January 02nd, 2023

With the massive success of Top Gun:Maverick, it's clear that movie studios should take note of the power of nostalgia and bringing back beloved franchises but in a very specific way of melding the past with a bit of regret and realism with a foundation for the inevitable future without the franchise’s stars of yesterday. The combination of a beloved property with a talented cast and crew resulted in a critically acclaimed and financially successful film but what was different with this one? There’s no denying people wanted to see Tom Cruise as Maverick one more time but there was an in-theatre experience considered, presented with one foot in nostalgia and the other in a heightened, simple reality. As we look to the future of the industry, it's important to remember the value of honoring the past and giving the audience a good time on the other end of the product, not just consumers looking for the next drip of an obligation - utility-like movie. We all want more.