MSNBC expert criticizes Top Gun: Maverick branding ‘treacherous’, ‘toxic’

MSNBC opinion writer Zeeshan Aleem has been criticized for labeling Top Gun: Maverick as “treacherous” and “toxic” ahead of tonight’s Oscars.

Aleem claimed the crowd-pleasing blockbuster is unworthy of an Academy Award because it positively portrays the US military “beckons a return to accepting the American war machine as a beacon of virtue and excitement.”

It’s a war fantasy ‘that could play out in real life’ He wrote.

“War is portrayed purely as a source of fame and camaraderie for Maverick and his colleagues, all of whom are attractive people and manage to complete their daring mission without casualties. Their training includes speed, sport and glamour,” he continued, developing his position as an anti-American military.

Outraged critics, however, quickly jumped to the film’s defense online, calling his comments “pathetic.”

In his commentary, Aleem wrote that it is “remarkable” that an action movie like Top Gun was nominated for Best Picture and said he hopes it “tanks up” during Sunday night’s big show, as a symbolic rejection of the military-industrial complex.

“Don’t think, just do,” Maverick continually advises his protégé Bradley ‘Rooster’ Bradshaw, underscoring the film’s plea for audiences to be mindless about fighting,” Aleem wrote.

Maverick means to refer to the value of a pilot’s instinct, but he also asks his students to suspend their ability to think critically about the purpose of the institution they are in. instincts, but again, it doesn’t compromise the mission.)

More broadly, ‘Don’t think, just do’ is also an apt slogan for the US foreign policy establishment – ​​which consistently likes to intervene in other countries without giving much thought to whether it is right or wrong. will be effective.’

However, many online critics strongly disagreed with his position.

One of them posted the article to her Twitter timeline with the comment, “Pathetic. Absolutely pathetic.’

Another, Joe Krusl, chimed in, writing, “Thank God we don’t have to rely on people like you to defend the country.”

Casey Casal said, “It is [sic] ironic that you write a negative article about an army whose sacrifices allow you to write this when the country of your origin would sense such material. Like you, I come from an immigrant home (Filipino), but my father joined the navy. This was a blow to his sacrifices.’

“Liberals will never even be nice to those who protect us,” wrote John, who calls himself a “MAGA patriot,” according to his Twitter account.

Another commented, “What a crazy perspective and an overall sad article. But unfortunately not surprised.

Finally, Aleem referenced a negative Fox News article written about his column, writing, “Lol, this explains the spate of new Nazis in my listings,” referring to the chorus of dissent he saw against his op-ed.

The film has been nominated for six awards, including Best Picture on Sunday night, and has grossed nearly $1.5 billion worldwide — nearly half of which came from the domestic box office.

It also earned praise from one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed directors, Steven Spielberg, who said the movie essentially saved the film industry and theater experience as streaming services became dominant and COVID kept everyone out of theaters for years.