Crash course: 1987, hostile skies, one very unlucky pilot
Set in the heyday of mullets and mixtapes, Mayday drops us into 1987 where Ryan Reynolds plays Troy “Assassin” Kelly, a U.S. Navy pilot on a hush‑hush mission that goes sideways—fast. His jet gets taken out, he’s stuck in enemy territory, and suddenly the plan for a neat extraction is replaced by improvised survival tactics and a whole lot of bad weather for diplomacy.
Odd couple energy: stunt pilot meets former KGB nerd
The movie’s heart is an unlikely partnership. Kenneth Branagh pops up as Nikolai Ustinov, a one‑time KGB operative who’s more curious about American culture than scary spy stereotype. Watching Reynolds’ swagger collide with Branagh’s offbeat fascination turns a standard escape plot into a charmingly weird road — or rather, cross‑border — trip.
Directors who love chaos (in the best way)
Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, the duo behind Game Night and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, steer this ship. If you liked their knack for pairing mismatched characters in ridiculous situations, you’ll recognize the same comic DNA here: big stunts, brisk banter, and scenarios that are improbably fun.
All the 80s thrills, with a wink
Mayday leans into Cold‑War atmosphere — fighter jets, tense airspace, and a definite Top Gun flavor — but it doesn’t take itself too seriously. The aerial bits were shaped with real pilots to sell the action, while the script sprays in jokes so the nostalgia never tips into straight‑laced homage.
Should you queue it this weekend?
If you’re after a popcorn flick that mixes fast planes, offbeat chemistry, and a healthy dose of comedy, Mayday is a solid pick. It lands on Apple TV on September 4, and if the trailer’s any guide, expect a wild blend of action and laughs — the kind of movie that’s perfect for cheering at the screen and quoting on the way home.