Thirty-six years after the original ‘Top Gun’ movie was released, the sequel, ‘Top Gun: Maverick’, hit the theaters last Friday, on May 27th. The movie already grossed $156 million over the Memorial Day weekend, and it is expected to gross over $300 million over its domestic run. As one can tell, the movie is a hit, and here is why.

To begin, one must have seen the original ‘Top Gun’ movie from 1986 in order to understand and fully enjoy the sequel. ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ stars: Tom Cruise as an older Pete “Maverick” Mitchell and Miles Teller as Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw, who is the son of Maverick’s late friend, Nick “Goose” Bradshaw. The movie also brings back Maverick’s wingman from the original ‘Top Gun’, the now Commander, Tom “Iceman” Kazansky, played by Val Kilmer. 

‘Top Gun: Maverick’ is about Maverick letting go of his past and his final return to the United States Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program, or Top Gun. He is tasked with teaching younger Top Gun graduates how to fly and fight for a real-world mission. The movie features many scenes in the fighter jets and many surprises, but in order to not spoil the movie, I will just say that after seeing the original ‘Top Gun’, and now the sequel, the story feels complete. I expect many viewers or fans to be satisfied after watching.

If you haven’t already, go check out ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ in theaters, and make sure you watch the original too!