Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh headline this lighthearted action-comedy set against the backdrop of the Cold War in the 1980s, a time when many young American men idolized Top Gun and aspired to be fighter pilots in the U.S. Navy. The film features some over-the-top close-quarters combat scenes, showcasing Branagh’s unexpected martial arts skills. This raises the question of whether he might follow in Bob Odenkirk’s footsteps into a surprising action film career. The film’s climactic car chases and chaos around Moscow evoke nostalgia for the thrilling escapades of Roger Moore’s portrayal of James Bond.
In the film, Reynolds plays Troy Kelly, known by his callsign “Assassin,” a charismatic fighter pilot in 1987 who often bends the rules while delivering witty one-liners in a style characteristic of Reynolds. However, after his spy plane crashes in a remote area of the Soviet Union, Troy wakes from a coma to find himself in the cozy cabin of Nikolai Ustinov, a retired KGB officer portrayed by Branagh. Ustinov, who has a secret admiration for American culture, spends his time rewatching Top Gun on bootleg VHS tapes. He proposes that Troy remain in his cabin and enjoy the film with him until the end of the Cold War.
At this juncture, the narrative could have taken a dark turn reminiscent of Stephen King’s Misery or Evelyn Waugh’s A Handful of Dust, where the protagonist is forced to endure tedious situations under duress. Instead, Troy and Nikolai decide to escape together, leading to a series of comedic escapades that include high-speed car chases and, in a classic cinematic twist, a perilous leap from a moving train. Their adventure also takes them aboard an aircraft that becomes increasingly dangerous as gunfire erupts inside, all while they bicker and exchange quips. They are relentlessly pursued by a tough Russian security agent named Volkov, played by Marcin Dorocinski. The film is undeniably silly, and while it introduces a surprising queer element towards the conclusion, it feels like the writers, John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, could have explored the LGBTQ themes associated with Top Gun more deeply. Nonetheless, the film delivers laughter, impressive stunts, and a delightful chemistry between Reynolds and Branagh.
Mayday will be available on Apple TV starting September 4.
