- Before even the opening credits, there is a short scene with Tom Cruise speaking to the audience, hoping they enjoy the movie. The fact that the entire film was more or less a passion project and a "love letter to aviation" (as also described by Cruise), and that it was dedicated to Tony Scott (the director of Top Gun, who took his own life in 2012) makes it clear how much effort and passion was put into it to bring it to life. Cruise also insisted on waiting to release the film after the pandemic had subsided enough to allow theaters to re-open, refusing to release it to streaming platforms, so the audience could see the film in its true cinematic form.
- Mav insists on piloting the Darkstar prototype plane so that the rest of the team can keep their jobs. He might be reckless, but he's first and foremost A Father to His Men, and that's even before he becomes the instructor of the TOPGUN graduates.
- Maverick's brief but very heartfelt reunion with a dying Iceman who still encourages him to carry out the TOPGUN candidates' training for the mission, even if he has particular trouble with Goose's son Rooster. Watching only this you wouldn't think there was animosity between them long ago.
- Iceman has protected Maverick from being fired from the Navy all this time despite the troubles he caused. They did truly become friends.
- Iceman is dying of cancer, yet he is not sad or weak. He has lived a full life, and only wants for one last meeting with a lifelong friend. It is Maverick who is lost, in need of guidance, guidance which Iceman provides, even without the full use of his voice. In their last meeting, Iceman helped Maverick see the way forward, and Maverick helped Iceman feel capable again.
- Iceman finds it in himself to speak verbally to Maverick, even though his throat cancer has made it incredibly painful to do so. He cares that much about making sure his friend is okay.Iceman: The Navy needs Maverick. The kid needs Maverick. That's why I fought for you. That's why you're still here.
- And when Iceman asks Maverick "who is the better pilot," it's clear that it is a lighthearted jab at their earlier rivalry. Maverick can only tell Iceman to "not ruin the moment" before breaking out into a chuckle himself and embracing Iceman in a hug.
- According to Bruckheimer, everyone wanted Kilmer back, but Cruise himself was especially insistent. Kilmer said he was "overwhelmed" after the premiere. He also thanked his ex Cher for helping him through his illness.
- Even though their relationship has fallen apart, Maverick still cares deeply for Rooster and tries his best to look out for him, even if Rooster shoots down every attempt at reconciliation. Maverick even tells Penny that he wants to be the father that Rooster never had the chance to get.
- The fact that while Maverick is still struggling with his guilt over Goose's death and Rooster having to grow up without his father, Rooster himself never blames Maverick for it. It's implied that they had a good relationship up until Maverick stopped him from being admitted to the Naval Academy.
- The beach "dogfight" football scene is an incredibly competitive, but also very heartwarming scene. Maverick immediately noted to Cyclone the lack of cohesion between the pilots which was affecting their ability, so he created a whole new game, that the pilots enjoyed so much they "stopped keeping score about an hour ago." As it turns out, nerdy Bob becomes the MVP, and is carried around like it's his Bar Mitzvah. Even Hangman celebrates him.
- This is especially meaningful when considering the scenes prior to the beach football: Maverick and Rooster are in conflict with one another, and Rooster almost gets into a fight with Hangman after the latter triggered his Berserk Button. However, none of the conflicts between the three of them are displayed at all during the beach football. Rooster and Hangman are shown having fun playing the sport together, and at one point Rooster offers his hand to help bring Maverick back to his feet with no ill feelings toward him. Whatever tensions the pilots may have between each other, at least at that moment none of it seems to matter: they're just having fun together as a team.
- When Penny forces Maverick to go out of her house using the window, he promises her that he's never going to leave her ever again. And he keeps that promise.
- And then after he jumps off the roof and lands in front of Amelia, Amelia's only comment is to tell him not to break her mom's heart again.
- Cyclone turning out to be a Jerk with a Heart of Gold and A Father to His Men. He's about to read Mav the riot act for having the pilots skip out on training to play beach football, but then Mav explains that he's trying to foster team spirit, and apparently succeeding, and Cyclone gives an approving nod and walks off. And then, after Mav runs the simulated course himself 15 seconds faster than the plan stipulates, he appoints Mav the strike team leader (rather than one of the other pilots as originally planned) because he's changed his mind and believes that he's the best chance they've got to get everyone home alive.
