Forty years after Tom Cruise first donned the aviator sunglasses, Top Gun returns to theaters for a brief anniversary run, alongside its blockbuster sequel Top Gun: Maverick. Seeing both films in quick succession offers a unique lens on how the franchise evolved—and which one truly soars. Here are 10 key observations from the double feature, covering everything from nostalgia to modern filmmaking.
1. The Original Captures Pure 1980s Swagger
Watching Top Gun (1986) is like stepping into a time capsule of leather jackets, synthwave, and unapologetic machismo. The film’s energy comes from its raw, almost documentary-style aerial footage—real F-14 Tomcats dogfighting with minimal CGI. Cruise’s Maverick oozes cocky charm, and the love story with Kelly McGillis’s Charlie feels both dated and endearing. The original’s pacing is brisk, though some scenes (like the emotional volleyball game) now feel campy. Yet the final dogfight sequence retains its visceral thrill, reminding us why it became a cultural phenomenon.
2. Maverick Reboots the Franchise with Emotional Depth
In contrast, Top Gun: Maverick (2022) sheds much of the bravado for introspection. Maverick is now a reluctant mentor, haunted by Goose’s death and his own aging. The sequel leans heavily on nostalgia—callbacks to “Highway to the Danger Zone,” a photo of Goose—but uses them to explore regret and redemption. Cruise’s performance is more nuanced, balancing arrogance with vulnerability. The result is a film that honors its predecessor while telling a mature story about legacy and letting go of the past.
3. Aerial Footage: Both Films Push Boundaries
The original Top Gun revolutionized aerial cinematography by placing cameras inside actual fighter jets. Director Tony Scott’s obsession with realism gave us dizzying cockpit shots and real G-force effects. Maverick takes this further: Cruise insisted on training the cast as pilots, filming inside modified F/A-18 Hornets with IMAX cameras. The result is hyper-realistic maneuvers—low-flying canyon runs, vertical climbs—that make the original’s dogfights look slightly staged by comparison. Both films, however, remain masterclasses in practical action filmmaking.
4. The Soundtracks Define Their Eras
Kenny Loggins’s “Danger Zone” and Berlin’s “Take My Breath Away” are inseparable from Top Gun’s identity. The 1986 soundtrack is a pure pop-rock time capsule, driving the film’s adrenaline. Maverick opts for a more restrained score by Harold Faltermeyer and Hans Zimmer, blending orchestral bombast with Lady Gaga’s “Hold My Hand.” The sequel uses music to underscore emotion rather than hype, making the final mission feel epic but also poignant. Both soundtracks are iconic, but they serve different purposes: one for fun, one for heart.
5. The Supporting Cast: Then vs. Now
In the original, Goose (Anthony Edwards) is the emotional anchor—his death propels Maverick’s arc. Other supporting characters like Iceman (Val Kilmer) and Jester (Michael Ironside) are archetypal but memorable. Maverick introduces a new generation of pilots, including Rooster (Miles Teller), Goose’s son, whose resentment of Maverick adds deep conflict. The sequel also brings back Iceman in a touching cameo (Kilmer’s real-life voice issues are incorporated). The new squad lacks the original’s iconic banter, but they serve the story of mentorship more effectively.
6. The Villain Problem: Nonexistent in Both
Neither film features a traditional antagonist with dialogue. The original’s “enemy” is a vague MiG-28 pilot, and Maverick’s is an unnamed “fifth-generation fighter” and a surface-to-air missile installation. This absence might seem like a flaw, but it focuses attention on the internal conflicts: for Maverick, it’s his own recklessness; for Rooster, it’s his father’s legacy. Both films rely on aerial battles as tests of character rather than combat against a specific villain. That works surprisingly well, making the dogfights personal.
7. Romantic Subplots: From Sizzle to Subtle
The original’s romance between Maverick and Charlie is steamy but superficial—a product of 1980s tropes. Their chemistry sizzles, but the relationship lacks depth beyond sexual tension. Maverick offers a more restrained love story between Maverick and Penny (Jennifer Connelly), a single mother and bar owner he once loved. Their interactions are mature, focusing on second chances and acceptance. The sequel’s romance feels earned, while the original’s feels like a Hollywood fantasy—both enjoyable, but for different reasons.
8. The Training Montage: Evolution of a Classic Trope
The original’s volleyball scene is legendary for its homoerotic overtones and cheese. Maverick replaces sand with dogfight training: pilots practicing aerial maneuvers in a high-tech simulator before advancing to real jets. The sequel’s montages are leaner, driven by the mission’s urgency. While the original’s montage (set to “Mighty Wings”) is more fun and iconic, the sequel’s is dramatically tighter. Both serve the same purpose—preparing characters for action—but the difference in tone illustrates how filmmaking has shifted from spectacle to story.
9. The Legacy: Respect vs. Replication
Top Gun‘s legacy is built on being a product of its time—a perfect storm of star power, music, and Reagan-era patriotism. Maverick respects that legacy without merely copying it. It introduces new themes (aging, fatherhood, sacrifice) while keeping the core identity. The sequel confirms that Top Gun wasn’t just a flash in the pan; it was a foundation for a more thoughtful, emotionally resonant franchise. However, the original remains irreplaceable as a cultural touchstone.
10. The Winner Is Clear: Both Films, for Different Reasons
Ultimately, comparing Top Gun and Top Gun: Maverick is like comparing a classic muscle car to a modern sports sedan. The original thrills with raw, unfiltered 80s energy; the sequel impresses with technical prowess and emotional maturity. I walked away appreciating the original’s charm more, but recognizing that Maverick is the better-made film. If you want sheer nostalgia and fun, watch Top Gun. If you want a moving story wrapped in breathtaking action, Maverick wins. Both, however, prove Tom Cruise still feels the need for speed—and we’re glad he does.
So whether you catch the anniversary rerelease or stream the double feature, one thing is certain: these films are a testament to the power of practical filmmaking and character-driven blockbusters. The winner isn’t either movie—it’s the audience who gets to enjoy both.