FIRST REVIEW

TOP GUN: MAVERICK ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Cert 12A

In cinemas from Friday May 27

NOT only does it avoid the danger zones of the long-awaited sequel, but Top Gun: Maverick is a lot better than the original.

The dialogue is sharper, the plot is more gripping and the vastly improved aerial stunts really do take your breath away.

Tom Cruise’s Pete “Maverick” Mitchell is working as a US Navy test pilot and holds the lowly rank of captain.

Nobody can work out why he isn’t an admiral by now, but the clue is in the name.

Maverick’s refusal to play by the rules hasn’t gone down well with the top brass. “The future is coming and you’re not in it,” growls Ed Harris, who is an admiral, after Cruise disobeys orders by flying a high-altitude jet at 10 times the speed of sound.

Luckily, Iceman (Val Kilmer) is an admiral too, and it’s his old wingman who offers him a shot at redemption.

A unnamed dodgy country will bring banned nukes online in just three weeks. Iceman orders Maverick back to the academy to prepare 12 of “the best of the best” young flyers for a hugely risky Dam Busters-style raid.

The classes get off to a sticky start, when Maverick spots Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw (Miles Teller), son of Goose from the first film, who has inherited dad’s 80s ‘tache and bears a deep grudge for his teacher. Our rule-breaking hero also has to make amends with an old flame (Jennifer Connelly) who is now running the Top Gun bar.

While the human drama is compelling, the film really soars when Cruise (that really is him in the cockpit) takes to the skies.

The training sequences are wonderfully choreographed and the tension builds beautifully to the day of the mission.

Maverick is given clear instructions. He is just the teacher and definitely won’t be going himself. Is that ok with him? Again, the clue is in the name.