The record-setting debut of Top Gun: Maverick over Memorial Day weekend 2022 comes as no surprise to this Avgeek. Neither do the reviews, which are (almost) universally excellent. Let’s get this out of the way at the outset. Go see the movie. In a theater. With the biggest screen possible and the best sound system to go with it. I saw the movie with my son in a theater with “enhanced audio experience”, which included Dolby Atmos surround sound, about 100 speakers, and probably about that many subwoofers. The overall visual and aural experience was absolutely awesome. The two medium popcorns and two bottles of water we consumed cost considerably more than our tickets did.

But the theater experience really was outstanding. The audience ranged from pre-teen kids to seniors- lots of families too. They cheered several times and gave the movie a standing O at the end. We both muttered “wow” dozens of times both during and after the film. Oh sure- I’ll buy the 4K Blu-Ray when it comes out (along with a 4K Blu Ray player and a 4K TV to watch it on- it’s good to have goals), and it’ll be one of those films I’ll watch (and enjoy) many more times at home with my somewhat anemic home theater sound setup. And just like the original, it’ll be programming I seldom surf past when it appears in the channel guide. So without spoilers, here are some Top Gun: Maverick takeaways.

The opening sequence. Similar but better than the original. When you see (and hear) it you’ll know what I mean. One word: Goosebumps!

The closing sequence. Also similar but better than the original. And when you see (and hear) it you’ll know what I mean. The same one word: Goosebumps!

The soundtrack. IMHO better than the original Top Gun. Not much more I can say without spoilers here. Only a couple of new songs made for the film. The film is about flying, and the soundtrack supported that, never really becoming the focus of the experience. Except for a couple of times that is. Just go see (and hear) it!

Suspension of disbelief. Not really necessary (very often). Sure- some of the maneuvers and a lot of the plot is, in varying degrees, a bit out there, but in the end this movie is, for me at least, more believable than the original Top Gun. Actually putting the actors in the back seat of an F/A-18F Super Hornet and filming them reacting to actual Gs on the jet has a lot to do with this.

Flying scenes. The best ever filmed. Period. Full stop. The filmmakers clearly strived to make this the hallmark of the film, and they succeeded. There’s more flying in this film than the original too. Even when liberal use of CGI was employed, the movie’s flying scenes were absolutely captivating. And for the most part, completely believable, if not well outside NAVAIR safety parameters. But don’t just take my word for it. Former Naval Aviator Loree ‘Rowdy’ Draude thought so too!

Maverick’s career. Some clarity about how Mav has remained a Captain over all the years since his first three victories over MiG-28s with Merlin in the back seat is provided. But just enough to allow the audience to buy into the idea that Captain is the rank Mav should hold.

Technical accuracy. Observers and critics (people who know) have been calling out technical errors in the film since the first trailer came out years ago. Sure, the ‘salad bars’ on the characters’ chests might not be quite completely cricket. Yes, the radio comms might not be completely accurately portrayed. Switchology and displays in the cockpits are off a bit (there’s an Easter Egg in there). While the movie is certainly not completely accurate from a technical standpoint, the movie is definitely believable. Much of this due to excellent editing. There are very few continuity errors in TG: M. At least Mav doesn’t throttle back to idle and initiate a climb (instead of throttling up) when he goes to help Cougar. Let’s put it this way: This movie didn’t tax the basic tenets of Naval Aviation reality anywhere near as hard as the original Top Gun did.

Twists. Can’t get into too many of them here (without spoilers) but suffice it to say I was surprised by exactly how the aftermath of the strike mission played out. I was expecting the opposite.

Nods to the original film. Obviously the opening and closing sequences, but there are also others. Such terms as hard deck, flyby, discussions with stern (and bald) superior officers, Penny Benjamin, Maverick’s hangar, motorcycles in places they shouldn’t/couldn’t be, and Great Balls of Fire come to mind. The entire film is, in many ways, a nod to the original- but it stands on its own merit.

Wishlist for the Blu-Ray release. Deleted/extended scenes. Interviews with the Navy pilots who flew the actors in the F/A-18Fs. Interviews with the Navy technical consultants to the film. Technical review of how the camera systems in the jets were developed/employed. Shooting site review. And, of course, outtakes and/or gag reel.

Laughs. The film has some genuinely funny moments, and some of them are completely unexpected- IMHO the best kind. The audience laughed out loud several times. Subtle humor also contributes to the enjoyment of the film.

Spoilers? Sorry Charlie. We’ll have to wait a while to do a piece that includes spoilers. We’re not going to pick apart the technical inaccuracies here. Yet anyway. In the final summation, Top Gun: Maverick is a great film. While it helps to have seen the original film to understand all the references to Maverick’s previous experiences, it’s absolutely not required. This film stands on its own as a great film- not just a great sequel. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You’ll cheer for the good guys. We give it 5 stars, a must-see grade, and highly recommend seeing it in a well-equipped theater. You’ll know why the first time an afterburner kicks in!

Bill Walton is a life-long aviation historian, enthusiast, and aircraft recognition expert. As a teenager Bill helped his engineer father build an award-winning T-18 homebuilt airplane in their up-the-road from Oshkosh Wisconsin basement. Bill is a freelance writer, screenwriter, and humorist, an avid sailor, fledgling aviator, engineer, father, uncle, mentor, teacher, coach, and Navy veteran. Bill lives north of Houston TX under the approach path to KDWH runway 17R, which means he gets to look up at a lot of airplanes. A very good thing.

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