Top Gun: Maverick is a worthy sequel to the first part and has not been made for the heck of it. The film starts in the same way as the first and hence, is sure to make the fans nostalgic. Even some of the music tracks from the prequel have been retained and that adds to the fun. The first half is a little slow and then picks up well. The kind of mission the pilots are supposed to go for and also the conflicts between the characters are intriguing. The extended climax is quite entertaining, though one wishes it was not as predictable and convenient. Nevertheless, it’s captivating and that’s what matters at the end of the day. Tom Cruise, as expected gives a power-packed performance. And as expected, one can’t help but marvel how he’s so energetic at this age. Miles Teller is impressive, not just due to his performance but also as he looks quite similar to Anthony Edwards, who played his character’s father Goose in part 1. Jennifer Connelly is lovely although the chemistry is not as electrifying as the one that Tom Cruise shared with Kelly McGillis. Val Kilmer is terrific in a cameo. Glen Powell is quite effortless. Monica Barbaro and Jon Hamm leave a mark. All in all, Top Gun: Maverick makes for a great watch. This is a film that needs to be seen in cinemas. If there’s an IMAX screen in your city, make sure to watch it there for a better impact.

My rating - *** ½ out of 5!