It is hard to say whether it is necessary to watch the first part of the movie to understand it fully. The new version has an episode with flashbacks of the previous film, in which young Tom Cruise, Anthony Edwards, Meg Ryan, and Val Keamer appear. And Kosinski’s film itself is a complete piece, and you will only lose something if you watch Scott’s classics.

The second part begins like the first, with the credits about creating an elite school for the best pilots by the US Navy in 1969, and the opening shots show planes preparing to take off from an aircraft carrier. At the same time, Kenny Loggins’ Danger Zone plays in the background, just like in the classic. It all makes you feel like you’re watching an old movie by accident, if not for the replacement of A-6 and F-14 aircraft with F-18 and F-35.

Now Pete Mitchell lives in an airplane hangar in the Mojave Desert in California alone and works as a Navy test pilot. However, Rear Admiral Kane, played by Ed Harris, says that the era of drones is coming, so the Navy will no longer need pilots.

Then Maverick receives an offer from his former rival from the first part and now best friend Tom Kazansky to train a new class of elite pilots at a fighter jet school in San Diego. Kazanski, as in 1986, is played by Val Kilmer. And the actor’s real-life struggle with laryngeal cancer is reflected in his character.

As for Cruise’s character, even decades later, he is still worried about the death of his best friend, Goose (Anthony Edwards). So imagine his surprise when he learns that his friend’s son Rooster (Miles Teller) will be among the pilots he must train. The movie also tells the story of the death of Gusak’s wife. However, there is no mention of Charlie (Kelly McGillis), who was presented as the love of Maverick’s life at the time.

Nevertheless, there was a love storyline. Jennifer Connelly, one of the most talented Hollywood beauties, who played a small role in Sergio Leone’s cult Once Upon a Time in America back in the 80s, embodied the role of a single mother, Penny. She runs a local bar and once had a relationship with Maverick. The tandem of Cruise and Connelly is perfect. This also applies to the interaction between Maverick and Miles Teller’s characters, who create the dynamics of a father-son relationship.

At first glance, this is a movie for fans of the first part of Top Gun, but it is also a good blockbuster that deservedly took its place among the nominees. This movie is exactly that rare moment when a sequel surpasses the original.

Just for the sake of argument, nowadays, we realize the value of time. And if you want to watch a movie in this genre, don’t waste it on something second-rate.