By: Elena Luo

Top Gun: Maverick is a thrilling sequel following the original 1986 film Top Gun. Directed by Joseph Kosinski, the sequel stars Tom Cruise as Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, who returns to the Top Gun Flight Academy, not as a student, but as an instructor tasked with training the next generation of elite fighter pilots. This action movie was a 10 out of ten for me.

The film excels in its aerial sequences, which are nothing short of breathtaking. In the movie, the actors actually trained like real pilots and flew the path. The sense of speed and danger makes each dogfight and training exercise in the film feel real and exciting. Hans Zimmer and Lorne Balfe’s music further amplifies the film’s dramatic and action-packed moments, creating a powerful soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.

Top Gun: Maverick is about an unsanctioned uranium enrichment plant that must be destroyed by the Navy before it can start up and supply enemy countries with uranium used in bombs. The plant is protected by fifth-generation Su-57 aircraft, F-14 Tomcats, GPS jammers, and surface-to-air missiles (SAMs). It is housed in an underground bunker at the bottom of a canyon. Using two pairs of F/A-18E/F Super Hornets equipped with laser-guided bombs, Maverick comes up with a plan. However, rather than taking part in the attack, his task is to train elite Top Gun grads.

This film is a 10 out of 10 for people who like high action and adventure. Even though it does have some predictable moments, it is very well directed.