. what i've known all along."
@@Cmikul25gActually, his sombre nod is him realising that his friend will probably now get the call up for the actual mission. He realises that Maverick has saved everyone's life by proving that the old mission paramaters are viable, but also that Maverick has potentially sacrificed himself by showing that he's the best pilot to fly in the mission.
The whole time Hondo is probably hoping to GOD that Maverick makes it because he’s probably the one who helped Maverick bomb-up and get off the flight line.
This was the first movie I've been to where people actually cheered. Real effects, writers that dont attack the fans, makes a good movie. Who would've guessed?
One of the best scenes from one of the best movies released lately. I can honestly say I will watch this film for many years to come and still enjoy the same scenes over and over. Currently in my top 10 and am so glad they did this, soon as I saw the first 5 minutes I knew I would love this movie - the director knew exactly what we wanted and gave it to us on a platter. Rooster was such a great addition to the movie - almost felt like goose was kind of there. I miss Goose's character so was very happy to see Rooster there. A+ and again I say I f***ing love this movie!!!
This is really why Iceman specifically needed Maverick to teach this pilots. He reason that in this situation he needed someone who was going to break the rules.
Here’s my powerful takeaway from this amazing scene… In just 2mins and 15 seconds Maverick not only inspired & built belief in his training school of attendees that they could in fact complete this course in record time….. But….he also shattered any remaining belief in Admiral Simpson’s leadership (played by Jon Hamm) & proposed timeline of 4 mins for the Point Alpha flight course. Pure genius Maverick! PURE GENIUS!!
If you notice, when Cyclone announces the changes, Warlock looks around at the pilots to gauge their reactions. That they were questioning Cyclone's changes is very telling. They knew that Maverick's way was harder, but more likely to get them home alive.
When this scene was on the cinema, I looked left to see my wife and 3 teenage kids practically swaying in time and gripping their seats as Maverick swooped around. Few if any movie moments will top this segment. Aah, the days of the good ol fashioned film making..
I'm reminded of a story of about 40-50 years ago, how a glider pilot, George Moffat, already considered tops in the world, did a whole systemic take on his flying to go even faster. Literally shaving off a second here and there returned large gains in time. This is what people who have done anything for a long time and stick with it, do. It is how car motorcycle racers become faster. Practice and repetition are your friends
I was lucky enough to get a ride in a F-15B while in the Air Force in the mid 80's and I can attest to just how strenuous a ride like that is. I was in great shape in my early 20's and I hurt for three days after that flight. Absolutely unbelievable how a 48,000 lb piece of machinery can move the way it does. Every Rollercoaster in the world is a kiddy ride in comparison.
I like how, even though they've been embarrassed and put through the ringer by Maverick, the pilots accept the difficulty of his tests as what they need to match up to. They know that lowering expectations isn't good for them.
The only way to get the job done is to show how to get it done. One hell of a show. My hats off to the men and ladies who fly these machines. Thank you for your service.
What is lost in the comments, and indicative of his call sign Maverick 'wild un-breakable horse', is the drive and courage to go against the grain because you know you are right. Not much of that exists in the military today, they have bred it out of our leaders.
To my fellow American Veterans, thank you for your service to our Great Nation! This film, instilled my belief in the future of our military. I just hope Biden doesn’t destroy everything that we have worked for. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
I Have not seen it yet, I've seen most clips. I don't have A TV. I HEARD THE DARK VISORED ENEMY IS NEVER NAMED AS A COUNTRY. INTERESTING * MOVIE* PLOT.
In TOP GUN, ENEMY only had black and RED STAR/ WHICH I EQUATE to RED AND BLACK DRAGON SOCIETIES, AND SATURN *;DARK STAR* WORSHIPPERS, WHO SABBATH ON SATURDAY/ WHY DO YOU THINK THE MACH 10 JET IS CALLED DARK STAR= SATURN WORSHIP=SATAN WORSHIP=HOLLYWOOD AND D.C., AND NYC.
I remember during the first few seconds of the scene set up feeling awe and appreciation for what was to come, and then experiencing such peak enjoyment as the scene unfolded. I didn't think a movie could ever take me to such a state. One of the best movie moments of my life, if not the best.
Yes, but the ending was anything but a let down. I couldn't believe how the movie, from this scene on, just kept delivering. When he steals the F-14, it could have felt forced or ridiculous, but instead it was just perfect.
The pilots who actually fly those beasts are bad to the bone. Not to mention they’re some of the most talented and blessed people in the world. Simply amazing.
I really wish they could have e brought back some of the other characters from Maverick’s class in ‘86. Especially during Ice’s funeral, would have been nice to see Wolfman, Slider, Cougar or even Viper or Jester make a cameo. Other than that it was a great movie.
@@robertdurant7934 I really thought that we would get to see or hear what happened to Merlin (Mav's RIO at the climax of Top Gun 1). I would have been happy to see Tim Robbins again. Maybe he could have been a co-owner of the Bar Penny worked at and they could have met up near the end when he asks where she is.
3:46 Chief knew exactly then MAV was going on mission, knew someone wasn’t coming back and knew maverick would make sure it was himself instead of his crew.
And this is why young people should respect their Elders, coz thay done more seen more expincenced more. And this is what I love about Maverick he's been there done it and lived to tell the tele. ❤
There's a reason why it's incredibly difficult to qualify for a position at top gun, and the amazing pilots who flew the planes in the movie are proof.
I wanted to be a naval aviator when I was young, then 9/11 happened when I was in 5th grade. Seeing clips of special operators in Afghanistan and Iraq put me on the course for kicking in doors with jsoc instead. I don’t regret it, but man do I respect the absolute shit out of fighter pilots. They have saved my ass in style. If I reincarnate, I’m going aviation.
I love how instead of Cyclone saying "You get back here, you ***********!!" or something like that, he's like, "Ok, let's see if he can do this." And then they all are so engaged and interested to see if he can do it, and he does it. But seriously, did they think Maverick, who they chose to teach these TG graduates, couldn't pull this off on his own? Maybe just the time limit was the crazy part, but still. They had to know Maverick could easily do this.
I wish Maverick had done this and returned to his role as instructor. While I enjoyed seeing Maverick fly, it would have been a great full circle moment for him to watch his protege get the job done after being inspired by their mentor.
One of the finest movie scenes ever. It may have been a practice run, but in the context of the movie, the characters and the real life physical effort required to perform these manoeuvres (Even though it's just for a film) this was edge of the seat, gripping cinema.
This was literally the most intense scene of the movie. Edge of your seat type stuff, the whole freaking way. In the space of 2 minutes and 15 seconds Maverick changed his squad into believers.
