Another thought I had.
Cruise's reemergence as Pete Mitchell, call sign Maverick, was incredibly similar to Ford's reprisal of the legendary Han Solo.
Maverick is about 35 years after the events of the original Top Gun. The Force Awakens about 32 years after Return of the Jedi. Both actors masterfully re-created these characters at a later stage in life. They still had some swagger, they are "good once as I ever was", but the age, wisdom, and learned humility was just done so well in both examples. For me that what made both so great (not that I am a fan of TFA in general but Ford carried that movie IMO).
The other thing that is does so well and hits home for as a guy rapidly approaching 50, is the interaction with younger people. I can very much relate. Decent men want to pass down some wisdom and some life lessons and help them succeed and find happiness. I loved that about both Maverick and Solo in both films.
Cruise's reemergence as Pete Mitchell, call sign Maverick, was incredibly similar to Ford's reprisal of the legendary Han Solo.
Maverick is about 35 years after the events of the original Top Gun. The Force Awakens about 32 years after Return of the Jedi. Both actors masterfully re-created these characters at a later stage in life. They still had some swagger, they are "good once as I ever was", but the age, wisdom, and learned humility was just done so well in both examples. For me that what made both so great (not that I am a fan of TFA in general but Ford carried that movie IMO).
The other thing that is does so well and hits home for as a guy rapidly approaching 50, is the interaction with younger people. I can very much relate. Decent men want to pass down some wisdom and some life lessons and help them succeed and find happiness. I loved that about both Maverick and Solo in both films.