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Top Gun: Maverick

year 2022decade 20sdirector Joseph Kosinskigenre Actiongenre Drama
host Bill Simmonshost Chris Ryanproducer Craig Horlbeck
All 35 categories

The film

Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

Directed by Joseph Kosinski · Action

130 minutes [ 1 ]

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Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Tom Cruise Captain Pete "Maverick" Mitchell
Miles Teller Lieutenant Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw
Jennifer Connelly Penelope "Penny" Benjamin
Jon Hamm Vice Admiral Beau "Cyclone" Simpson
Glen Powell LT Jake "Hangman" Seresin
Ed Harris Rear Admiral Chester "Hammer" Cain
Val Kilmer Admiral Tom "Iceman" Kazansky
Lewis Pullman LT Robert "Bob" Floyd
Charles Parnell Rear Admiral Solomon "Warlock" Bates
Bashir Salahuddin Chief Warrant Officer Four Bernie "Hondo" Coleman
Monica Barbaro LT Natasha "Phoenix" Trace
Jay Ellis LT Reuben "Payback" Fitch
Danny Ramirez LT Mickey "Fanboy" Garcia
Greg Tarzan Davis LT Javy "Coyote" Machado
Manny Jacinto LT Billy "Fritz" Avalone
Raymond Lee LT Logan "Yale" Lee
Jake Picking LT Brigham "Harvard" Lennox
Jack Schumacher LT Neil "Omaha" Vikander
Kara Wang LT Callie "Halo" Bassett
Lyliana Wray Amelia Benjamin
Jean Louisa Kelly Sarah Kazansky
James Handy Jimmy
Chido Nwokocha Mission Controller
Chelsea Harris Admiral's Aide

Everything from the episode

In the order the hosts got to it. Open a row for the discussion.

24:43

Most Rewatchable Scene

Cruise and Kilmer into dogfight football; the final mission

Cruise and Kilmer into dogfight football; the final mission

In the discussion (11)
Approx. transcript time · 00:24:43Read transcript
  • The Darkstar opening and diner arrival are nominated — Bill Simmons
  • The Hard Deck introduction through Rooster playing piano is praised for economical character work and emotional flashbacks — Bill Simmons
  • Maverick defeating the trainees is nominated — Bill Simmons
  • The Iceman visit is praised for restraint, typing, frustration, vulnerability and the closing joke — Bill Simmons
  • The hosts question how deep the old rivals’ friendship became — Bill Simmons
  • Dogfight football prompts detailed doubts about two balls, scoring, defensive pressure and strategy — Bill Simmons
  • Maverick demonstrating the impossible training route is nominated — Bill Simmons
  • The full final mission through the carrier reunion is a major choice — Bill Simmons
  • Penny with the Porsche and the final flight provide an especially satisfying coda — Bill Simmons
  • Bill favors the Kilmer scene leading into football — Bill Simmons
  • Chris praises the extended finale and the lack of music during part of the mission — Bill Simmons
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41:07

What’s Aged the Best?

Jennifer Connelly, practical flying and measured callbacks

Jennifer Connelly, practical flying and measured callbacks

The panel is imagining how this might look in the future.

In the discussion (15)
Approx. transcript time · 00:41:07Read transcript
  • Connelly is both hosts’ first choice — Bill Simmons
  • The romance is praised as age-appropriate, warm and unusually convincing for later Cruise — Bill Simmons
  • Making Penny the briefly mentioned woman from the first film is considered smart — Bill Simmons
  • Teller’s resemblance to Anthony Edwards works — Bill Simmons
  • The casting competition is echoed by Maverick choosing Rooster — Bill Simmons
  • The score reuses familiar themes effectively — Bill Simmons
  • The hosts praise the feeling of actors experiencing real flight — Bill Simmons
  • The opening credits recall the original without making the whole film a remake — Bill Simmons
  • Coyote’s G-lock scene is praised — Bill Simmons
  • The trophy, Goose mannerisms, beach yell and carrier reunion are effective callbacks — Bill Simmons
  • Bob’s simple call sign is funny — Bill Simmons
  • Maverick tossing the manual away is appreciated — Bill Simmons
  • Maverick and Iceman texting with punctuation is a good age detail — Bill Simmons
  • An unnamed enemy allows streamlined action — Bill Simmons
  • Jeans, leather jackets, Hawaiian shirts and aviators lend a timeless look — Bill Simmons
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53:28

The Great Shot Gordo Award for Most Cinematic Shot

The sailing scene, Darkstar flyby and aircraft launch

The sailing scene, Darkstar flyby and aircraft launch

In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 00:53:28Read transcript
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55:14

The Butch’s Girlfriend Award for the Weakest Link in the Film

The underused supporting pilots; Phoenix divides the room

The underused supporting pilots; Phoenix divides the room

In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 00:55:14Read transcript
  • Bill wants more from Jay Ellis and Manny Jacinto
  • Bob’s characterization and second-seat duties are questioned
  • Bill considers Phoenix underdeveloped and imagines a Michelle Rodriguez-like presence
  • Chris likes Phoenix and values her relationship with Rooster
  • Craig is explicitly invited to break the tie and says she was good
  • The discussion distinguishes the performance from the amount of character development
  • The lack of a larger comic supporting personality is noted
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1:00:50

What’s Aged the Worst?

