how good is OBLIVION though? even though it came out in 2013 instead of 2006. if you feel the need to correct this date I want you to take a good hard look in the mirror and question everything about who you are.

"We don't need miniatures anymore." Tom Cruise: "You're right, build this shit full scale."

finally someone praising his incredible filmmaking rather than make fun of him. since MI5 his action films have not been topped by any other action film in Hollywood. every stunt makes you sit on the edge of your seat at the theatre. love your video essays btw. keep up the sick work

Just finished the film. What a spectacular experience. Once Tom Cruise retires it’ll be the end of an era for action films. Top Gun Maverick was unreal.

He's carrying the entire action film industry on his back. Hardly anybody can hold a candle to him in terms of authentic action, passion, and willingness to craft a great action film. CGI isn't bad, but it's almost always used incorrectly. It was so nice seeing this film. It was incredible. Tangible action sequences. Well constructed film all around. It's one of the few action films in recent memory that I was still fawning about after I walked out of the theater.

I left the theater after seeing Top Gun Maverick and said to myself, "They don't make them like this anymore." By doing things practically, it lent so much more authenticity to the film and it showed, as the action sequences felt incredibly visceral. Loved it from start to finish and intend on seeing it again.

Am I the only one who LOVED Val Kilmer's performance as Ice Man in Maverick? He did justice to the movie without even saying anything. That scene had more Acting than anything I have seen this year. 💚💚

Tom Cruise is the only real genuine movie star in Hollywood, everything he's touched for the last decade has been pretty much golden. Top Gun Maverick was insane, I had completely forgotten what an actual Hollywood movie was like, considering all that's come out of Hollywood for the last few years has been pig-slop.

If the Oscars happened tomorrow, I wouldn't mind Top Gun Maverick being up for Best Picture. What a movie!

I've always respected Cruise for just throwing himself entirely into the production of his films. That authenticity being a key factor. When it comes to aviation, CGI jets have always looked bad to me, still to this day. Shooting practical is definitely a bold move (insanely expensive, insurance etc) but as a viewer, this is exactly why I go to the cinema. To be fully engrossed in a film, story, visuals etc. Maybe this is the evolution of cinema, as CGI has become the norm, we're all fairly unimpressed by (most of) it. Going to catch a late screening tonight hopefully. Great video Patrick.

I know oscars alone dont define the greatness of a movie or the actor but still, for the record- top gun maverick completely deserves the same. Tom Cruise killed it, he's unbelievable

This is SOOOOOO much better than the endless stream of production-line superhero movies that the studios force on us. I used to love going to the movies but pretty much all there seems to be nowadays is either cartoons for little kids or superheros, also for little kids. Thank the stars for Tom Cruise and his proper action movies to keep cinema alive.

Imagine having christopher nolan as director and tom cruise as actor in one movie

Just came back from the theatre, what an incredible experience. I opted for D-Box seats, which move, vibrate, and throw you around along with the action on-screen. Again, what an experience. I really hope more films take this grounded approach, as it just works so damn well. Also, probably the nicest looking bar scene since Skyfall.

Watched Top Gun: Maverick last night. Amazing cinematic experience. CGI was used in a number of places, especially in the final dogfight sequences, but it was used SO well and the models were such of high fidelity that it made me believe that the particular aircraft portrayed were actually real (they couldn’t have been real because the production team has no access to them).

Regardless of the story and/or casting, there's no denying that with any Tom Cruise film you always get a high level of production quality. This is a great video, Patrick. Always enjoy your constructive reviews and look forward to seeing this on the IMAX.

You had me at Oblivion. I don't know why so many people have a hate on for Tom. I quite like most of his movies. And thanks for this movie Patrick.

This was one of the best cinematic experiences I've had in a long time. I'm not even nerdy about planes nor do I care that much about the original Top Gun film but man did this sequel totally blow my mind. I was being so obnoxious in the theater making noises and cheering because I was so emotionally moved by the experience of this movie. Really great stuff!

Also one of the things that makes Tom so good is cause he really knows how to listen and connect to the scene. And clearly he has an actual respect for each department that makes a movie. Something other actors don't even acknowledge.

