Top Gun: Maverick

A simple statement right upfront: Top Gun: Maverick is THE example of how to do a ‘plenty-of-years-later’ sequel, with some or all of the same cast.

Against all the odds, and following a film which so embodies its time period, this has become the blueprint for the ‘future-quel’.

It achieves this by being nothing less than a big, fun, silly Blockbuster (capital B required) with the perfect amount of self-seriousness and cheese.

It just all works – helped a little by the fact that despite the original being stamped with ‘classic’ status, it’s largely only got this based on sheer popularity (and soundtrack) rather than quality. It’s able to leave a relatively blank slate for a modern version to improve on practically every individual component.

It makes sense, it fits within the logic of the first film and it simply looks a hell of a lot better because the technology has caught up enough to present the dogfighting and aerial manoeuvres in all their glory. Don’t get me wrong, the first film did very well with what they had, but things are a lot easier to follow here.

Tom Cruise is particularly magnetic, playing to every stereotype and clearly loving every second. By performing a lot of stunts it lends an extra layer of visual quality and he’s ably supported by a brilliant ensemble cast. Miles Teller is an incredibly accurate lookalike for Goose’s son, Jennifer Connolly is a perfect love interest substitute and there’s even a touching cameo for Val Kilmer, handled sensitively and lovingly.

Sure, there are a few plot holes and a few bits of hare-brained logic (and it’s a tad ‘flag wavey’) but, come on, were you really expecting anything else?

It’s an absolutely enthralling thrill ride that has no right to be quite this good. It’ll leave you with a grin wide enough to rival Cruise himself.

4 stars ****