Penny’s idealized life, thin mission logic and rushed funeral

Penny’s idealized life, thin mission logic and rushed funeral

The panel is imagining how this might look in the future.

In the discussion (11)
Approx. transcript time · 01:00:50Read transcript
  • Cruise’s introductory theater message feels stiff — Bill Simmons
  • The hosts jokingly connect its placement to the Nicole Kidman AMC advertisement — Bill Simmons
  • Penny’s beauty, successful bar, Porsche, sailboat and almost frictionless family life seem implausibly perfect — Bill Simmons
  • A crowded bar seems impossibly understaffed — Bill Simmons
  • The unnamed uranium target and lack of simpler attack options raise doubts — Bill Simmons
  • Cruise’s dark hair is questioned as an age detail — Bill Simmons
  • The pre-mission encouragement to Rooster feels too ordinary — Bill Simmons
  • The new pop singles compare poorly with the original soundtrack’s cultural footprint — Bill Simmons
  • Rooster’s call sign is not universally liked — Bill Simmons
  • The hosts reject some complaints about omitting McGillis and Meg Ryan, while imagining a Ryan scene — Bill Simmons
  • Iceman’s funeral feels too short — Bill Simmons
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1:10:18

Is There a Better Title for This Movie?

Keep Top Gun: Maverick

Keep Top Gun: Maverick

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:10:18Read transcript
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1:12:38

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

Allison Willmore’s Maverick death-dream interpretation

Allison Willmore’s Maverick death-dream interpretation

In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:12:38Read transcript
  • The hosts credit Allison Willmore at Vulture for the theory — Bill Simmons
  • Maverick dies in the opening flight and the rest resolves his unfinished relationships — Bill Simmons
  • The idealized diner, vague enemy and timeless clothing are offered as supporting readings — Bill Simmons
  • Surviving the opening crash is treated as doubtful based on informal research — Bill Simmons
  • The hosts say the film can work either with or without this interpretation — Bill Simmons
  • Rooster’s selection is criticized as nepotism while a dangerous mission is at stake — Bill Simmons
  • Penny’s implausibly perfect existence is another related take — Bill Simmons
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1:17:58

The Ruffalo / Hanna / Rubinek / Partridge Overacting Award

Glen Powell

Glen Powell

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:17:58Read transcript
  • Both hosts choose Powell for knowingly heightened swagger — Chris Ryan
  • His final rescue is singled out — Chris Ryan
  • Ed Harris is expected to be louder but remains comparatively restrained — Chris Ryan
  • The hosts clarify that this award does not mean a bad performance — Chris Ryan
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1:19:06

The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award

Charles Parnell as Warlock

Charles Parnell as Warlock

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:19:06Read transcript
  • Hondo and Warlock are the finalists — Bill Simmons
  • Salahuddin may be more familiar to South Side viewers — Bill Simmons
  • Parnell is the agreed choice, with Briarpatch also mentioned — Bill Simmons
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1:19:26

The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance

Val Kilmer, over Hondo

Val Kilmer, over Hondo

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:19:26Read transcript
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1:27:14

Apex Mountain

Post-prime Cruise, the 1973 Porsche 911, and Joseph Kosinski: yes

Post-prime Cruise, the 1973 Porsche 911, and Joseph Kosinski: yes

In the discussion (10)
Approx. transcript time · 01:27:14Read transcript
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1:40:07

Is This Movie Better With…?

Wayne Jenkins as Cyclone

Wayne Jenkins as Cyclone

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:40:07Read transcript
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1:41:46

Just One Oscar

Joseph Kosinski

Joseph Kosinski

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:41:46Read transcript
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1:46:13

What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie?

Penny’s Porsche, the Hard Deck or Maverick’s jacket

Penny’s Porsche, the Hard Deck or Maverick’s jacket

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:46:13Read transcript
  • The Porsche is the emphatic first choice — Chris Ryan
  • Owning the entire Hard Deck is proposed — Chris Ryan
  • The bomber jacket is the smaller alternative — Chris Ryan
  • The hosts dismiss a plane or motorcycle as less usable for them — Chris Ryan
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1:47:17

The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson

It’s the pilot, not the plane

It’s the pilot, not the plane

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:47:17Read transcript
  • The pilot-over-equipment lesson is preferred — Bill Simmons
  • Acting without overthinking is another candidate — Bill Simmons
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1:47:35

Who Won the Movie?

Tom Cruise, with a personal case for Jennifer Connelly

Tom Cruise, with a personal case for Jennifer Connelly

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:47:35Read transcript
  • Cruise receives the initial shared answer — Bill Simmons
  • One host personally favors Connelly — Bill Simmons
  • Two more Connelly scenes are imagined as enough to change the result — Bill Simmons
  • The exchange is preserved as qualified rather than manufactured unanimous ballots — Bill Simmons
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