Tom Cruise is back on the big screen in a movie many people are going to want to see. Decades after the events of the original movie, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell being assigned an important task. He must train and form a team of former Top Gun school graduates for a mission going into enemy territory. But one of the people he must train is Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw, the son of Maverick’s wingman who died all those years ago. Tension runs high as Maverick confronts his past and makes sure these pilots are ready for their mission.

You might have noticed a trend going on in Hollywood in the last several years. A lot of films or movie franchises are being revitalized in order to cash in on nostalgia. Past movies that were active decades ago are now being followed up on in an effort to ensure a profit at the box office. A recent example of this, “5cream”, has coined the term Requel for this trend. A film that is both a reboot and a sequel. Mixing new characters as well as bringing in characters from the original or past movies in a film that is supposed to pay tribute to what came before but past the torch to a new generation. This type of movie became popular following the release of “The Force Awakens” and the trend has had mixed results.

But this is a bit different. This falls into a category that I like to call legacy sequel. Instead of this being a new long-awaited installment to a film series, it’s only serving as a sequel to one movie. And it isn’t meant to set-up more sequels but rather tell a new story in that world. An example of this subset of films is “Blade Runner 2049”. And this film does fit under that term. This isn’t a passing of the torch to a new generation as the main focus is on Tom Cruise’s character.

And in regards to Tom Cruise himself, this film is actually a solid reminder that he can still be a good dramatic actor. While most actors from his era would have started off doing action films then transitioned into more dramatic roles, Cruise has interestingly done the opposite. Gone are the days where he could have just as easily been in “Rain Man” or “Interview with a Vampire”. People watch him now to see him do his own stunts and to see what death defying trick he’s going to give us next. But Maverick in this film has dealt with and is currently dealing with a lot of complicated issues and baggage. Several moments in this movie you can see him put heart and sincerity into his lines and expressions. Don’t take this to mean he’s bitter. When we first meet Maverick in this sequel, he is still acting similarly to how he was in the original. But he has also matured in a way that makes sense. This is a performance that was treated with respect and dignity.

That’s not to say that everyone else isn’t doing a good job. All the pilots that Maverick is training put in the work. But we focus on a handful of pilots. Rooster is very good in this movie and the tense relationship he has with Maverick leads to some of the more dramatic scenes in the movie. But there is a pilot named Jake “Hangman” Seresin that does kind of steal a few scenes. You start off loving to hate this guy, but as the movie moves along he does end up being genuinely like-able and becomes a true friend and team player. Jennifer Connelly plays an old flame of Maverick’s who is back in his life and their relationship is also important to the story, but more relevant to Maverick’s character development. The love story in the original just felt like it was interrupting the movie and slowed things down. But in here, it does feel like part of the story and you enjoy the chemistry between the two.

And that’s part of what makes this movie better than the original. Yes, the flying and dog fights are amazing, a spectacle to behold and tense in the best way. But the story is actually better structured and improves on the weaknesses of the first. Despite the 1986 film being a hit, it did open to mixed reviews. And it is apparent why when you look back on it. There wasn’t a story focus to either tie in what was going on in the movie or even to push things forward. There is the rivalry between Maverick & Iceman, but they aren’t at Top Gun to train for a mission. Just to hone their skills. The love story as mentioned felt out of place and slowed things down. The volleyball scene – while iconic – just happens with no real reason why. And while there is a climax against some enemy pilots, that too just comes out of the blue with no build up.

But in this movie, all of that is changed. Right from the beginning we know that these pilots are being trained for a dangerous mission. The love story develops Maverick’s character. And while we might not have volleyball, we do get beach football. That scenes also surprisingly has a reason to be in the movie. This is a sequel that still carries much of the feel and atmosphere of the original, but has a far stronger dramatic element to enhance the story. It makes the aerial combat more intense to watch as you are invested in these characters and want to see them make it out in one piece.

One criticism of some of those requel films is that they oftentimes make the returning old characters bitter. That they are the old mentors who don’t want to be roped back in but must to help out the new characters. But that doesn’t apply here. Yes, Maverick does have regrets. But his personality is still intact. He does dangerous and reckless things, but with the purpose of preparing these new pilots. Trying to make sure they have the skills to make it back home. While some of the pilots are enjoyable and fun, the focus is on Maverick. This movie is supposed to show him finally finding closure and improving on relationships with people he cares the most about. Be prepared to go right along with him as he flies into the danger zone and come out happier on the other side.