Mise en scène is a filmmaking concept, referring to the arrangement of visual elements within a shot or scene. It includes set design, lighting, costume, makeup, props, and the positioning and movement of actors within the frame. Mise en scène is crucial to create the overall look, feel, and atmosphere of a film, influencing how viewers interpret and engage with the story. In the context of Hollywood action films like “Top Gun: Maverick” (2022), mise en scène is used to enhance the spectacle, intensity, and emotional impact of action sequences.
“Top Gun: Maverick”, directed by Joseph Kosinski, edited by Eddie Hamilton, and starring Tom Cruise, earned nearly $1.5 billion at the box office (IMDbPro 2022). The sequel to the iconic 1986 film “Top Gun”, follows Pete “Maverick” Mitchell: a skilled pilot navigating the challenges of a rapidly evolving aviation landscape and mentoring future pilots.
Mise en scène is used to immerse viewers in the high-stakes world of naval aviation and to heighten the adrenaline-pumping action sequences. This is true during the film’s final battle when Maverick and Rooster defeat two fifth-generation fighter jets. The elaborate sets, including the cockpits, are crafted with precision to create a realistic, immersive environment. The pilots’ costumes and makeup enhance the authenticity of military representation and establish their characters’ identities. Next, practical effects make every aerial maneuver feel real. Lastly, dynamic lighting techniques are used in aerial sequences to convey the speed, danger, and excitement of the action. This interplay of light and shadow adds depth and visual interest. Overall, this attention to detail heightens the drama and realism of the intense action sequence, making it a visually captivating and emotionally impactful cinematic experience.
Editor, Eddie Hamilton, worked through over 813 hours of raw footage to create the finished cut of “Top Gun: Maverick” (Tham 2022). He says that the most difficult sequence to cut was the final battle scene (Salisbury 2023). The entire scene took him three months to finish editing (Salisbury 2023). Hamilton’s work uses various types of cuts and shots. In a 1-minute segment of the final mission scene, there were approximately 60 cuts. The viewer’s point-of-view changes repeatedly within this minute but the editing and camera work is fairly seamless. This shows the dynamic and fast-paced editing style, fitting the adrenaline-fueled nature of the film’s action sequences. There are simple standard cuts between actions. Aerial shots capture the sky’s vastness and jet speed, emphasizing the battle’s high stakes and pilots’ skill. Close-up shots focus on the pilots in the cockpit, highlighting their facial expressions and decision-making. Cross-cutting provides a comprehensive view of the final battle. These cuts between Maverick, Rooster, and the enemy pilots create tension and build suspense while showcasing the coordination and teamwork of the mission. Collectively, the combination of standard cuts, aerial shots, close-ups, and cross-cutting in this scene immerses the audience in the action, conveying the thrill, danger, and drama of aerial combat.
Mise en scène can be used to explore complex social issues like race, class, gender, and sexuality (Murphy 2015). It also can offer insights into gender representations in Hollywood action films (Murphy 2015). Masculinity is a central theme in “Top Gun: Maverick” as it includes a traditional notion of heroism, camaraderie, and competitiveness associated with male characters in military contexts. This is a common trend among 1980s and 90s action films (including the original “Top Gun”); they had an “exaggeratedly upbeat and macho style” (Murphy 2015). This style includes intense rivalry among characters, loud shouting by men in uniforms, enthusiastic gestures like high-fiving, and a generally hypermasculine atmosphere as examined through the beach volleyball and flight training sequences in “Top Gun” (Murphy 2015).
Next, the impact of “Top Gun: Maverick” on viewers extends beyond the cinematic experience. The action film genre depicts violence as essential to masculinity, particularly within military aviation, aligning with traditional gender norms. This glorification of violent acts as a symbol of masculinity could impact viewer’s perceptions and behaviours (Barker 2023). Further, Donato Loia discusses how the film “might be seen as an advertisement for the military” (Loia 2022). The film’s portrayal of daring pilots and adrenaline-fueled aerial maneuvers can inspire awe and admiration from viewers. Moreover, it has the potential to shape public perceptions and attitudes toward patriotism and the role of the armed forces. For example, it is explained to Maverick and his team that “an unspecified foreign country is not respecting international regulations on nuclear weapons and the US army has the responsibility to destroy this arsenal” (Loia 2022). This reinforces the patriotic idea that the “American Empire still wants to present itself as the watchdog of the world order” (Loia 2022). In all, this demonstrates how films can have a broad impact on shaping public perceptions of patriotism and the military.
In summary, “Top Gun: Maverick” utilizes mise en scène to create an immersive cinematic experience, especially in its final mission scene. The film’s meticulous attention to detail in set design, costumes, effects, and editing styles transports viewers into the world of naval aviation. The exploration of masculinity, violence, and patriotism in the film extends beyond entertainment, shaping public perceptions and attitudes. Overall, this film demonstrates the powerful impact of filmmaking techniques on cultural narratives.
Bibliography
Barker, Chris. 2023. “The American action film and the Arendt-Pitkin ‘tyranny of “the Social”’.” Thesis Eleven 176, no. 1: 49-65. https://doi.org/10.1177/07255136231179796
IMDbPro. 2022. “Top Gun: Maverick (2022)” Accessed March 24, 2024. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt1745960/credits/?ref_=bo_tt_tab#tabs
Loia, Donato. 2022. “The Empire Cannot Die: Propaganda and Immortality in Top Gun: Maverick.” New Blackfriars 103, no. 1108: 713-729. https://doi.org/10.1111/nbfr.12776
Murphy, Ian. 2015. “Men’s Cinema: Masculinity and Mise en Scène in Hollywood.” Alphaville: Journal of Film and Screen Media 9: 110-116. https://doi.org/10.33178/alpha.9.07
Salisbury, Mark. 2023. ““The hardest thing I’ve ever done”: Behind the gruelling process of editing ‘Top Gun: Maverick’.” Accessed March 24, 2024. https://www.screendaily.com/features/the-hardest-thing-ive-ever-done-behind-the-gruelling-process-of-editing-top-gun-maverick/5177961.article
Tham, Su Fang. 2022. “Sculpting with Surgical Precision: A Conversation with ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Editor Eddie Hamilton.” Accessed March 24, 2024. https://www.filmindependent.org/blog/top-gun-maverick-editor-eddie-hamilton/
Divyansh Pannu
This person has very accurately experienced the mise en scene in this action sequence of the movie Top Gun maverick as they have explored all the important elements of the mise en scene for example the look of the pilot which represents a military personal and provides the viewer with more intense look off the character. The military persona of the pilot intensifies the character’s portrayal and enhances the viewer’s immersion.
The cockpit of the fighter jets is made very realistic to engage the audience in the realism of the action scene it is so real that the maneuver of the plane actually feels very real and immerses the audience into that plane turn.
They have explored perfectly how the film final action scene was actually made as they took approximately 60 cuts in a single minute and how the editor made a spectacular action sequence from that.
The camera angle changes in the scene time to time focusing on the pilot’s face at one time and plane chase at another time providing the viewers with the intensity of the scene as the pilot’s facial expression shows how dangerous and scary that plane fight is.
This person has finely detailed the impact of this movie on the viewers. they have explained how this movie shows masculinity and military culture and how this sequence exemplifies the daringness of military men.
Overall, I feel like this person has done an excellent work of exploring all the components of this action sequence in the movie Top Gun maverick.