The hype surrounding Top Gun: Maverick was as high as Tom Cruise’s titular character can fly in the series – so it’s pleasing to be able to say that this sequel to the 1986 cult classic is an absolute blast.
Revisiting beloved old characters is always something of a risk – especially after so long – but this Top Gun offering strikes the perfect balance between nostalgia and telling a fresh story that should create a new generation of fans.
So, while fans of the original will lap this all-action sequel up, it’s also accessible for fresh sets of eyes who have no interest in the original.
Starting with an almost identical opening to the Tony Scott classic, you’re immediately transported back to Fightertown in your head.
It’s a great early injection of nostalgia – and we’re soon given plenty more, as we discover Cruise’s Maverick is still the same rule-breaking rebel and all-round pain the backside for the US Navy’s big wigs.
Only a Captain despite his advancing years, Maverick shares a few enjoyable scenes with the excellent Ed Harris (playing a stereotypical Admiral) at the start before he races his way back to Top Gun on his trusty motorbike.
It’s here that the main story kicks off, which feels much more high-stakes than the original and actually plays out much better.
Without giving too much away, Maverick is tasked with training Top Gun’s elite graduates for a mission that commanding officer “Cyclone” (Jon Hamm) seems to believe is something of a suicide mission.
That immediately puts Maverick at odds with his superior, which is absolutely where we as the audience want him to be.
Amongst those who are pushed to the limit by Maverick is Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw (Miles Teller), who is the son of his best friend “Goose” who (spoiler alert) died in the first film.
He’s the spitting image of his late father, even recreating the memorable “Great Balls Of Fire” karaoke scene at one point. But he’s clearly at odds with his uncle of sorts and their relationship arc is the beating heart of this sequel.
Also among the other aviators in Maverick’s class is Glen Powell’s “Hangman”, whose cockiness and bravado are a throwback to Cruise’s iconic character in his earlier years.
Another welcome addition is Monica Barbaro’s Natasha “Phoenix” Trace, who breaks down the all-boys’ club and then some.
Naturally, there’s a love interest for Maverick in the form of Jennifer Connelly’s Penny, who is the ‘Admiral’s daughter’ referenced as one of his old flames in the original.
She slips into the shoes of Kelly McGillis’ Charlie (who gets barely a mention) seamlessly and gets plenty of screen time.
There’s also another emotional cameo that I’ll not spoil, but really delivers high on the nostalgia scale.
While the story is vague and the enemy never really referenced, you’ll not really care given how much fun this film is.
If you’re at the cinema for macho behaviour, playful banter, shirtless beach sports and popcorn crunching action, Maverick has every base checked without every feeling overly cheesy or contrived.
But there’s also a real sense of jeopardy throughout, with the final act delivering massively on that front.
Indeed, it’s fair to say that Maverick flies higher than its predecessor in almost every way and, for me at least, is (surprisingly) one of the hits of the year so far.
Voice Verdict: 9/10 (reviewed at Boston Savoy)
+ Great mix of nostalgia and new characters
+ Maverick and Rooster
+ Final act is great
+ Stays true to original and surpasses it
