There are a lot of mixed feelings relating to the 80’s movie Top Gun, ranging from nostalgia to obsession to indifference. And you’ve probably heard of the recent release of Top Gun’s sequel more than 30 years after the original – Top Gun: Maverick.

Top Gun: Maverick is currently the number six highest grossing film in domestic box-office history. You’ve probably heard people raving about it and I personally know people who have seen it sixteen times in the theater. When I went to see it, I was dubious if it was really worth all the fuss. But if you enjoyed the original, you’re likely to love the new release. Even if you thought the first movie was overrated, you’re still likely to be impressed. And even if you go into the theater with no background knowledge whatsoever, you’re going to be blown away, if by the amazing real flight footage alone.  

Top Gun: Maverick is the sort of film that “takes your breath away” from any angle. It contains a lot of the thrill and nostalgia of its predecessor, while bringing in much of the plot and character development many felt the original was lacking. The new movie also deals with some tough topics, including loss, regret, and letting go, another arguably weak spot of the old movie.  

This sequel continues the story of Pete Mitchell, or Maverick, after he graduates from Top Gun: the Navy’s school for the top 1% of pilots. The first scene shows Maverick continuing to fly for the Navy, pushing limits. But after his rebelliousness and tendency towards risk almost get him kicked out, he finds himself in what he is told is going to be his last job for the Navy: training a group of young pilots to run an extremely dangerous mission. Among this group is a pilot whose code name is Rooster, the son of Maverick’s old copilot, Goose, who (spoiler alert) died while flying with Maverick in the original movie. As Top Gun: Maverick goes on, the past is uncovered, old rivalries surface, limits are tested, the mission becomes a question of life and death, and Maverick is once again faced with the impossible.  

So if you’ve ever felt they don’t make movies like they used to, that the sequel didn’t live up to the original, or just missed some good old-fashion style action, I would highly recommend you see Top Gun: Maverick. I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed.