I felt like this would be a great time to share my thoughts on Top Gun: Maverick because the 4th of July is almost here. This patriotic movie came out a few years ago, and I’ve watched it many times. Of course, it’s not perfect. (No movies are!) But it sends a clear biblical message, which is pretty rare for secular movies.
Lots of Pilots (Plus a Few Problems)
Honestly, I wasn’t a fan of the original Top Gun movie, but Top Gun: Maverick is one of the best movies I’ve ever watched. The quality is very high. The acting, dialogue, music, and story are compelling.
I won’t get into the nitty gritty details (or use military terms I don’t understand). But basically, the movie is about an American military operation. To prepare for this operation, several pilots—including one named Bradley Bradshaw (played by Miles Teller)—receive training from a pilot named Pete Mitchell (played by Tom Cruise). But the movie isn’t really about the American military operation; it’s really about the tension between the two main characters, Pete and Bradley. In short, this tension exists because Pete doesn’t want to let go of the past and Bradley doesn’t want to let go of a grudge.
I definitely think the movie would’ve been better without the obscenities, profanities, and implied-sex scene. But the presence of those elements isn’t surprising because Top Gun: Maverick isn’t a Christian movie. (If you want, you can use a filtering service like VidAngel to watch the movie or simply skip the implied-sex scene.)
But I like Top Gun: Maverick overall because biblical themes are woven throughout the movie. It shows the value of diligence, resilience, and forgiveness. People with big differences (and big egos) have to learn to work together for the operation to succeed. And at the climax, Pete lays down his life for Bradley, even though they’re at odds. Ultimately, this sacrificial act leads to them reconciling with each other. Though the story is fictional, it’s surprisingly poignant—and it points to a true story about the Savior who sacrificed His life to rescue His enemies and reconcile them to God.
The Moral(s) of the Story
We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. (1 John 3:16 NASB1995)
Even though the characters in Top Gun: Maverick aren’t depicted as Christians, they still demonstrate biblical qualities. Scripture defines love as sacrifice—being willing to lay down our lives for others—and that’s exactly what Pete did for Bradley. Honestly, I love that a biblical message is communicated so clearly through a secular movie.
As you celebrate the 4th of July this weekend, you might want to add Top Gun: Maverick to your agenda. Not only does it highlight American patriotism, but it also highlights the importance of overcoming differences and disagreements to defeat evil. And there’s a powerful act of sacrificial love that we can appreciate and even imitate as believers.
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