Throwing Copper

Will roughly hit $300 million today/overnight. This is gonna be an even bigger hit than was initially expected.

Only. 33 percent drop from opening weekend

GoldenJCJ

I like the song too. I also appreciated incorporating it into the score throughout the movie and it’s playing on the jukebox in the background when Maverick first walks into Penny’s bar.

Michael Corvin

Cheesy pop song in Top Gun worked because it was a different time. Cheesy pop song to end this movie, just didn't work for me. If they were going that route they should have gone all the way and pulled in an actual 80s band.

redrum

Great flick.

Hit so many feels. Wife was non stop crying.

DJariya

This will lose it's premium screens on Thursday when Jurassic World Dominion opens.

So if you haven't seen it yet on a premium format and are interested, you better hurry.

clckworang

I never said rooster is a synonym for penis. That's something you came up with. I said "a close synonym for rooster is also another term for male genitalia." How is that incorrect?

IDrinkMolson

Saw it Saturday opening weekend on a Dolby large screen.
Loved it. I was a big fan of the first one too. But this was great.

So many kicks in the feels. The callbacks were well done.
After Mav was fired from Top Gun, and he stole the plane and ran the course in lower time ::cry::
The F-14 scenes!

As my wife and I were walking back to the car gushing about it, I told her, I think I'm going to want to go see it again in the IMAX. And she said, 'when are you going I want to see it again too.'
So, we saw it again yesterday on the IMAX. She says it's her favorite movie over Dirty Dancing now.
And it holds up, the same emotions got me again.
I wish we had a 4DX screen around. Closest one is over an hour away.

Jennifer looked even more beautiful than normal. Not sure if was the outdoor lighting, or she had a tan or what.

I debated if I should "give" this a 5, but after 2nd viewing I don't know what else it could be.

Oscar worthy? Best pic? Cruise lead? Director? Cinematography?

clckworang

Nothing in my critique complained about my theatrical experience. The actual theatrical experience was great. I never said we had a crummy drive-in. It's quite the contrary. It's everyone else that said it had to be that. I mentioned to my friend that everyone here was saying we would have liked the movie more if we had seen it on a different screen. She laughed and agreed with me that they probably don't realize how good it actually is at our drive-in.

I'm sure one's experience will likely depend on the drive-in itself and the car one brings. First, I know a lot of you have a hard-on for IMAX. That's great, but I can tell you right now that there is none in my area. So, we're talking normal sized screens.

The screen at our drive-in is no IMAX, but it's plenty big, especially if you arrive early enough that you can find a good place to park. If you're near the front or middle of the place, it's very similar proportionally to watching in a movie theater. In fact, like the first couple of rows at a theater, the first couple of rows of parking are a little too close to the screen. You'd need to really put your seat back. But I totally agree that if you were parked in the back, it would be a much poorer experience. As for the windshield, well, you clean it before you go. If you have a nice clean windshield, then you really don't think about it; it's just clear glass. We've always been very pleased with the presentation, which is why we've continued to go back.

As far as audio goes, the theater uses an FM frequency, so it comes down to how your car speakers are - unless you bring another device, which some people do, especially if they're going to sit outside. If you have a decent sound system, you can still get some rumble, but you can obviously control the audio more yourself. I guess it's more similar to watching at home where you can have it a volume you are comfortable with. I tend to keep it fairly loud, but it's nice to be able to adjust.

As far as other reasons, there are quite a few, some of which might mean more to some than others. Admission is per vehicle, so it's $10 for a double feature, both new movies though the second film has usually been out for a few weeks. That's pretty tough to beat. You're allowed to bring outside food in with you, so you can pick up dinner beforehand along with whatever snacks you want. I have trays, so it's really easy to set up and get comfortable to eat. There's a concessions stand there as well should you need one. Bring a cooler for drinks if you want. Their official rule is alcohol is prohibited, but as long as you are respectful, there's not an issue if you do bring some in. My friends and I smoke, so it's nice to be able to do that in the car while we watch a movie, similar to what we'd do at my place.

A lot of the things that I don't like about the traditional movie theater experience can also be eliminated or at least reduced. We put window screens along the passenger windows and back glass, so you're basically able to put blinders all around you. You don't have to worry about people talking next to you or people getting to the theater late. You don't have to notice the person checking their phone during the movie. You can better focus on the movie rather than outside variables. Along those lines, I'm always freezing in theater. This way, I use my AC and am able to be comfortable, and this has minimal impact on my car's range. Speaking of comfort, my car seats are plenty comfortable and very adjustable. Of course, this isn't even addressing ability to social distance. You're able to create your own bubble.

