This movie took the summer by storm. The sequel film to the original “Top Gun” follows an older Maverick, played again by Tom Cruise, and his journey of becoming a Top Gun instructor and coaching a squad of elite naval pilots. 

When a nuclear plant across enemy lines calls for extreme measures, the team must do the impossible, even though Maverick struggles as a teacher.

This film is a great choice for most viewers, with practically no trace of weakness.

First, it goes without saying that the cinematography and scenery in the shots of the film are extraordinary. Like the original, the movie includes multiple sequences of the pilots hurtling through the air with eye-catching desert, forest or tundra surrounding them. 

In fact, Cruise actually opted for less CGI to provide a realistic representation of both the pilots’ emotions and the terrain. And of course, you can’t forget about the famous beach football scene, which captured the sunset over the ocean beautifully.

Both the acting and the chemistry among the actors work perfectly. Cruise nails his role as the same talented, overconfident guy that he was in the original film. It’s likely audiences will forget that Maverick is a whole generation older than the rest of his team.

Cruise and Miles Teller, who plays the deceased Goose’s son, perfectly portrays their tense relationship, and introduces an emotional struggle within the elite squadron. Also, the film introduces a desirable love story similar to the original, between Maverick and his former admiral’s daughter, Penny.

The soundtrack in “Top Gun: Maverick” is outstanding. The film utilizes upbeat songs such as “Danger Zone” by Kenny Loggins to emphasize the excitement of the flight sequences, while also playing more laid-back hits like “I Ain’t Worried” by One Republic to fit the light-hearted scenes. And of course, the classic “Top Gun Anthem” composed by Hans Zimmer brings older fans back to the 1986 “Top Gun.”

Whether you’re looking for ‘80s nostalgia or a thrilling action film, “Top Gun: Maverick” won’t disappoint, and I’d highly recommend it to all audiences 10 and over. A definite improvement on its predecessor, I give the movie 5 out of 5 stars.