I just think it's special that Rooster and Hangman have kind of equal and parallel journeys in terms of character + flying development over the course of the film. What I mean is that their big individual triumphant moments in the narrative use their piloting choices to reflect emotional development. The film shows us from the start that they each have a Big Flaw--and the finale shows them overcoming these flaws.
Not only that, but the narrative uses their dynamic to introduce these individual shortcomings to us, the audience. Their first on screen conversation with each other is how we learn about their Big Flaws in the first place. Because of their relationship and the way they interact, we know how Rooster and Hangman are going to fly before we ever see them in the air.
For Rooster, it's "snug on that perch, waiting for just the right moment...that never comes.â We hear this over and over again, from both Hangman and Maverickâ"Now you got it, don't think, just do." "Rooster, you got him, drop down and take the shot!" "Too late, had your chance.â "...same old Rooster." "You're not. flying. fast enough. You don't have a second to waste." This is Roosterâs Big Flawâhe doesnât trust himself. He flies too slow, and heâs too careful, too hesitant in moments when he needs to believe in his abilities and let instinct take over. This is what Maverick and Hangman are trying to pound into his head the whoooole time.Â
And then heâs on the mission, and Fanboyâs laser doesnât work. And instead of waiting, well: "There's no time, I'm dropping blind." "Bullseye bullseye bullseye!"
This moment is HUGE for him. Fanboy is literally telling him to wait so he can line it up, and maybe a prior Rooster would have done that, but this Rooster has finally learned that he gets one chance and he has to take the shot that's in front of him. [Cue Hangman cheering.] The decision he makes as a pilot in this moment shows that he's learned what Maverick and Hangman were trying to teach him and that he's grown emotionally. He's more sure of himself nowâhe was always capable of taking the shot, but now he actually trusts himself to do it.
And then we have Hangman, Bagman, Mr. "Where's he going?" "That's why we call him Hangman, he'll always hang you out to dry." "Leaving your wingman, there's a strategy I haven't seen in a while." He's not a good team player; he flies solo both literally and metaphorically. We hear this over and over again, especially from Roosterâ"Watch your back, Phoenix." "You put your team in danger and your wingman's dead." Hangmanâs response? âThey couldn't keep up." (And I can't stop thinking about "Hangman, the only place you'll lead anyone is an early grave." There's so much history there, and so much belief from Rooster that Hangman is Not a person to depend on in a moment of crisis.)
But then, Hangmanâs ultimate moment of triumph is that he refuses to leave Maverick and Rooster hanging, that he is the one person who has their backs in a moment of crisis. We see exactly how concerned he is while waiting on the carrier, and we see him ASK to go engage in the fight to fly cover for his squad when the bandits arenât even attacking anyone yet!! Like I could seriously cry about "Dagger spare, request permission to launch and fly air cover." Because he is specifically asking so that Rooster can go back and get Mav, something that we know is completely at odds with his Big Flaw. And then we see him presumably disobey orders to show up and save Maverick and Rooster's lives anyway. He learned from Maverick and Roosterâhe's part of a team now, those are his wingmen out there, and he's not leaving them behind.Â
So the film uses their big triumphant moments in the air to show Rooster and Hangman overcoming their respective flaws. Itâs part of what makes the action of the finale so fucking good, because while yes, it is very satisfying action on its own, itâs also rooted in their character development. Weâre not just happy that Rooster made the shot, weâre happy because Rooster making the shot means something about him. Weâre happy that Hangman is the one to come through for Rooster and Mav because that means something about him and his growth.
The most iconic part is that the traits they each needed to adopt belonged to the other. Rooster is set up from the start as the pilot who wonât leave his wingman, even when itâs gonna cost himââShould be us down there.â âBut itâs not. And now you know a little something about Rooster.â This is the exact thing Hangman struggles with, and itâs what he overcomes to have his moment of triumph. Meanwhile Hangman is set up as the one who flies by instinctââYeah, youâre good, Iâll give you that.â He flies fast, he doesnât overthink, and above all, he trusts himself as a pilot. This is the exact thing Rooster struggles with, and itâs what he has to overcome to have his moment of triumph.Â
The fact that the two of them have parallel arcs like this? The fact that they both learn to be better, more complete pilots by adopting the strength that comes naturally to the other?
I just think that's beautiful.
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