Review: How Does Top Gun: Maverick Stack Up?

After repeated viewings, FLYING looks at the latest aviation blockbuster.

Jonathan Welsh

Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 11:56 AM ET

Verified

Tom Cruise as Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell in Top Gun: Maverick. [Credit: Skydance Media]

Key Takeaways:

"Top Gun: Maverick" achieved record-breaking box office success, driven by pent-up demand after pandemic delays and its compelling blend of classic dramatic elements with thrilling aviation action.
The film successfully updates the original's story and characters for a modern audience, balancing increased realism in flight sequences with the highly entertaining, cinematic style that appeals to both aviation enthusiasts and general moviegoers.

See a mistake? Contact us.

I long ago stopped counting how many times I have seen the 1986 naval aviation drama Top Gun. But after watching the sequel, Top Gun: Maverick, on Friday, I felt compelled to see the original yet again, this time with my wife and two teenage sons, so I could more thoroughly compare the films. That was Sunday.

On Monday, I took my family to see Maverick because I figured they would enjoy it and I wanted to hear their impressions of the film and their opinions on whether the decades-spanning story holds together. I also simply wanted to see it again.