- While absolutely heartbreaking in context, Maverick and Penny's wordless goodbye on the beach as they hold each other makes it abundantly clear that not only do they truly love each other, they understand each other. She doesn't ask him not to go despite his earlier promise to never leave her again, and he knows she never could ask him to walk away — but he's still going to make sure his girl knows just how much she means to him before he goes, and she's going to make sure he knows that she knows he's still with her despite his duty. And they don't have to speak one single word to say any of it.
- Warlock to Maverick before the final mission:Warlock: Captain Mitchell. You're where you belong. Make us proud.
- Just before the mission starts, Hangman encourages Rooster by telling him 'You give 'em hell!' Especially heartwarming given that 1. Hangman was disappointed that he wasn't picked for the mission, and 2. just a few scenes ago, Hangman had pushed Rooster' relative berserk button and said Rooster wasn't cut out for the mission.
- While Hangman isn't selected for the mission, he is chosen to be on standby. When Maverick is shot down, he doesn't hesitate to offer to launch for search and rescue.
- After Hangman pulls a Big Damn Heroes moment and saves both Maverick and Rooster in their hijacked F-14, he goes on in a spiel about himself being their saviour and also being "very good". But he's clearly doing it as a lighthearted jab after a tense moment. Maverick and Rooster know it too: Maverick gives a fist bump as a clear "thank you" while Rooster just chuckles. Both pilots (and the audience!) would rather hear Hangman brag about this moment than being blown up in a plane.Rooster: Hey, Hangman! You look good.
Hangman: I am good, Rooster. I'm very good. I'll see you back on deck. - Before that, when announcing the mission roster, Maverick made it clear that 'This is a very specific mission. My choices are a reflection of that and nothing more.' Meaning that getting put on reserve didn't mean you were worth any less than the pilots on the active list. Hangman saving Mav and Rooster clearly demonstrates that, as it turns out, Maverick really meant that. Ultimately, Hangman was exactly where Maverick and Rooster needed him to be in their most critical moment.
- The Suicide Mission succeeding without any of Maverick's pilots (or himself) dying or being left behind in enemy territory, and Maverick and Rooster having become Fire-Forged Friends.
- After Maverick and Rooster complete the mission and land on the aircraft carrier, they share a hug, cementing their reconciliation. And then Mav pulls him in for a second hug.
Maverick: Thank you for saving my life.
Rooster: It's what my dad would have done.- At the end, Rooster looks at Maverick's pinned photos at his hangar. Right next to the photo of his father and Maverick, there's now the photo of him and Maverick when they came back alive from the mission.
- While his career is most likely over, Maverick has found some peace at the end, having gotten together with Penny, repaired his relationship with Rooster, and finally being able to put his past to rest... The fact that he managed to become a literal flying ace, against a pair of 5th Gen fighters using a stolen fighter that is 2 Gens behind during his final mission is just the icing on the cake. Even if Maverick gets kicked out of the Navy, due to his historical feats (the last time a US Navy aviator became an ace, in the traditional sense of scoring five air-to-air kills during a career, was 1972) he will have enough options, such as aeronautics or private military companies, or even just writing books or going on lectures that he won't have worry about retirement. He'll also likely get bumped a grade on retirement, meaning he gets a Rear Admiral's pension (about 175k/yr, from a quick read of the appropriate pages, for an O-7 with 40+ years) as well.
- Trailer-only scene revealed, that Maverick's old Tomcat with victory markings was preserved as gate guardian.
- In Japan, the film collaborated with Uma Musume, which has a character named Mayano Top Gun. Named after the racehorse of the same name, she is an aspiring Ace Pilot and has a bomber jacket similar to Maverick's. In an Ascended Fanboy instance, she was chosen as a Japanese advertising pilot for the movie, and as part of the collaboration, she replaced Maverick in an alternate version of one of the movie posters in Japan. Four Uma Musume voice actresses attended the movie's Japanese premiere, which included Tom Cruise prompting her voice actress Mio Hoshitani by asking, "You copy?" to salute and say one of Mayano Top Gun's trademark lines: "I copy!"
- Maverick's entire relationship with Penny. No matter how much she teases him, she is always there with words of compassion and wisdom, and is obviously one of a very few people he is willing to truly open up to. He is also clearly besotted with her, treating her with true respect as well as affection. Every loaded look, every soft touch, and every tender moment speaks to just how deeply they love each other.
