Spiderman got me back in the theater, and I started to make a habit of using my day off to just go watch a few every couple weeks. Maverick was the primary movie that day, and I just felt absolutely nothing. Bummed me out. Guess I'm being harsh. It delivered on what it promised: kewl jets pew pew. That I enjoyed actually.
All of the weaknesses you pointed out were strengths to me. Now more than ever, it was refreshing to kick back and watch a movie just being a movie with cool stunts, little CGI, earnest characters, and none of that annoying post-modern snark, grit, or cynicism you see in everything else these days.
Agreed on the lack of CGI. I'm a ME doing basic stuff, so I actually really appreciate seeing those planes. That with the coaster fan idea gave me an even greater appreciation.
That said, they could have delivered more in the interim. I'm not going to belittle the basic popcorn movie idea too much, but I'm not always in the mood for that particularly if I had to leave the house.
Simpler times appeals don't work too well with me. Old enough to feel nostalgia, but maybe not the more reverent version you might feel and "an odie but a goodie" was a pretty big theme. Sure, movies are escapism. There's just so much else they could have done.
My favorite movie this year has been Everything Everywhere All at Once. Very different goals for each movie, but there's a reason I preferred it.