This makes me happy, I feel like most of the 2 decade sequels have been disappointing but having Maverick shine has been pretty heart warming as a filmmaker

Tom is incredibly underrated as a professional. Simply one of the best that has consistently improved over time in both his impact and acting.

It's the rare case when having an actor being totally involved with everything in his movies pays off. You always listen to stories about making this or that movie was hell, because the star was messing with the script, or the filming. Cruise KNOWS what he wants, and that is for us tu have fun. That's why his best movies are all with relativelly inexperienced/new directors. He is the man in charge.

PT, this was a DELIGHTFUL essay. loved every second of it. I had the humble pleasure of working with Tom Cruise on Jack Reacher 2 and I can certainly attest to the kind of set culture that he cultivates. it's precisely as you describe it.

During the 50s and 60s when special effects were being adopted more frequently, even though crude by today's standards, they created a sense of magic for the viewer because they were now viewing something impossible. Throughout the late 70s and 80s when computer generated graphics came along it again created a sense of wonder and magic because it was able to take you to new realms. And on top of that, during those time periods the general population had ZERO concept or understanding of what was possible or not possible using CGi, and because of that it was easier for them to blend fake and real into one thing. Throughout the 90s, 00s, and 2010's CGi became more or less the standard, and instead of instilling a sense of magic or wonder it immediately makes you say "that's so fake", and becomes boring because ANYTHING can be done in a film now with zero authenticity, and we know that going into it. When you watch movies with heavy CG now, you spend the majority of the film subconsiously looking for the most authentic and real looking set pieces or scenes, and those are the most thrilling. Anything else that is CG, regardless of how big of an event it is, feels cheap, uninteresting and most times goofy, and therfore gets dismissed. Things now that would have put a viewer in the 50s or 60s into shock, are just blah. I think/hope the next trend in cinema/large blockbuster films is authenticity and real seat peices/stunts. If we go into a movie knowing that the majority of it is real it enhances the thrill we experience. I know it did for me during this film with the flight scenes and canyon runs. I think Tom knows this on a deep personal level and he's honestly, in our day and age, ahead of his time for it.

I've been saying this for YEARS! It's always my "hot take" - Tom Cruise is a national treasure and I'll see anything he makes. Great video essay, man. Love your work, if you're ever in Utah I'd love to buy you a coffee and talk movies. Cheers.

Tom being a nutjob on his personal life is irrelevant to me idc what people do with their own lives in their own time, but his filmmaking/acting is almost second to none. The man is incredible at what he does and I have already seen this film twice and loved it more the second time and would happily see it a 3rd. This is what Hollywood is missing and this film was a breathe of fresh air.

Top Gun is my favourite movie since I was a child, and while it’s now mocked for particular scenes, it was a technical feat and produced beautiful scenes of dogfighting. Top Gun Maverick took that to another level with what is possible with technology today. Tom Cruise has been making marvellous action movies for almost 2 decades now, and is a great actor, but I personally love his dedication that you conveyed here in your well made video essay.

Nothing wrong with a good ole' Tom Cruise Action flick. Loving these video essays by the way. Always makes me look at movies more in-depth.

I admit I don't think I've appreciated Tom Cruise as much as he deserves it. Theres something to be said about authentic stunts like this that show how great and awesome humans really are, something CGI kills as everything is literally just fake.

I just came back from seeing this movie and it exceeded my expectations by far. It was the best movie theatre experience I have had in a very long time. Maybe only topped by the original Top Gun which I saw in theatres when I was ten or Return of the Jedi in a theatrical re-release when I was a young boy. I went with my wife , my 13 year old boy and my parents who are 70 and we all loved it. We felt it was a fresh enough story with just the right amount of nostalgia sprinkled in. Kudos to Mr. Cruise and anybody who was apart of the creative team involved in this movie. So happy I got to see it in the theatres and not streamed on my tiny tv. Thanks for that too Mr. Cruise. I hope more studios follow suit and give us less bad cgi and more practical effects/realistic sets. Thanks to you too Patrick for this wonderful video essay.

