Warning: SPOILERSbelow forTop Gun: Maverick!
Top Gun: Maverickhandles the legacy aspects of the original movie well, particularly the relationship between Maverick and Iceman, which acts as a fitting tribute to ValKilmer. Tom Cruise returns as Captain Pete "Maverick" Mitchell as the lead member of thecast for Top Gun: Maverick. Cruise is joined bya host of new pilots, with Miles Teller playingLieutenant Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw, the son of Maverick'sold wingman, Goose. Val Kilmer also returns in a small role asTom "Iceman" Kazansky, who has become afour-star admiral in the Navy sinceTop Gun.
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The sequel toTop Gunfeatures plenty of callbacks to the 1986 original movie but can also be enjoyed by newcomers to the franchise. Top Gun:Maverick centers around Tom Cruise's Captain Mitchellpreparingthe U.S. Navy's best young fighter pilots for a nearly impossible mission. Most of the movie's emotional weight stems from the relationship between Maverick and Rooster, but Iceman's appearance isMaverick'smost poignant moment.
Related:Does Top Gun: Maverick Have An After Credits Scene?
Before its release, there were reasonable concerns that the movie would not live up to the originalfilm becauseTop Gun Maverickwas delayed for so long. Despite that, the early reception toTop Gun: Maverickfrom critics and general audiences alike has been overwhelmingly positive.Maverickhas been praised for successfullyintroducing several compelling new characters,its surprisinglyheartfeltscript, and, of course, the adrenaline-fueledaerobatic stunts. As well as that,Maverickis an excellent legacy sequel because ofthe small but important role that Val Kilmer's Iceman plays.
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Iceman's Top Gun: Maverick Scene Is One Of The Sequel's Best
During the first act of Top Gun: Maverick, Iceman has no screen time but his presence is still felt. The admiral's interactions are either through text messages with Captain Mitchellor with lower-ranking Navy members enforcing his orders. Iceman is the only reason that Maverick is invited back to TOPGUN, so it is crucialthat he is in the film. It also makes sense that Iceman isn't seenthat frequently given he is one of the most important Navy officers, butsome audiences may have feared thathe might not show up givenVal Kilmerdoesn't appear in theMavericktrailersin person.
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Eventually,Admiral Kazansky does appear on-screen whenCaptain Mitchellvisits his house in the most emotional scene ofTop Gun: Maverick. Iceman is the only high-ranking officerwho has Maverick's back, with Ed Harris' Rear Admiral Chester "Hammer" Cain and other Navycommanders against Maverick because they think he's a reckless flyer.The conversation between the two veterans plays off the dynamic that Iceman is Maverick's boss, but actually, therelationship between the lifelong friends is what really matters between them.
The conversation is an important cathartic moment for Maverick, who, at that point, is struggling to deal with the recruits, particularly the disinterested Rooster. Iceman'spart in Top Gun: Maverickis differentfrom hisantagonistic role in thecult classicTop Gun, but crucialbecause he gives Maverick thereassurance and confidence he needs to believe thathe is the only person who can teach the young pilots how to flythe mission.What also makes the scene great is that despite his health, Iceman can't help but joke about who the better pilot is between the two, referencing their rivalry from the1986 movie. Iceman's death soon after theirreunion is naturally a sad moment,and without Val Kilmer's performance,Maverickwould have lost a big part of its emotional weight.
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Related:Does Tom Cruise Fly The Plane In Top Gun 2?
How Top Gun 2's Iceman Scene Reflects Val Kilmer's Real Life
In 2015, Val Kilmerwas diagnosed with throat cancer and consequently underwent multiple operations on his trachea. The procedures limitedKilmer's ability to talk whichexplains why Iceman doesn't talk much inTop Gun2.For most ofIceman's scene in Top Gun: Maverickhe communicates by typing onto a computer screen. In real life, Val Kilmer is able to talkusing an artificial voice box, but this is notused inMaverick, although he does speak one line to Captain Mitchell before he goes.In 2021, Kilmer released a documentary about his life and career titledVal, whichalso showshow he has adapted to life since recovering from cancer.
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Why Iceman Dies In Top Gun: Maverick
The death of Iceman is a pivotal moment inTop Gun: Maverick. Jon Hamm's "Cyclone," the commander of Naval Air Forces, is openly against Maverick teaching his young pilots how to fly the mission because Tom Cruise's character is a constant rule breaker. The only reason Maverick had the jobwas because Iceman kept sticking his neck out behind the scenes to keep him there. Part of the reasonwhyTop Gun: Maverickreviews are so positiveis Maverick fall from grace and redemption arc. Losing his last ally means that he has a fall, which he then rises up from.
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Without Iceman's death, Top Gun: Maverick would not have had the same inspirational sequence of Maverick flying the practice route in record time to inspire Rooster, Phoenix, and the rest of the crew. It also led to a change of heart in Cyclone's mind because as well asbringing Maverickback in, he was also promoted to leader of the mission, rather than just the instructor. Although Maverick would have preferred to have his wingman by his side, Iceman's death is a necessary step tomake everyone else understand and realize Maverick's greatness.
Why Iceman's Death In Top Gun 2 Is A Fitting Sendoff For Him
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Maverick, which will be available to stream following its cinematic release,is a fitting tribute to Val Kilmer because it satisfyingly concludes the story of the character he is most famous for playing. Kilmer hasstarred in a long list of high-profile movies, including Tim Burton'sBatman Forever, Ron Howard'sWillow, andMichael Mann'sHeat, but Iceman willforever be the character for which most remember him. His appearance in Top Gun: Maverickwas cleverly written and the parallels toKilmer's real life help bring his Hollywood career full circle in an elegant and respectful way.
Related:Top Gun 2's Original Movie Differences Show How Tom Cruise Has Changed
Val Kilmer does not have any upcoming projects planned, but that doesn't mean he is retiring just yet. In 2021, as well as releasingVal, Kilmer also starred inThe Birthday Cakealongside Ewan McGregor, which suggests his desire to continue acting is still there. But ifTop Gun: Maverick is Val Kilmer's last movie then it is a fitting way to end a distinguished career.
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