“You think up there, you’re dead, believe me.“

If you didn’t think Tom Cruise was an iconic Hollywood actor, Maverick will truly change your mind. Buckle up…we’re flying straight into the danger zone with this one, so hold on for the ride!

After more than thirty years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators, Pete Mitchell is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him.

I love a Movie that gets people hyped about seeing a movie back in theaters again, and Maverick has done just that. It’s a movie that needs to be seen on the big screen and not at home. One of the longest time, 36 years, between a film and its sequel in the movie history. Top Gun is back, and it’s better than ever.

At the insistence of Tom Cruise, there are no green screen or CGI aerial shots in the film, and even the close up cockpit shots are taken during real in-flight sequences. This meant that much of the cast had to undergo extensive G-force training sessions, to withstand the physical demands of the G-force pressures during flights. It’s pretty epic. My heart needs to be checked on as it was racing from start to finish.

Miles Teller plays the son of the late, great Goose from the original movie. To my surprise, although I shouldn’t be surprised, he was outstanding as Rooster.

“There is no green screen in a Top Gun movie,” says Teller to Men’s Journal. “Every shot, every stunt, was the result of the work, the real sweat, that we all put into it. The production was over the course of a full year, which was definitely the longest shoot I have ever been a part of. There is a lot of heart in the story, and I can’t wait for people to see it. For fans of the original, I think they are going to be grinning from ear-to-ear the whole time. This is going to give them what they want.”

If you’re looking for some nostalgia, this movie has you covered. It was unknown if Val Kilmer was going to be in this movie due to his battle with throat cancer. However, he came to reprise his role as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky. My only complaint is that he wasn’t in the movie long enough; he basically has a brief cameo scene with Maverick, which will give you all the feels.

I also wish the movie brought back Kelly McGillis from the original (she played Charlie). When I asked Twitter why she didn’t reprise her role (or even a cameo), the general response was “she didn’t age well” which sounds like typical Hollywood bullshit, but who really knows.

The movie also follows some of the blueprint of the original film, which leads to a lot of predictability from scene to scene. Regardless, this safe route isn’t the wrong route, and it actually works well while crafting a new sub-plot for an entirely new generation to love Top Gun.

A lot of people are saying it’s superior to the original, and in some aspects, they’re absolutely right. If you feel the need for speed, this one is definitely for you! Welcome back to the big screen, Maverick!