Many of us soured on the theater experience well before the pandemic for a number of reasons, some of which I already mentioned. The drive-in has actually made me excited to go to the theater again. I've actually gotten a lot more out of my screenings there than I did at the regular theater. I've been pleasantly surprised at the diversity. Plenty of blockbuster types but also ones like Licorice Pizza and Last Night in Soho I have zero complaints about the quality of the presentation, but as I said, that's really contingent on planning ahead to get there in time for a good space, something we've always done.

d2cheer

Yes to all of the above.

Double_Oh_7

I disagree about not needing Meg Ryan. I think the conflict between Rooster blaming Maverick for his father's death, and his mother who does not, would have been interesting.

Draven

Sorry, I must have misunderstood. But that's an even bigger leap - he was named "Rooster" because his dad was named "Goose". Trying to tie that to somehow meaning "cock" instead is...well, I guess it's something you can think.

I am thoroughly enjoying the idea that a smoke-filled car with sound piped in through an FM broadcast at a drive-in is somehow comparable to a premium screen. And you want to talk about distractions? Whenever I'm at our local drive-in, at some point someone drives out or turns their headlights on or leans on the horn accidentally. It's distraction-city.

You can play this "the movie should work wherever" game but you understand that there's a difference between say watching a movie on your phone versus watching it on an IMAX screen, right? The IMAX would be a completely different experience, yes? And if you agree with that, then you understand how presentation CAN make a big difference, even if the movie itself is exactly the same. Otherwise watching it on your phone would be the same experience as watching it in a booming digital auditorium.

clckworang

I understand the main reasoning for the name. Coincidentally, the name Goose itself can have other meanings. It's not much of a stretch to get to cock from rooster. It's literally a synonym for rooster, which was my whole point. If you think it's a leap, well, I don't care, but very often character names can have double meanings.

I'm sorry again that you have a shitty drive-in. I've actually never heard someone honk their horn. Maybe it's because the volume is up in my car. You also won't see other lights if you have your windows blocked. Why are you so focused on pointing out all the possible distractions here while ignoring the many more distractions when sitting around a roomful of people in very close proximity at a theater? There are people getting up, moving around, talking, checking their phones. I quit seeing the big blockbusters at a theater because I don't enjoy that experience. You can keep telling me how much better that experience is, but I don't agree with you.

I can accept that the movie would be much bigger on an IMAX screen. It might have better detail. I've never enjoyed the audio experience at movie theaters, always thought aspect was way overrated, so that doesn't do anything for me. But I thought the movie was filmed well and looked good. I never said otherwise. What you're saying, though, is that if the movie was really big and loud, I would be able to excuse all of the other flaws. I don't think that's true. I still would have been rolling my eyes at many of the lines and events.

A friend recommended a movie podcast to me. I've been listening to it the last couple of weeks. The people on there loved this movie, so I have listened to see if they saw something I didn't. They brought up a lot of things, many of which I agreed with, but we came to different conclusions. I think the things they said about the script were what stuck in my mind the most. They said the script was almost like a long series of dad jokes and that it was so hokey but that it totally worked for them. I agreed, but it didn't work for me. I don't think that the dialogue thundering louder in my ear would make me hear it any different. I don't think seeing the escape scene bigger or the last second rescue by Hangman in more detail would make me not roll my eyes at it. I guess if I tried to think about this as more of a roller coaster than a movie maybe I'd feel different.

Lycanfyre

Miles teller is the one that picked out his call sign. They all picked out their own call sign. It’s has nothing to do with cocks or homosexuality unless you choose it to be and well this is your month to be proud of that I guess

clckworang

So he picked a call sign that could have other meanings, even if unintentionally. What's your point? Once it becomes part of a greater whole, it's all up for interpretation.

d2cheer

So it appears we have another Spottedfeather...

Draven

Our drive-in is fine. But these are people in their cars, many there to enjoying grilling and sitting in lawn chairs. Some headlights come on, some horns honk, the kids are playing over in the park. It's SUPPOSED to be like that. When we go to the drive-in it's usually to see something we've already seen and have a cheap night out gorging ourselves on snacks we brought and cheap concessions. I LOVE the drive-in, but it's not where I would go to see something I cared about.

