Saw Top Gun Maverick Last night in a preview screening at IMAX. Before I go any further, I want to address two points:
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I did not pay for this film. I was invited to see it. Those who invited me also did not pay to see the film.
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This article: https://businessinsider.com/top-guns-maverick-appears-changed-to-please-chinas-communist-party-2019-7
Yes this happened. Yes the big bad in this movie is unquestionably China, though you never see even the "slightest" amount of even skin from the enemy. They are covered in head to toe so you can never see who they really are in fighters, and always completely out of focus in wide shots with liberal use of camera filters. I know a lot of our brother's and sisters here are instantly out because they bent the knee to China and did this. I won't try to convince you otherwise, and I respect your decision to hold on to your convictions.
That said, I will not share spoilers in this review, besides for the original Top Gun. Really if you haven't seen the original, its 35 years old. Seriously, released in 1986. I'd question what you'd be doing over these past few years? Its a classic.
The film revolves around Pete "Maverick" Mitchel, and his current status. He still flies for the Navy, and through circumstances ends up the teaching the current generation of Top Gun pilots the requirements to complete what was deemed a mission where the pilots were most likely not coming back. He also has to deal with his relationship with Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw, the son of Nick "Goose" Bradshaw, that also became a Top Gun Navy fighter pilot. Maverick is still haunted by the death of Goose all these years later.
So was it any good? Holy balls yes. It was really good. I'd go so far as to say it was better than the first. And most importantly, there was zero sign of "the message" in this film. There was no preaching about gender inequality, no LGBTQ nonsense, no attempt to politicize the content of this film, and no attempt to shit on the US's armed forces. This is 2 hours of "Rah Rah, Go TEAM AMERICA-TOP GUN" you can watch without being irritated. The closest there is to anything remotely close is I think two of the pilots in the class are women. The woman in particular (callsign "Phoenix") isn't given inhuman abilities or whatever Hollywood schlock usually does, but instead portrayed as a rational smart human being who is written realistically considering her circumstances.
The film is a bit more heartfelt than the original due to the subject matter. It has its share of laughs as well, and those flight scenes (especially in IMAX) had my heart racing as they were done fantastically well. There is one scene in the end of the movie that may have people like "no-way" but considering the circumstances of said scene and what led up to it I could suspend my disbelief to believe this could happen.
Last "memberberries" aka nostalgia. Are there call-backs to the original? Yes. but they are tastefully done. This isn't some Ghostbusters: Afterlife level of Goose coming back in ghost-form to say bye to his grown son. You'll know them when you see them. And no, there is no innuendo or whatever in this flick.
So will you enjoy it? Yes. If you can put your hatred aside from pedo-hollywood for 2 hours and let yourself enjoy a film. Some people here have already decided already they are going to be "hell-no". For those on the fence: its Memorial Day weekend: everybody needs "leave", or they will stress themselves out. If anything, a movie that actually glorifies America and their armed forces is a good diversion.
EDIT: if you have the chance, see it in IMAX. This is one of those movies that actually take advantage of the flick with the flight scenes being shot in the format. It is 100% worth the extra ticket price.
Screw Hollywood and their make-believe BS. I don't care to waste my time or energy on something that is absolutely useless in my life. Not only would I not waste time on this crap if it was free, I wouldn't waste time on it if they paid me. More bread & circus BS to keep the masses placated.
Glad I’m not the only one. Never thought I’d see “go see dis movie!1!” On GAW front page. Sad times.
Considering film is a way that ideas are pushed into zeitgeist of our world, coupled with the subject matter of the film in question, there was enough interest from the members of this forum to push this to the front page. And its not like I didn't talk about the bullshit around this film before I said a word about it.
See? Even you commented on it, even if it was only to trash it. And that's a good thing, we need folks like you to keep us even and not too distracted.
That’s exactly what makes me sad. “There was enough interest on this board to push it to the front page.”
Are none of you paying attention? Who the fuck would give money to people who want to drink your kids blood for a little entertainment staring Scientology’s poster boy?
Gross.
Because people aren't robots and don't want to work all the time and have zero recreation time. And most people enjoy movies.
Unless you live completely off the grid growing/slaughtering your own food, generating your own electricity, and not interacting with society including avoiding paying taxes then you are lining the pockets of somebody somewhere that is a monster that does horrible things to kids.
Considering you are on the internet right now posting on this forum using a device made by some evil corporation, you are just as guilty as anybody else.
For everybody else here: I made sure to let everybody know in this little review what they were supporting even before talking about the flick. And as reasonable adults, most people respected my perspective I think for that reason. If they choose to spend money on this flick, that is their choice knowing what is going on in the backend.
If you want to be absolutist about this, by all means. But sometimes, a person wants to shut their brains off and watch a some F18's fly through canyons before returning to this horrible world we are in at the moment.
As long as you aren't on autopilot life is about choices.
You can choose to pay to see the movie knowing who it funds and enjoy yourself. This is how we in this country use to live. We didn't necessarily like everybody we did business with, but if the value for dollar is deemed worth it, we would exchange the money and bid each other good day.
Sometimes though, our convictions would block us from doing business no matter the value. I'm glad you have the strength of character to be that way.
Frankly though, not doing anything that is "useless" as you put it sounds really boring. To each their own.
If doing useless things entertain you then you do you. My time is better spent with camping, hunting, shooting and fishing with my grandsons, hanging out with my dogs, reading a book or doing chores on the farm. None of these things do I see as useless. I've seen war in SEA, I don't need nor do I care to watch a bunch of pampered actors play war in CGI or using green screens.
Sir, with all do respect, this is the language you used:
"I don't care to waste my time or energy on something that is absolutely useless in my life."
Recreation is not useless. It allows us to break down stressors and relax. You are using the word useless to describe what you are doing, not me. I don't find any of the things to you enjoy to be useless at all, they actually sound quite awesome. I wish my grandpa would have taken me hunting as a kid, but I didn't have one like that.
As I say: to each their own.