In a time when superhero movies were the only ones in theaters, Maverick outperformed The Batman at the box office. The long-awaited legacy sequel was a smash-hit triumph for Paramount, reminding fans of why they fell in love with cinema in the first place. Director Joseph Kosinski has only created a few films, yet they have all been made with enormous passion and devotion. The audience has continually been able to sense his passion and excitement in his films.
In 2010, Kosinski made his feature picture debut as the director of Disney’s Tron: Legacy. The movie demonstrated that Kosinski was a skilled filmmaker who respected and understood the source material. More importantly, it proved he was a director capable of coming up with fantastic new concepts. We’ve chosen to take a look back at the earlier movies Kosinski has directed throughout the years in light of the release of Top Gun: Maverick. Here is a ranking of Joseph Kosinski‘s five (so far) feature films.
Spiderhead
Spiderhead on Netflix is based on George Saunders’ dystopian short tale “Escape from Spiderhead.” “Spiderhead” was the name of a jail where Steve Abnesti (Chris Hemsworth), the head of a pharmaceutical corporation, did experiments with emotion-altering medications. The test participants were Spiderhead convicts who wished to shorten their sentences. Jeff (Miles Teller) and Izzy (Jurnee Smollett) were two convicts at Spiderhead whose actions drew the wicked Steve’s notice. The film had an intriguing premise, but the execution received mixed reviews. Spiderhead was not for everyone, but it was an amusing film for many.
Oblivion
Prior to directing Oblivion, Kosinski created a never-published graphic novel with the same name. The year is 2077, and the setting is a post-apocalyptic Earth where a battle with an alien civilization has forced people to look for another planet to call home. Tom Cruise decided to take on the role of technician Jack Harper because the idea intrigued him. Harper, one of the few individuals left on Earth, was in charge of maintaining the planet’s war drones. He eventually discovered that he was not who he had believed himself to be and that his purpose had been more complex than he had realized. Oblivion‘s stunning visuals only served to increase the effectiveness of its numerous sci-fi action scene pieces. Oblivion seemed big in scope and size and also had significant stakes while taking place on a lonely planet.
Tron: Legacy
Disney’s excellent Tron: Legacy, the much-anticipated 80s sequel to the acclaimed original Tron, was released over three decades after the first film. This was Kosinski’s debut movie and a fantastic start to his career. The excessive use of computer-generated graphics in blockbuster movies has long been a source of complaints from moviegoers, which continues to this day. However, they did not object to its use in the virtual world known as “the Grid” in the movie Tron: Legacy. Never had a film employed simple lines of brilliant light so successfully. It was accompanied by Daft Punk’s outstanding composition, which included a lovely fusion of symphonic music and synthesizers. Though the characters were incredibly likable and a little undeveloped, Kosinski’s world-building helped audiences overlook the film’s flaws.
Only the Brave
The Yarnell Hill Fire, which happened in June 2013, is regarded as the sixth-deadliest American firefighter tragedy in history. The Granite Mountain Hotshots lost 19 of their 20 members in the fire. Only the Brave was released four years later and dedicated to their remembrance. The historical drama picture had a strong ensemble cast, featuring Josh Brolin and Jeff Bridges. Miles Teller and Jennifer Connelly were also cast members, having previously worked with Kosinski on Top Gun: Maverick. The bravery of the Hotshots, real-life warriors who made the ultimate sacrifice, was represented brilliantly through great performers. It was heartbreaking, but the film never intended to gloss over a horrific catastrophe. While Only the Brave garnered great reviews, the movie was a box office flop. Nonetheless, Only the Brave was a heartfelt homage that deserved more recognition.
Top Gun: Maverick
The first Top Gun was noted for its incredible aerial imagery, beach volleyball sequences, and amazing soundtrack. Top Gun: Maverick, which preserved the essence of the original while yet forging its own character, included all of those elements as well. Even though he was older and more experienced, Maverick was still Maverick and needed to mentor a fresh round of aviators. Top Gun: Maverick‘s plot centered on Maverick training the pilots for a mission that was extremely risky. This exhibited the team’s unity and gave the movie a clear focus. It also looked at Maverick’s delicate connection with Rooster, the son of Maverick’s recently passed closest buddy.
Kosinski avoided using a green screen for his actors. Instead, he had them perform inside the cockpit of a genuine F/A-18 with flying scenes complete with real pilots. Practical effects went a great way in creating a sense of realism and escapism that stole people’s breath away. Top Gun: Maverick was one of the finest action movies in years, thanks to excellent character development, thrilling action sequences, and a charismatic ensemble.