And I agree with you about the distractions, which is why I only go to our local Alamo Drafthouse where all of that is eliminated. And the sound and screen kicks ass too - so my experience there is perfect.

If you don't think a movie that's about fighter jets would greatly benefit from a big and loud experience, well...again, I guess you can think that.

The movie was cliched but that's okay. For example, OF COURSE Hangman is going to come in at the end - he's the best pilot in the program and he hasn't gotten to do anything in the final fight. They take out two of the enemy fighters but then a third shows up and they are out of ideas. It's literally the only solution to the problem. Why roll your eyes at something that was telegraphed from a mile away? It's like the team making the winning shot at the buzzer for a feel-good sports movie. You'd be disappointed if it DIDN'T happen.

Though I will say to the movie's credit, there was a throwaway line about the F14 Tomcats being at the base too - I never thought for a second they'd end up in one but I was goddamn thrilled that they did. It's such a cool plane. So good job to the writers for not making that a more obvious outcome.

DJariya

There is a lawsuit that's in the news about Top Gun. You will need to read the article to understand the full context. It involves an obscure magazine article from the 80s that the original movie was based on and that the family of the person who was written about in the article are filing the suit and allege the licensing has expired. They allege Paramount didn't renew the license.

Twitter

RichC2

So it comes down to if the movie was complete before early 2020 or not.

clckworang

Again, your experience sounds much different than mine. Grills aren't allowed, and kids aren't allowed to play in the very narrow bit of grass in front of the screen. There's always an employee stationed there to prevent it. The experience there is meant to be more about the movie. Maybe that comes with being a first-run theater. I can respect that it's not somewhere YOU would go to see something you care about; I guess I don't understand how you can't respect that the experience can be very different other places or for other people.

And if my movie complaints were that the scenes with the jets in the air weren't immersive enough or something, then maybe your obsession with the sound would have more validity. I thought those scenes were filmed fine and effective for the most part. It's most of the other stuff. I snickered with the we're taking it to mach 10 (made me think of Spinal Tap), and then there were a bunch of clich้ scenes tied together, whether it be the pushup punishment, literally throwing out the rulebook, the quirky bar with quirky rules that lead to Maverick getting kicked out. Don't forget the bar is coincidentally owned by his ex. I brought up the Hangman save as one of many moments that felt either clich้ or overly telegraphed. You say it yourself: the movie is clich้d. The difference is you concluded it was OK, and I couldn't stop rolling my eyes about it. Maybe it's also because it falls a bit victim to the same problem I had with A Force Awakens in that at times it felt like too much of a copy. I don't know. Sometimes a movie works for you, and sometimes it doesn't.

DJariya

I think this discussion has gone around in circles. Clockwork Orange gave it a shot and it didn’t really work for him. And his preferred theatrical experience is the drive in. At least he’s going to the movies and not one of those who would rather sit on their couch and stream all the time. Even though this movie is pretty much universally loved, not everyone is going to like it and he is one of them. No point in trying to convince him otherwise.

Draven

I'm more hung-up on this idea that the movie should stand alone and that some don't benefit from premium formats. Of course movies benefit from a big picture and booming sound. That's the whole point of some movies.

And I've never been to a drive-in that wasn't intended to be a family hangout area so I'm surprised there is one that is apparently intended for first-run movies and a fantastic theatrical experience. It's like saying the McDonald's near you has wait service and a wine selection - I'm going to have follow-up questions.

SmackDaddy

We now interrupt this really interesting debate to report that we really enjoyed the heck out of the film this afternoon. Nice callbacks and the Kilmer scene was handled very well, I avoided all spoilers when it came to that. While the ending was a bit too hokey with them stealing the F14, it was really the only hiccup with the movie that I had. Loved the practical effects, soundtrack/score and the supporting cast as well. Yeah, you cold see things coming a mile away, but it didn't really matter.

Why So Blu?

In this we agree. Why even bother getting into the BD/4K hobby to begin with? A "good" movie should be able to stand on its own, even on a shitty 13" CRT television and its built-in speakers.

Artman

2nd time around was just as much fun as the first. It strikes the right cord with bringing in the elements everyone loved about the first film, while also bringing it all convincingly into our present time. A total success all around.

Ash Ketchum

That's exactly how I experienced so many Hollywood classics for the first time.

Maybe not quite with a family like this, but you get the idea: