Top Gun: Maverick should once again utilize 1980s rock music — here's why. Tony Scott's 1986 blockbuster Top Gun had an iconic soundtrack, using songs that were reflective of its time. It remains one of the most popular movie song compilations, reaching 9x Platinum certification, and looking at its tracklist, it makes sense. The selection includes Berlin's "Take My Breath Away" — which won the Oscar and Golden Globe for Best Original Song; it also featured two releases from Kenny Loggins: "Playing with the Boys" and "Danger Zone." While these songs have maintained mainstream popularity over the years, they're mostly associated with the Tom Cruise-led blockbuster, proving the movie's enduring impact on pop culture.
Directed by Joseph Kosinski, the much-anticipated sequel will reunite fans with Pete "Maverick" Mitchell some 34 years after they last saw him in the original movie. This time, he's climbed the Naval ladder (although not by much) and is currently a captain, as well as, a trainer in TOPGUN — the same flying school he and his former RIO, Nick "Goose" Bradshaw (Anthony Edwards) trained in the first film. Top Gun: Maverick will also introduce a string of new pilots such as Bradley "Rooster" Bradsawy (Miles Teller) — son of Goose - and the mysterious Hangman (Glen Powell).
Now that Paramount is revisiting the property after more than three decades, fans are not only anticipative of Top Gun: Maverick's story, but also its soundtrack. As its predecessor used songs from the '80s to capture the time setting of the movie, this could be the same thought process in crafting the soundtrack for the sequel. Assuming that this would be the case, this means that the upcoming blockbuster would use contemporary tracks which doesn't sound the like the best idea.
So, instead of Top Gun: Maverick using newer songs for the film, it should stick to its '80s theme and utilize rock music from three decades ago. Featuring tracks from Top Gun's era echoes Maverick's state of mind in the sequel. One of the big plot points in the movie revolves around the skillful pilot unable to further rise through the ranks — stuck at being captain in the Navy despite his years of service, not to mention his impressive track record. However, it seems like it's Maverick who doesn't want to move higher so he can continue to be able to fly. This is part of his desperate attempt to hold onto his past for whatever reason. It's worth noting that Ed Harris' unnamed admiral also mentioned in the trailer that Maverick refuses to retire, further backing the idea that he doesn't want to move to the next chapter of his career either way. Top Gun: Maverick using songs from the '80s effectively mirrors the character's thought process.
Depending on how Paramount plays it, the budding aviation-franchise could be a sustainable film series for the sequel. Instead of waiting years for a third film, they can come out with an installment every other year. Assuming that this is the case, Top Gun: Maverick could serve as a transitioning movie as the veteral pilot takes more of a mentoring role moving forward and Rooster and/or Hangman become its next poster characters. And, as the final film that will solely focus on Maverick, it also makes sense that it pays homage to his origins in the first Top Gun film.
