Agree with your post #12. TG: Maverick was okay, but the original was so much better. Original idea, original filming methods, better music and original story line. Maverick leaned on the original too much and the ending was hurried and predictable, almost a last minute slap together get ‘er done ending. TG: Maverick would have been better if there was no TG original.
I was completely bored with TG-M by the finale. I remember wishing it was over and there was still a needless half hour or so left. I agree with your take, both the 1st ‘TG’ and ‘Rain man’ should have been higher on the list than TG Mav, IMO.