This week I went to Top Gun: Maverick  

I’m almost embarrassed to say but for the first time in many, many years I found myself whooping – yes, out loud – with delight at a scene or two in this long-awaited sequel.  

The film is such good fun – a classic old school blockbuster presented in a modern, thrilling way. It's filled with nostalgia, humour, heart, stunning air acrobatics and Tom Cruise.  

But these aren’t the only reasons for my spontaneous outburst. It was mostly prompted by the fact I was sitting in the dark with a bunch of like-minded people, watching this blockbuster unfold in the one and only place it belongs – the movie theatre.  

I’m not a massive Tom Cruise fan, maybe there have been a few too many smug, arrogant characters, maybe it’s the heavily controlled public persona, but I tell you what, I’ve got a heck of respect for the man.  

Not only has he had more hits than any other actor of his generation, and his films have constantly performed at the box office, but he’s determined to get movie theatres back on their feet.  

Over the last couple of years, as streaming services took off, the movie cinema business was decimated here in New Zealand due to lockdowns and the red traffic light system, and globally.  

Films such as No Time To Die, Dune and Venom: Let There Be Carnage were a welcome relief to cinemas in December last year, however, cinemas often only get a limited time frame to exclusively play these crowd-pleasers before they’re available to rent elsewhere.  

Hollywood studios are expected to release roughly 108 films theatrically this year – which is a 22% drop from 2019. Total box office numbers are still down around the world, and here in New Zealand, it’s anticipated it will take five years for the industry to fully recover.  

With the Top Gun sequel, Tom Cruise and powerhouse producer Jerry Bruckheimer made a big call – they decided to let this film sit on the shelves for a couple of years, rather than release it on Paramount’s streaming service or to a limited number of cinemas.  

This has not been a total surprise; Tom Cruise is one of the last global superstars who still only makes films for theatres – he hasn’t been tempted by streaming services or TV. But it was still a risky move. Would the wait dent the hype? But turns out Tom Cruise was right. He made a film for the big screen – which deserves to be seen on the big screen – and we should all be thankful he stuck to his guns.  

But more importantly, this approach will be appreciated by theatres all over the world. Adults seem to be the most hesitant to get back into theatres, unlike the youngies who have happily flocked to various superhero movies, and it’s thought that Top Gun: Maverick will be the film that gets Dads back into the theatres. I tell you what, it will get a few Mums in there too.  

So good on Cruise and Bruckheimer for doing their bit to help get the cinema industry get back on its feet, and for making a truly splendid slice of entertainment. 

AVClub.com describes Tom Cruise’s turn in the original Top Gun as “the perfect star for the perfect movie at the perfect moment.”  

36 years later, the same could be said again.