This essay is one that I wrote for a script analysis class I am currently taking. The assignment was to write about what we believed to be the greatest story ever told and explain why we love it. We also had to tie in Aristotle's poetics and explain which ones the story prioritizes.
Enjoy!
The continuous story told through the two scripts Top Gun (1986) and Top Gun: Maverick (2022) is the greatest story ever told. This story has become an iconic American classic, and for good reason. The overarching themes of bravery, relationships, and humanity tell a story that moves the audience, being a means of catharsis for its viewers. Viewers follow the main character, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise), through his experiences in the Navy. With him, the audience experiences fear, loss, and in the midst of that, hope. This story brings its consumers full circle as they experience the highs and lows of the Navy.
In the 1986 script for Top Gun, we are introduced to a handful of Navy pilots, two of which are established as main characters in the opening scene: Pete “Maverick” Mitchell and Nick “Goose” Bradshaw. During the opening scene, we understand the dynamic between the two. Maverick is a Luitenant flight officer. He is a quick-witted, cocky, risk-taking pilot, but he will do whatever is in his power to help out his fellow pilots. Goose is his Radar Intercept Officer (or RIO). He is more level-headed than Maverick, but is still fun and can keep up with Maverick’s jokes. Goose is also married and has a child named Bradley.
Maverick and Goose are not only partners but close friends. They are sent to the Top Gun Naval Fighter Weapons School. Their training begins, and it is clear that they are training with the best of the best. As they are flying in the school, tragedy strikes. During an intense flying and fighting scene, Goose dies. As the script goes on, we see how much this death affected Maverick. The script describes him this way in the hospital afterward: “He is emotionless. His eyes are flat and absolutely without expression.” But as the script progresses, others help him realize that Goose’s death was not his fault, and his life continues to go on. During one of the final flight scenes, he pulls through and says the iconic line, “talk to me Goose” as he’s flying. He continues flying and all ends well for Maverick.
This brings us to the sequel to this film, Top Gun: Maverick. In this script, Maverick is training graduates of Top Gun for a specific and nearly impossible mission. One of these graduates is Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw, Goose’s son. It is revealed that Maverick pulled Rooster’s papers from the Naval Academy, setting his career back by many years. Maverick does this to protect Rooster from the fate his father met, but Rooster still resents Maverick for it. This tension between them builds throughout the script until the pilots fly the mission. Maverick chooses Rooster as his wingman and they both end up nearly losing their lives. Maverick ends up trying to sacrifice himself to save Rooster, crashing his plane, but Rooster also sacrifices himself to save Maverick, crashing his plane as well. They both survive these crashes though, and then are left to figure out a way back to the aircraft carrier. They end up stealing a plane from the enemy and flying it back to sea. When they make it back, Rooster and Maverick share a hug and a few kind words that make it clear to the audience that Rooster has forgiven Maverick, and they are now friends.
Together, these two scripts prioritize Aristotle’s element of Plot, and more specifically the continuation of the plot between both movies. Many scenes are written almost identically from the first movie compared to the second, and these scenes continue the plot. For example, in the first film Top Gun, Maverick does some dangerous things in an airplane that could have had him thrown out of the Navy, but instead he is sent to Top Gun to train. In the second film Top Gun: Maverick, Maverick once again does dangerous things in an airplane that could have had him thrown out of the Navy and fired as a trial pilot, but instead he is sent back to Top Gun, this time as an instructor for other pilots. This parallel shows how much he has grown as a pilot and as a person, but also shows how he is still a little irresponsible, and excited by taking risks. This is a means of catharsis for the viewers and especially fans of the franchise, and furthers the plot between both movies.
This script prioritizes the element of Theme. A couple of main themes in the script are bravery and sacrifice. We see Maverick many times sacrificing his career or his life in an attempt to save someone else. Rooster also does this in the second film. These scripts give us a glimpse into the life of a Navy pilot and the sacrifices they and their families make. Along with the themes of sacrifice, the scripts demonstrate the themes of relationships and love. Maverick shows us again and again the sacrifices he’s willing to make for the people he cares about. He risks his life for Rooster and other pilots in both scripts. The strength of these thoughts show that the theme is a priority for this script.
Lastly, the element of Spectacle is prioritized in both scripts. The intense flying scenes are described in the scripts in such vivid detail that readers just imagine the scene in their head. This translates very well to the screen, and shows that with the planes and visual effects, the story is more intense and real. For example, the scene leading up to the climax is described as follows:
“They shoot into an ever-compressing canyon, hauling ass over the broken landscape, snowy trees flashing just beneath... Training times ten. The valley walls are tight, the high speed and sharp turns resulting in higher Gs. The physical pressure on the team alone is intense, requiring every ounce of concentration, skill and endurance. Each of the pilots contends with the intensity in their own way. Training was nothing compared to this. They are all feeling it - Rooster most of all.”
This description makes the audience feel the pressure that the characters are feeling in these moments leading up to the highly anticipated nearly impossible mission. The visual of watching the planes “haul ass” and the high valley walls make this scene much more intense. This scene and many others show how the element of spectacle is displayed throughout the film.
I think the continuation of Top Gun and Top Gun: Maverick is the greatest story ever told because of the way the two movies add to each other so well. The main plot of Maverick dealing with the loss of Goose, and being forced to revisit this loss with Rooster is devastating and touching. The subplot of Iceman and Maverick’s rivalry in the first script, and later their friendship in the second script and the death of Iceman further show the themes of comradery and what we can accomplish when we learn to get along with our enemies. The romantic aspects of both movies enhance the story and make it even more enticing and exciting to consumers. The way the visuals are described in the script, and then the way they are translated on screen bring more intensity to the story. For all of these reasons, and more, Top Gun and Top Gun: Maverick is, collectively, the greatest story ever told.
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