Top Gun: Maverick

This film should not have been this amazing!

On paper, it’s a sequel to a much beloved movie made over 30 years ago, there’s no way it could be any good? In reality, it was one of the truest sequels I’ve ever seen (especially for one made so long after the original). The filmmakers have managed to not only create a great movie in its own right but deliver a true love letter to its predecessor – not an easy feat. It’s unashamed of the clear parallels it makes to Top Gun, using similar plot points and scenes not to mention a medley of the original soundtrack – while also deliberately subverting expectations.

So Maverick is back, still in the same rank, still pushing the envelope and sticking it to the man. Until he’s recruited to teach the young guns how to survive an almost suicidal mission into enemy territory. The story expands the lore of Top Gun, bolstering minor characters from the first film making it feel more like part of a saga than a direct sequel.

Tom Cruise personifies cool, giving the new kids on the block (both the actors and their characters) their moments in the sun, even letting the laughs be at his expense. Which is amongst the many surprises that this film has to offer, it’s effortlessly funny which helps relieve some of the more tense scenes, of which there are plenty. The stakes feel real, you want all of these characters to return home - even when they’re only working through their training. This is owed in part to the incredibly authentic action scenes, opting for real planes over CGI. Don’t think that this is just a popcorn flick, there’s the subtlety and nuance of an indie drama, implying key moments with words unspoken, rather than spelling out the inevitable dialogue.

I felt like I was a kid again, walking out of the movie babbling about the cool action scenes and funny moments, instantly ready for a return flight. Bring your family and experience Top Gun Maverick how it was intended - on the big screen.

In cinemas May 26.