Can't wait to watch this movie next week! btw I'm so glad some people still remembers Oblivion, that movie is fire

As CinemaWins says “Unnecessary risks taken by Tom Cruise due to his unimpeded devotion to realism.” In my opinion, Maverick might just be the best movie to come out in the past few years. It’s just so damn solid.

I watched this movie yesterday and it was probably the best theatre experience since Fallout for me. No Way Home’s theatre experience was also amazing but for different reasons. I was in absolute awe during Maverick’s spectacle

I really hope Maverick launches us into another golden age of hollywood, where we get these blockbusters with real cinema. Not the 100% CGI movies we've got for the past decade.

At one point in my life i thought i suffered from severe depression, because i could not enjoy movies, music or games as i used to. I thought maybe it´s also my age (41). I´ve seen some shit. But when i saw maverick at the cinema, suddenly i felt the rush, the uplifting energy, the excitement and the movie magic i thought i would never experience again We are surrounded by bullshit forgettable lifelesse "draw by the numbers" corporate trash arts.

Great breakdown, sir. This was the most fun I've had at a movie theater in the past decade. The aerial sequences, the sound effects, the acting, the soundtrack, and the pacing of the story were all so well done. I wanted to point out you misspoke at 3:06 about Oblivion. It was released in 2013. Cruise has been on a roll. His only hiccup with his career in the past 20yrs is The Mummy, but he's easily the biggest and best action star Hollywood has ever seen. However, he definitely doesn't get enough credit for his actual acting. He does a phenomenal job of getting serious and conveying emotion, while also being that charismatic fun guy.

Top Gun is the best film experience I've had in the past couple years. It perfectly nails the nostalgia of the original, adds a modern edge to make it relatable, still keeps the cheesy 80s undertones, has emotional, funny, and thrilling moments, and all in all it was a good movie that actually added to the story.

Finally, a real movie that doesn't bank on bloated CGI.

So, basically, what Tom did with technology: instead of replacing real life with technology (i.e.CGI), he inserted technology to shoot real life better. The opposite approach to what many Hollywood producers do.

I'm a movie buff and fighter jet enthusiast. I watched Top Gun in the cinema with the fighter pilots. You should have seen the twinkle in their eyes. they sang like children that day. I cried in the movie. I don't cry. I don't know what happened but it happened

This was hands down the best movie in recent years. It has the realization of mortality we all are subject to as humans. Most realistic, fun, heartfelt and of course action filled movie I have seen in a LONG time!!

This is the biggest opening for a Tom Cruise movie ever. See This how you make a sequel, you always honor the pass first before you bring on the new young actors and you don't make your lead actor be a cameo in his own movie

"I feel the need, the need for speed" I grew up with Top Gun, I was born in 83. I adore 80s movies. So this sequel blew my mind. It's legacy and nostalgia done right.

Is it alright for me to say that as a lover of the original top gun, as someone who loves the music, as someone who can quote all the iconic lines, as someone who cries everytime I see goose die. I actually think the sequel is better.

Loved this film. Excellent answer to the Marvel/DC superhero CGI trend, which seems more and more like a cash machine than a desire to make a truly great movie. Cruise is also a much cooler guy than I think he gets credit for sometimes.

Great video! Tom is more than just an actor; he is a filmmaker, and I hope future filmmaker's draw inspiration from his work ethic!

Great job Patrick, you crushed it with this video. 👏🏽

Saw this on Friday. EXCELLENT movie. Tom Cruise not only might have saved people's faith in movies with this, but he might have helped Imax or 4DX experiences as well. This is the kind of action movie that people want in a theater experience. It is a 110% terrific experience. Also: There is NO "woke" bullshit in this movie. No politics. Nobody trying to sneak a unicorn down your eyesockets. It's a straight-up example of every reason why going to a movie theater should still exist when everyone else in Hollywood has run out of ideas. Go watch it, it is the first movie in a long time that really got me excited to see it again.

Tom cruise is probably the greatest movie megastar ever ... when it comes to acting he is one of the best..but when it comes to what a true real megastar could be..its Tom Cruise..he is a true legend..

