It’s been 36 years since the original Top Gun and after a few delays its long awaited sequel is now in cinemas. I’m going to make a bold statement and say that this is one of the rare occasions where the sequel might actually be better than the original. Gasp!

Before going to see Top Gun: Maverick I did a little refresher and watched the original (you can read that review here), so as I write this review it is fresh in the mind.

One of the dangers of doing a sequel so long after the original is repeating the same formula and storyline where there is really no point in having the sequel in the first place. I had this feeling with Mary Poppins Returns but not with this film. While there are a number of similarities with the original, I found the story worth telling and that it was enjoyable.

The opening sequence is pretty much a copy of the original film down to the font used in the opening credits, the score, the opening text explaining what Top Gun is, and the jets taking off and landing on an airship carrier. I think this serves as some nostalgia for old school fans while giving new fans an invitation in. There are some differences with angles used which I am guessing comes down to what cameras were available in the 80s compared to now.

The last time we saw Maverick he had his pick of any posting following the success of the final dogfight he was in and he decided that he was going back to Top Gun to be an instructor. When this film starts we don’t get a “x many years later” or explanation of what has happened in that time but clearly things didn’t go to plan and it’s not long before we see that Maverick hasn’t changed his ways that much. He loves being a pilot but the risks he takes are more related to his team than personal issues.

In this film Maverick is ordered back to Top Gun to train the best of the best pilots who have recently graduated from Top Gun for a high risk mission. Something no pilot has ever done before. In the class is Goose’s son, call sign Rooster (Miles Teller) who is the spitting image of his father. Given the history between the two you expect there to be tension however there is more to it than what happened in the original film, which was a good addition. It’s up to Maverick to get these pilots ready not only for a successful mission but to get them home safely.

The flight scenes looked fantastic and I would highly recommend going to see this one at the cinemas with Dolby Atmos for the experience. Again what makes this film a success is the limited use of CGI, it looks real because it is (mostly) real. No the actors aren’t actually flying those planes but gosh do you buy into it. It adds an authenticity which steps it up above your average action flick.

The soundtrack was also much better in the sequel with a bit more variety used and a beautiful original song written and performed by Lady Gaga. And despite me being a little over hearing Danger Zone so many times just a few hours before, I was excited by its return in the film. Used just the right amount of times I must say!

So while there are a lot of similar scenes between the two Top Gun films there is enough difference in the story to make them separate and worthy. Both are excellent action films that you’ll have a lot of fun watching.

Don’t think. Just do.

Rating:  Good