Tom Cruise: "Top Gun II"

"Top Gun: Maverick" is essentially "A Chorus Line," with planes.

In "A Chorus Line," the dancers all really need a job. ("God, I hope I get it!") Some dancers view life in a comic way. ("I'm watching sis go pitter pat...." "Tits and ass....can change your life....") Others are a bit grander, even a bit tragic. ("Kiss the day goodbye....and point me toward tomorrow....")

The center-stage candidate is Cassie, and she has history with the choreographer, and she is perhaps a bit too old. Also, her style is off. She pops her shoulders too much. But she wants work! God, I'm a dancer.....a dancer dances!

In "Top Gun: Maverick," Tom Cruise is the choreographer, and Miles Teller is Cassie. Further evidence that this film was made for gay men? The young cast plays shirtless "dogfight football" while also shimmying to the beats of One Republic.

I'd just like to make one observation here. I can't stand the culture desk at NPR; the "criticism" is often inane. Recently, one snooty reporter objected to "Top Gun II" because it "tries too hard to make Miles Teller happen."

Just to state the obvious: Miles Teller is insanely talented. He was sensational in his first film, "Rabbit Hole," where he was handpicked by Nicole Kidman to carry some weighty, difficult scenes. He was again excellent in "Whiplash" and "The Spectacular Now." It's not a surprise that he is the heart and soul of this summer's blockbuster, a blockbuster that also includes great work from Tom Cruise, Ed Harris, and Jon Hamm.

So, NPR, you can fuck off.

I really loved this movie.

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