I truly loved the film. I love Tom Cruise so much for those reasons, he’s completely devoted to his craft and I’m the same when it comes to storytelling and filmmaking. I definitely want make realistic practically shot action films one day. Top Gun: Maverick sits right up there with Mad Max: Fury Road as a grand achievement in filmmaking.

Just watched Top Gun: Maverick yesterday. ITS SO AMAZING! We need more actual quality movies unlike the production line that are common superhero """movies"""

Tom Cruise takes moviemaking dead seriously, and you could feel it throughout the movie. Great film

Love the write up. Ditto this is my favorite film of the year so far. Was left utterly speechless by the cinematography and the dedication to make this a film almost entirely shot with practical effects. Very impressive

We didn't see Top Gun subverted or deconstructed, we saw Top Gun done sincerely and done right! With passion!

This should have a million views! After hating him for several years due to the talentless attention seekers right now I'm as big of a fan as it gets (not to the creepy extent) I binged watched all his movies within a month.

The sounds of flares going off in IMAX was amazing.

Tom Cruise has become a national treasure. He brings together the great art of former generations with modern sensibilities. His products are all that needs to be said. He is a Rembrandt amongst cartoon characters.

It really was a masterpiece! Go see this movie and then go see it, again, and again, etc. It deserves the money and our attention. Hollywood needs to hear our voice! Fan service in sequels cannot be ignored any longer! Tom Cruise figured it out and he is the last great movie star , if things don’t change, soon. Thanks for the review! Spot on! God bless…

Great video - just saw the movie and it really is above everything else. It tops any Marvel movie I'd seen in recent memory. A classic today.

I am so happy I saw this movie in the theatre. It was an epic experience. Tom Cruise thanking us at the beginning for watching it in the theatre was a class act.

The one reason I love Tom Cruise is that he's no other generic actor like Dwayne Johnson who just plays himself in every movie Cruise makes a movie feel as authentic as possible

Yes, agree on absolutely everything and I'm so glad someone finally praised Oblivion too, it's one of my favourites (that epic M83 soundtrack?! omg). Also, it refreshing when someone mentions objectively bad movie like 2Fast 2Furious and doesn't hate it :) I mean, we know it's not perfect, but it has enjoyable moments, so why not enjoy it? :) Thumbs up for that! 👍

This was exceptionally well done. Thoroughly enjoyed your breakdown. Awesome job, Patrick.

Practical cinematography does not and will never get any better than this. I was so blown away with the cinematography. Tom Cruise Is the epitome of what a Hollywood star is.

Great video, you totally nailed it with your points. One thing I would like to add and that I find baffling: Not only does the new Top Gun looks more ''real'' and visually stunning than your average CGI-blockbuster but it was also cheaper to produce! Same goes for Denis Villeneuve's Dune. Both these movies cost around 150-160 million $, according to IMDb and yes, that's a lot of money, but look how much more some of these superhero movies cost, who look way worse. For example: WW84 had a 230 million $ budget, The Eternals cost around 200 million $. And they both look like crap, in terms of visual effects. You can literally see the green screen in many scenes. Hell, there's a scene in WW84, where they screwed up the green screen so bad, Gal Gadot looks like if she's running on air, it's funny to watch. And then you have Tom Cruise, filming with real-life fighter jets and putting his cast through fly school or Denis Villeuneve, building 1:1 size models of the Ornithopters and filming in the jordanian desert and what not for 50 million $ less.

I love that so many Inc myself explain it like this, this is what going to the cinema used to be (when you saw something good) .. The last 10, 15 years have just been the next chapter of a ongoing story over and over just different franchises .. There have been plot twists and amazing cgi work but usualy when you walk out you are like" ok that was good, what's next? Moving on .." This movie was that matrix, jurassic Park kind of experience where while you are watching it for the first time you have no idea how they pulled this shit off and you leave the theather thinking "what the hell did i just watch? I wanna watch it again!".. Think the last movie I saw twice in the cinema was joker..

Please, please, please, let filmmakers learn that practical effects and film making still has a place and an authenticity that CGI and not recreate.

