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 massive box office success, attributed to its compelling mix of classic cinematic themes (love, loss, conflict) and thrilling aviation sequences, amplified by pent-up demand for the long-awaited sequel.
The film successfully balances entertainment with increased realism in its flight sequences, while still taking cinematic liberties with combat for broader appeal, satisfying both aviation enthusiasts and general audiences.
Maverick gracefully updates the original story and characters for the modern age, proving its worth after a long wait and maintaining the "exceedingly entertaining" and "musical" combat style that transcends strict realism.

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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.