I caught Top Gun: Maverick when it opened in Japan on May 28, 2022, but I did not want to put in any spoilers in that post. So here are some things that caught my attention in the movie, which may be spoilers so I consolidated them in this post after watching the movie a second time.
Scenes in Top Gun: Maverick which were references to Top Gun:
- The entire opening, with the music, the text introducing Fighter Weapons School, and even the appearance of the names of the cast.
- Maverick pushing the envelop, going beyond the test requirement of Mach 10 in the Darkstar, just like how he pushed the limits to fly inverted over the MiG-28 in Top Gun.
- Maverick riding alongside the runway in his Kawasaki motorcycle.
- Rooster playing "Great Balls of Fire" in the bar, which led to the flashback of Goose playing that same song.
- The name Penny (Maverick's love interest in Top Gun:Maverick) is the same as that of the admiral's daughter in Top Gun.
- Maverick tried to hit on Charlie, then got a surprise when she walked into class the next day as the civilian instructor; Hangman and friends threw Pops out of the bar, then got a surprise when Maverick walked into class the next day as their instructor.
- Beach football scene, which was a beach volleyball scene in Top Gun.
- "Talk to me, Goose." "Talk to me, Dad."
- Flying the F-14 for that final escape, with Maverick as the pilot, and Goose's son Rooster as the RIO.
- Handshake between Hangman and Rooster after returning onboard the carrier at the end of the mission, just like how Maverick and Ice shared a handshake after their mission (a photo of this scene was also shown as part of the movie, when Maverick made his return to Fighter Weapons School).
Ice, played by Val Kilmer, was Maverick's rival in Top Gun. In Top Gun: Maverick,
Ice has made it up the ranks and is now Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet,
and is also a good friend of Maverick. There is actually a real-life
case of such a career. When Top Gun was filmed, one of those who
participated in the filming was then-LCDR Robert "Rat" Willard
(see his name in the credit roll). Years later, he became Commander,
U.S. Pacific Fleet, and ended his naval career as Commander, U.S.
Pacific Command with the rank of ADM.
There is the issue of time, though. Top Gun: Maverick takes place 36 years after Top Gun. If our characters in Top Gun
were holding the rank of LT in 1986, they would have been in service
for at least a few years. Which means they would have served in the navy
for more than 40 years by 2022. In real life, they would have retired
by now... but I guess this is a small detail that can be sidelined for
plot. 😅
I am also not very sure how tolerant the navy is about letting admirals with throat cancer, so severe that they can hardly talk, continue serving, and in extremely high profile positions too.
I do like the small detail that went into painting Maverick's plane with the number 00, which is the number (or rather, the last two digits of the three-digit number) usually painted on the CAG's plane(s) on an aircraft carrier.
Another detail was the radar picture. After the flight took off from the carrier and descended to less than 100ft above sea level, the radar operator mentioned that they have disappeared from radar and therefore switching to E-2 picture for their positions. This is because of the radar horizon; the aircraft carrier's radar is at a lower height and thus will eventually be blocked by the Earth's curvature. The E-2 is flying high above and can thus detect low-flying aircraft at much longer ranges. The phrase "switching to E-2 picture" was a simple and minor phrase but added realism to the movie.
If I manage to catch the movie again (or a few more times) and notice more stuff, I will keep adding to this post. Until then!
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