Critics Reckon Top Gun: Maverick Is Better Than The Original

With Top Gun: Maverick set to take off in cinemas later this month, early reviews are rolling in and many critics reckon the sequel could be better than the original film.

The long-awaited sequel was screened to 3,000 lucky individuals at Las Vegas' CinemaCon last week and loads were blown away.

TOP GUN MAVERICK is fantastic. The directing is insane with a nice grounded and emotional story. Action sequences that will keep your heart racing. Tom cruise is the GOAT!! Watch this on the biggest screen when it comes out #TopGunMaverick

— Benito Donato (@ben_donald) April 28, 2022

Absolutely loved #TopGunMaverick. Blown away by the cinematography and flying scenes and of course @TomCruise’s performance. Rest of the cast was great with special props to @Miles_Teller and @glenpowell. This is the kind of movie you want to see on the biggest screen possible. pic.twitter.com/PIfs2aGi2v

— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) April 28, 2022

TOP GUN: MAVERICK is the perfect blockbuster. Not only did it feature dazzling aerial combat sequences, but I actually cried, it’s that emotional. And call me crazy, but I humbly predict that it WILL land a Best Picture nod next year. It’s not just THAT good, it’s VERY good. 😉

— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) April 28, 2022

One word: Wow! #TopGunMaverick is absolutely terrific in every conceivable way. The action & flying is crazy intense & continually changes & evolves. You’re on the edge of your seat. I was not prepared for how emotional it was, too. The crowd cheered a dozen times. It’s real deal pic.twitter.com/G1dacuZctz

— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) April 28, 2022

One person wrote: “The action & flying is crazy intense & continually changes & evolves. You’re on the edge of your seat. I was not prepared for how emotional it was, too. The crowd cheered a dozen times. It’s real deal.”

Another wrote: “Absolutely loved #TopGunMaverick. Blown away by the cinematography and flying scenes and of course @TomCruise’s performance. Rest of the cast was great with special props to @Miles_Teller and @glenpowell. This is the kind of movie you want to see on the biggest screen possible.”

While a third user claimed it was the best film they had seen in over a decade, writing: “TOP GUN: MAVERICK is the BEST time I’ve had at the movies in over a DECADE!!! Don’t let anyone spoil it! PHENOMENAL!!! This is a MONSTER SMASH HIT! Whoa!!”

Top Gun: Maverick will see the best living testing pilot Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell (Tom Cruise), finally return to the silver screen after more than 35 years. 

Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer have reprised their roles and are joined by some new faces to the franchise, including Jon Hamm, Lewis Pullman and Jennifer Connelly.

Miles Teller also stars as Lt. Bradley 'Rooster' Bradshaw, the son of Maverick’s late friend, Nick 'Goose' Bradshaw.

Cinema Blend reports Paramount Pictures had intended for Top Gun: Maverick to drop way back in 2019; however, the release date was pushed back multiple times due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The studio also consulted with experts and decided to delay the film to 2022 to help maximise its box office potential.

Despite initially protesting the decision, IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond understands why Paramount ultimately made the call.

He said: “I have spent a lot of time close to a lot of the decision makers at Paramount and… in Top Gun they think they have something very special. Tom Cruise waited more than 35 years to make that movie. 

"I think they just feel that for that franchise, and with that kind of quality, they want to make sure the box office is 100 per cent.”

Top Gun: Maverick will land in cinemas May 27, 2022.