Can you say ALL OF THIS AGAIN for everyone in the back? This is a sharp, insightful and brilliant breakdown. You are severely underrated in the film commenting space.

The surprising thing about Top Gun: Maverick is that it's a sequel that actually works and compares favorably with the original, despite being made 35 years later. The other surprising thing is that Jennifer Connelly still looks so hot at 51. Both she and Tom Cruise have done a great job of taking care of themselves.

The fact a friend of mine said she didn't like it because it was "too hetero" means it was perfect

Top Gun: Maverick was the first movie I paid for tickets to see in a theater since The Martian. 100% worth it.

TG: Maverick made me fall in love with movies on the big screen again, I saw it on IMAX and it was an amazing experience.

people like you are the reason why this style of film making wont die out

Patrick Tomasso:"I like Tom Cruise's puzzled look performace. Tom Cruise:"Thats the only look i got"

It's awesome. I watched Top Gun way too many times as a kid and this film is better than the original. I watched it with my sister and we loved it. MI with jets? Sweet!

Love the video and the long overdue appreciation of Tom Cruise's continuing contribution to the excellence of film. It's weird to have been with this guy every step of the way from the very beginning. And I mean very beginning. I remember as a kid watching Brooke Shield's Endless Love in theatres the summer of '82 and there's this one comic relief side kick friend of the main protagonist's group of Bros on campus who was barely in the movie or had any screen time with just a handful of lines yet that old adage, 'There's no small parts, just small actors ' applies here because the almost basically dayplayer who probably filmed all his parts in an afternoon and was wrapped had a charisma and manic magnatism to him that made you instantly ignore the leads and want to just watch him. I just recall him being hilarious. Just a nothing role yet his energy was palpable and contagious. I remember thinking of that character far after I could ever remember the actual film and if that actor would ever be seen again. At the time, I was looking out for him in a comedy. He just seemed a natural with his loose, easy going charm and eager to way naturalism and window rattling laugh in cut off jean shorts. That's funny in itself. It wasn't long that he did show up in a movie and I would recognize him instantly. But, it was no comedy. That was when I saw the ultra serious, new Hollywood crop of young actors in a gritty, military melodrama called Taps. And that actor was playing a very troubled, disturbed individual in a cadet academy who goes off the deep end by the end of the picture. But for two hours he was unnervingly unsettling and brought oceans of intensity. He made his costar Sean Penn seem like the not ready for prime time players he was so committed and believable. But, the fact this brilliant young actor could play two opposite ends of the spectrum in personality, demeanor and alter his very chi and molecules around him it seemed, was extraordinary. The range on this guy. That's when I got his name in the closing credits and committed it to memory: Tom Cruise. He has said at 60 years of age he will hang it up with doing his own stunts and the action genre the way he had. So were ate fast approaching the end of another Cruise era. He has one more Mission movie to film and get in the can do that will be his Swan song to this amazing chapter in his lustrous filmography and career. I look forward to the next era which will be his return to that crazy wild committed Lazer focus to his craft in dramatic roles which I truly believe his greatest strength lies. I think his best performances still like ahead and we're on the cusp of the most interesting chapter of Tom Cruise's acting resume. He'll fulfill that early promise of burst of blinding talent in dramatic serious fare and without a doubt earn at least two academy award trophies when this upcoming twenty year span reaches it's conclusion. It'd be deadly to bet against him. That's right, Ice man....he is dangerous. But, when he flies , he's not unsafe; rather he finds new vistas and frontiers to explore and soar to ever new heights and feats of wonder and inspired innovation. Can't wait. 🤙

Also reminds me of Jackie Chan's classic action flicks. Chan never settled for CGI and always does his own stunts and uses practical effects. People like Cruise and Chan are a dying breed for sure.

mate! Incredible amount of work here! and still the best narration on the platform 🙌🙌

Loved the video Pat, you’re killing it with these, my dad loves Tom Cruise movies. 💀

1st off I'm all in on everything Tom Cruise. He's amazing!! 2nd. Dang PT! Even in a video like this the look and feel of your editing and choice to zoom in on even the borrowed footage just is unparalleled!! It's gorgeous!! Thank you for pioneering beautiful KZfaq videos!! Bravo 👏🏻👏🏻

