Summary
Former actor Robert Iler believes Top Gun: Maverick ruined the movie industry, comparing it to eating McDonald's and calling it "garbage."
Despite Iler's criticism, Top Gun: Maverick's financial success does not guarantee its favorable memory in the future due to its lack of originality. However, the film's accomplishments as a legacy sequel, along with its emphasis on enhancing Tom Cruise's character, remain noteworthy. The potential release of Top Gun 3 could be attributed to the film's achievements.
Former actor and star of The Sopranos, Robert Iler, has shared his thoughts on Top Gun: Maverick, expressing his belief that the film has had a negative impact on the movie industry. As a sequel to the 1986 film Top Gun, the new installment features Tom Cruise reprising his role as Maverick, as he trains a new generation of Navy aviators. Top Gun: Maverick has received glowing reviews and even won the Best Sound award at the 95th Academy Awards, where it was also nominated for Best Picture.
Recently, YMH Clips uploaded a podcast segment where Iler openly expresses his unfavorable opinion on the overwhelming box office success of Top Gun: Maverick.
Commencing at the 2:14 mark, his critique centers around his belief that the film will not be nostalgically revered in the coming years, drawing a comparison between watching the movie and consuming McDonald's. Take a look at Iler's insights regarding the film below:
Top Gun, in my opinion, had a detrimental impact on the entire movie industry. It had a lasting negative effect, initially captivating audiences and giving the impression of a cinematic breakthrough, comparable to the instant gratification of consuming fast food. However, after a few years, viewers will realize the dissatisfaction caused by the abundance of low-quality films.
90 Day Fiancé is absolutely amazing. Unlike films vying for prestigious awards, 90 Day Fiancé unabashedly embraces its status as a guilty pleasure TV show. It doesn't pretend to be anything other than what it is.
[It frustrates me] when people hyped up a movie, claiming it was Oscar-worthy, only for me to eagerly watch it and discover it was just a bunch of guys aimlessly bantering. There was no substance or surprise factor to make it worth my time. Even if you and I were tasked with writing Top Gun 2, it would likely lack originality. The entire movie failed to captivate or impress, leaving me wondering if there was anything remotely interesting about it at all.
Why Top Gun: Maverick Was A Success
This is my perspective on the matter: Looking ahead five years, individuals will likely exclaim, "Oh my God, we declared this should be an exceptional film as we emerged from the haze of the COVID pandemic.... It's permissible [if the movie brings joy to you], but to compare it to an Oscar-winning masterpiece like [The] Godfather? It's disgraceful! It has severely damaged the entire film industry. That's it. I have lost interest in watching movies. Top Gun has made me despise the medium. Poor quality. Utterly disappointing.
The initial hour of the film garnered criticism from Iler, who particularly pointed out that the audience's engagement mainly stemmed from the recognition of Cruise as the lead actor. Throughout the segment, he engages in a heated debate with the host and producer regarding the film's overall quality, highlighting the fact that his opinion diverges significantly from the majority. This contrast is further emphasized by the movie's remarkable financial success, ultimately amassing a colossal $1.496 billion at the box office.
Although the former actor may have differing opinions, the accomplishments of Top Gun: Maverick as a legacy sequel remain noteworthy. The film centers around Maverick coming to terms with Goose's demise from the previous movie, while simultaneously mentoring Goose's son, Rooster, for a perilous mission. By delving deeper into Cruise's character, the movie sheds light on an unexplored aspect of the franchise that was unseen in the original film.
Despite Iler having his own complaints about the movie, it is highly probable that a Top Gun 3 will be released in the future after the success of Top Gun: Maverick. With the film being fairly recent, having been released only 18 months ago, it is uncertain what impact it will have on upcoming film projects. Nevertheless, it is expected that the movie will shape the approach towards creating legacy sequels for various franchises if they are pursued.