Top Gun: Maverick Is a follow-up 36 years in the making, being one of the most-hyped sequels of all time, especially on tik tok but is it better than the original film? Top Gun was released in 1986, directed by Tony Scott and starring a young Tom Cruise, becoming a global phenomenon that stands as a modern classic. The film’s soundtrack, performances, characters, oft-quoted lines, and aerial action sequences inspired generations of filmgoers to keep going back to the Top Gun well, even as a sequel failed to come to fruition for decades.

Director Joseph Kosinski took up the reins for the long-awaited sequel, which sat on the shelf for two years due to the pandemic, but now audiences are finally able to get back in the cockpit with Cruise. Reviews thus far have been exceptionally positive with lifelong fans and newcomers alike finding the film to be worth the wait and an exciting cinematic experience. 

While not as rock n’ roll and stylistic as Scott’s original, Top Gun: Maverick finds its footing in character and technical feats that mirror much of what the first film accomplished, taking it a step further by having all the key actors suit and fly in the actual F-18 Hornet jet planes for the film, making for a more immersive and awe-inspiring spectacle.

But in this second film, Top Gun is starting to die out, which isn’t true in the first film. The first film is a storytelling of the Cold War, while this one is more of Mavericks struggles within himself. Maverick is now closing in on retirement, as all of his peers have moved on, including Iceman, who forces Maverick to confront not only his career, but also his mortality. The tonal shift, with Maverick conflicted about what to do with his life once his career ends, is a stark contrast to the original Top Gun, which focused on how Maverick’s career began.

Director Tony Scott revolutionized the way aerial photography was done with the flying scenes in the 1986 Top Gun, working with the U.S. Navy to film real planes doing real stunts, rather than attempting to do it with camera tricks, models, and CGI. The result was unlike anything that was ever seen before, filmed and edited in Scott’s rock n’ roll style that emphasized fast cuts, fast action, and a rigorous sound design that gave the film powerful energy. Director Joseph Kosinski takes a similar approach with Top Gun: Maverick, working closely with the U.S. Navy to film as much as possible with the actual actors in the actual planes. The result is a technical marvel that’s methodical and slick, although not quite as bombastic as Scott’s film. Both films are effective in the action department, but the style varies to a large degree. 

So, which one is the best? Honestly it truly depends on your age, and how willing you are to envelop more characters and storylines into a very famous movie. Most sequels can be seen as unsatisfying, but this movie is one to beat. If you haven’t seen it, I recommend taking some time from your summer, or even weekend to go and spend just two more hours with Maverick and the best pilots of Top Gun.