My dad and I are massive fans of Top Gun and for years it's been my favorite movie of all time, we had been waiting forever for this movie to come out and you wouldn't believe how happy we were when we walked out of the theater after seeing Top Gun: Maverick in IMAX on Tuesday at an early screening event at my local theater. I think that regardless of what your thoughts on Tom Cruise are, you cannot deny that his films always bring a high amount of production quality. Not just in terms of money thrown at him to make his movies, but in how they truly FEEL like movies, and the amount of effort that goes into them to make them authentic and real. Everyone in the theater went wild during certain moments in the movie and we were just in awe during the dogfight and flying sequences. Top Gun Maverick may have been the best experience I've ever had watching a movie in theaters since I saw Avengers: Endgame on opening night back in 2019. Great essay man, you've definitely earned a sub!

Many thanks to Tom for creating Les Grossman. Cruise with Nolan or Tarantino on a film would be a dream.

one of those rare sequels than can definitely outshine the OG.

All the stuff you are talking about in this video are SO COOL! I love to hear all this information! Thank you!

Man, the quality of your videos is just awesome ... the 80's synthwave soundtrack in the background is a killer. Keep up the good work!

The scene where he runs the canyon simulation in 2 minutes and 15 seconds to show that it was possible to do was without a doubt my favourite movie scene in a long time.

You put together a great video and basically reminded everyone why this film needs to be seen in IMAX

After three subsequent viewings on theatres on different levels of setup, I'm also convinced that not only Maverick is the best 2022 movie ever, but also might just be one of the best, period. We often talk about how impressive the immersion and realism in Maverick through the blend between practical effects and bits of CGI, but what elevates the whole experience until it became a TOP billion dollar profit movie is the sheer amount of professional acting and emotions, as well as the soundtrack choices. You're absolutely right about Tom Cruise. He's the last breed of someone who does things the old-fashioned way. This not only can be seen through the obvious levels of discomfort in every back-breaking G-turns, but also the more emotional scenes with Val Kilmer. We KNOW it's something real between these two, and they could easily re-cast him but they literally include Val's illnesses within the script just to elevate the scene between the two. Even the soundtrack choices does not escape the old school treatment, because not only we get the classic Faltermeyer soundtracks and Danger Zone, but also adapting songs by OneRepublic into something that would fit for an 80's movie. Overall, as a massive Star Wars fanboy and an airplane nut, I genuinely believe this is what A New Hope is back in 1977: A sequel of a story that's also a functioning standalone that respects its original source material. I'm gonna be genuinely disappointed if Maverick did not get at least an Oscar nomination.

Love the tone and aesthetic of your videos, really nails some serious level of tasteful nostalgia

I'm watching this on IMAX next Monday!!! Sooooo excited for this!!! ❤️❤️❤️😎😎😎 I FEEL THE NEED....

Excellent commentary. I haven’t seen a movie this good in the theater since Revenant

Loving your video essays! Very well done, and they make me think differently about how films are made.

Fantastic as always! So over CGI. Overly used CGI is such a punch to the gut to someone starting out trying to make videos and films. It makes things seem so unattainable, doing things for real, even if it’s as crazy as flying a jet or as simple as cooking, seems more relatable and attainable to someone that wants to make something.

Great work on the essay! I need to watch Oblivion (and the new Top Gun obviously)

Yes! You said what I was trying to put into words. This movie is better because they didn’t cgi everything. The marvel movies have taken away so much and relies so heavily upon it I’ve come to dislike them, even if they had good story lines and character arcs.

bro xD ! The final few phrases you placed as the absolute ending sentences of your dialog were superbly CHOICE ! Excellent outro to this Video Essay my man ! And good job. GOOD f**ing job.

One thing I noticed about Tom Cruise is I’ve never seen him phone in a role. He’s always top notch.

Finally, a Star Wars film done correctly.

Amazing video, Tom truly is in a league of his own 🐐

Cruise control - born on the fourth of july, magnolia, rainman, collateral, colour of money . Extremely talented.