This is a truly wonderful continuation of the story – I even found myself preferring it to the initial movie. 'Top Gun: Maverick' is just fantastic, plain and simple. I went in hoping it would be good, but it turned out to be considerably more entertaining than I’d thought possible. The references back to the original film are handled with great skill; the new characters are well-developed and cast effectively, and there’s a real sense of depth to everything, alongside a wonderful musical score and truly spectacular action sequences – the aerial displays are breathtaking. The narrative is excellent, and each moment of tension feels genuinely impactful—there were even instances that gave me goosebumps, which was unexpected considering I don't have any particular connection to the 1986 film. Everything just fits together so well; I almost considered awarding it a higher score. Tom Cruise shines as he returns as Maverick, and Miles Teller delivers an impressive performance. Jennifer Connelly is also a plus, although her part feels somewhat contrived, seemingly included simply to provide a romantic interest, especially given Kelly McGillis’ absence. Monica Barbaro really makes an impression among the newer cast members, though I genuinely enjoyed watching all of them—something I initially worried about, as introducing new characters can sometimes be difficult. Jon Hamm and Glen Powell feel a bit predictable, but on balance, I'm satisfied with how they were incorporated. It’s a superb film; I would absolutely recommend it, although it’s probably best to watch the first one if you haven’t already.

Source on TMDB