By Emily-Rose Toohey
For the first time since 1986, Top Gun returned to the big screen with the film’s epic sequel, Maverick.
Tom Cruise once again stars in the lead role as Maverick, a talented albeit slightly reckless Navy aviator who is asked to return to where it all began: Top Gun training school.
As one of the Navy’s most experienced aviators, he is tasked with guiding and training a batch of returning Top Gun graduates for an important but very dangerous mission.
However, one of his students is Bradley ‘Rooster’ Bradshaw (played by Miles Teller), the son of the late Goose who died in an accident with Maverick in the first movie.
Their relationship is conflicted as audiences discover Maverick held back Rooster’s career by four years in an attempt to protect him from flying.
But there was no way of stopping him now and Maverick has to come to terms with the fact his best friend’s son would be undertaking the potentially life-threatening mission, and learn to trust the young aviator’s skills.
Overall, the movie is an epic adventure best seen on the biggest screen possible.
The incredible flying sequences and heart-pounding finale ensures the film exceeds its predecessor in craft and story.
It is uncommon for a sequel to be better received critically but Top Gun: Maverick defies the odds and surpasses expectations.
Held together by strong performances and a return to movie star form for Tom Cruise, the film can be enjoyed by lovers of the original who are keen to return to the world as well as new and younger fans.
There’s plenty of nostalgia and call-backs to the 80s film, including the opening credits playing ‘Danger Zone’.
What makes Top Gun: Maverick such a delight is it’s not only exceptionally well-crafted, but it’s very enjoyable.
The movie deserves all the love it’s been receiving, so see it before it leaves movie theatres – you won’t regret it
