REVIEW: TOP GUN - MAVERICK

TOP GUN: MAVERICK - HAVE YOU SEEN THIS MOVIE!!?? Finally, someone does a sequel worth sequeling. So how did they do it? Screenplay analysis #NoSpoilers (kinda).

They make it clear in the film why we should care about this protagonist now. Why his story is necessary now. Many sequels are made just to start a franchise of a film that isn't a series. Maverick has a clear story to tell in 2022.

In addition, the writers tell a new story with old heart. The audience doesn't have to have seen TOP GUN to enjoy this film. MAVERICK tells us everything we need to know to go on this journey. 

The film is structured perfectly. Writing an action film? Study the beats. 

A-Story: The Mission 
Emotional Throughline: Maverick letting go. 
B-Sory: Rooster
C-Story: Love 

A doesn't happen without B or C. THAT'S THE NOTE. DON'T MISS IT. 

Lastly, the layperson knows nothing of planes, especially fighter planes. Most of the jargon means nothing to us. So make the story simple and repeat the information we need to track the progress of reaching the goal. We come to learn:
- Mock 10 is excellent but pushes the limit.
- Flying low is dangerous but necessary to complete the mission.
- 2 Miracles.
- Coffin Corner.
- Someone may not come home. (Stakes)
Simple.

Well done. A sequel that's better than the original??? 👀

P.S. Tom Cruise is aging well. He doesn't look plastic at all like his counterparts. Good for him.
P.P.S. And he acted his a$$ off.

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AUTHOR

Shannan E. Johnson is a former creative executive at The Syfy Channel turned CEO + Head Consultant of The Professional Pen, a script consultancy that develops screenwriters from idea to pitch to become more confident storytellers ready for a professional screenwriting career, and consults with scripted development teams at entertainment companies to streamline their notes process to get to pre-production more efficiently.