Cannes Film Festival: Tom Cruise and “Top Gun Maverick” will take off the Croisette

When you're so patient for so long, you deserve a global launch with a bang.

Repeatedly postponed for almost two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic and health measures, “Top Gun: Maverick” offers itself, before its theatrical release on May 25, the most prestigious of international previews, this Wednesday, May 18, on the Cannes red carpet.

It will undoubtedly be the most flamboyant event of this 75th International Film Festival: master class with Tom Cruise at 4 p.m., then arrival at the foot of the steps of the star and his team at the end of the day, for a signing of autographs and a photo session with the public – the 59-year-old actor loves it and knows very well how to give an XXL smile in these moments –, while the planes of the Patrouille de France will fly over the Palais des Festivals.

Before a very glamorous screening of the film out of competition at 7 p.m. in the large Lumière hall, one of the most beautiful in the world.

Just that !

Too much ?

Certainly not, given the "generational" aspect of the film: seen and seen again in the cinema, then on TV or on DVD, by millions of spectators since 1986, the original "Top Gun" by the late Tony Scott, broadcast this Thursday, May 19 by M 6, and become cult for several generations, is part of the history of cinema and made Tom Cruise a legend.

Breathtaking rollercoaster sequences

All that remained was to find a sequel worthy of the name: the lucky ones who will see “Maverick” on Wednesday evening in Cannes will discover to what extent the bet is more than won.

Stunning, this blockbuster which confronts the hotheaded character of Maverick with young pilots who dream of fighting it is a feast for the eyes and the ears.

Playing thoroughly, almost in every scene, the card of nostalgia, this incredible sequel constantly returns to its illustrious model, with less nunucheries and more action.

And what action!

While the 1986 film offered unheard-of aerial scenes, this new opus sets the bar even higher: the viewer is stuck on board the jets with Tom Cruise and the other pilots, for rollercoaster-style sequences that take your breath away and lead to clinging to your chair.

VIDEO.

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It shakes hard, very hard, but not only: Joseph "Joe" Kosinski's feature film also spares a lot of suspense, dares to have pretty romantic sequences between Maverick and the beautiful Penny (Jennifer Connelly), a few emotional moments... and constantly plays with the image of Maverick/Cruise, almost intact after 36 years, hero and comedian still crazy but more composed, now able to take on themselves and give in measure...

In the end, this second part succeeds in being able to be appreciated both by those who were 15 years old in 1988 and by today's teenagers.

We will be able to see it in Cannes, this success is largely due to the charisma of Cruise, this unreal figure, which one could believe eternal, of Hollywood cinema.

The real "boss" of the film is him, present at all stages, right down to the staggering stunts he performs himself.

Editor's note:

4/5

"Top Gun: Maverick", action film by Joseph Kosinski, with Tom Cruise, Jennifer Connelly, Miles Teller, Glen Powell (2h11).

In theaters May 25