There's more story this time around, too. Where Top Gun often felt like a mood piece, there are actual plot mechanics here. The stakes are well-articulated, the odds are seemingly insurmountable, and nobody with superpowers is coming to save the day. Well, Maverick comes close, but this is a nice reminder that the best movie heroes are not super.
Another welcome point of difference is the emphasis on actual flying footage over computer-generated imagery. Although CGI undoubtedly plays a role, there's a tangibility to the (many) flying scenes that gives literal and figurative weight to the proceedings. The climactic action set-piece is a true wonder.
Cruise's megawatt charisma flows effortlessly off the screen. If you can resist his charms, you're not human. The cast around him is pretty great too. Jon Hamm (Mad Men) is amusing as the stern headmaster, and Teller really looks like Anthony Edwards' son. But of the supporting cast, the real standout is Glen Powell as the cocky Hangman - it's a classic star-making performance.
But it ultimately comes down to Cruise, doing what he does best. Maverick's maverick spirit remains something to celebrate – he's still bucking authority after all these years, and it's glorious. This man is the king.
You don't have to have dad energy to embrace this movie. It's awesomely old fashioned and impressively modern at the same time. Fists will pump, eyes will mist.
Cast: Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Running time: 137 minutes
Rating: M (Violence & offensive language)
Verdict: The Last Movie Star brings the magic.