PARAMOUNT PICTURES

The epic Paramount Pictures presentation can pretty much be summed up in two words;

TOM CRUISE!!

The entire 2-hour panel wasn’t exclusively dedicated to the famed superstar, of course. We were also treated to a fun little video intro from Johnny Knoxville designed to promote this fall’s “Jackass Forever” release. Paramount also gave us a surprise screening of the new family film, “Clifford the Big Red Dog,” based on the beloved children’s book of the same name as well as a brief tease of “Lost City of D,” an upcoming comedy starring Channing Tatum and Sandra Bullock.

The real showstopper of the Paramount Pictures presentation, however, came in the form of an epic, pulse-pounding, and undeniably breathtaking behind-the-scenes look at “Mission: Impossible 7.”

Unfortunately, Cruise wasn’t in attendance but he did appear via an entertaining pre-recorded behind-the-wheel intro alongside co-star Hayley Atwell and director Christopher McQuarrie.

The behind-the-scenes reel focused on a big stunt sequence in the film and it’s sure to be an absolute jaw-dropper.

Cruise would prepare for this motorcycle-centric stunt for months. He’d start with rudimentary jumps and landings on a motorcycle dirt track before moving on to a more elaborate ramp jump set up. Attached to a wire, Cruise would continuously jump off the massive ramp and push from the motorcycle while airborne. The bike would land in the crash boxes below while Cruise would glide through the air attached to said wires. After performing many a test jump, it was on to the real thing in front of cameras. What exactly do I mean by “the real thing?” How about a massive ramp constructed on a cliffside in breathtaking Norway…With no wires!!

This insane stunt would find Cruise barreling up the ramp on his motorcycle, skyrocketing in the air, kicking the bike free while airborne, and then transitioning into a death-defying base jump! Always the perfectionist, Cruise would go on to perform this nerve-wracking stunt 6 times with an always-on-edge McQuarrie looking on from monitors in a control room. The goal? To do all he can to exhilarate and entertain the fans. Mission accomplished, Mr. Cruise! Mission accomplished!

Following the behind-the-scenes reel, attendees were dazzled by a montage of high-octane clips from the film that feature the return of all your favorite “MI” characters including, but not limited to, an appearance by Kittridge who hasn’t been seen in the franchise since the original movie in 1996! It’s a real shame we have to wait until next year to see this movie because the suspense is killing me!

And Cruise wasn’t done with attendees just yet…

As an added bonus, he and the generous folks at Paramount shared the first 13 minutes of “Top Gun: Maverick” with an eager crowd.

Talk about a nostalgic hit to the system! The opening of the film, which was presented in incredible Dolby Atmos sound, features a virtual redo of the opening credit sequence from Tony Scott’s original “Top Gun” from 1986, complete with that memorable Harold Faltermeyer score and a rousing “Highway to the Dangerzone” by Kenny Loggins.

Those credits are followed by a spectacular sequence in which Maverick (played by Cruise) attempts to push a jet to Mach 10 to avoid having his flying program shut down by a superior officer played by the always stellar Ed Harris. No spoilers, only to say the best compliment I can pay the first reel from this highly anticipated movie, is that I absolutely didn’t want it to end!

The footage was followed by a new “Top Gun: Maverick” trailer which clues audiences in on a couple of plot points that fans have been more than curious about;

1. Clearly there is contention between Maverick and the son of Goose (played by Miles Teller.)

2. It looks like Val Kilmer’s Iceman will be along the lines of the character Tom Skerrit played in the original!

In the end, Paramount really brought the goods! No live talent but the spectacular footage and unparalleled presentation more than made up for that.