“I’ve got the need, the need for speed.” This line was made famous by Captain Pete Mitchell, aka “Maverick”, in 1986’s box office hit Top Gun. The film helped boost the popularity of the now famous F-14 fighter jet. Fans of the original grew up loving this cult classic starring Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, and Anthony Edwards. But for the next 30 years, people have wanted to see Maverick return to the big screen. That’s when, in the summer 2017, Universal announced work on a second Top Gun movie was in the works, named Top Gun: Maverick.

Top Gun: Maverick released earlier this year to astounding reviews, with some considering it as great as the original movie was. Maverick brings back Cpt. Mitchell and his buddy IceMan, played by Val Kilmer. Kilmer had to use an AI program to recreate his voice, as unfortunately, since the release of Top Gun, Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer. 

The film is about Maverick training a new group of cadets to the Top Gun Program, including his old wingman’s son, Rooster, who has history with Maverick. He is tasked with preparing this new group for a daring mission with little chance of success. And of course, Mav does this the only way he knows how – his way. But this also comes with its dangers, including going into G-LOC, meaning Gravity Induced Loss of Consciousness, and nearly having Mav replaced. 

Top Gun: Maverick is a phenomenal movie available on Prime Video through a subscription, Vudu, Redbox to rent, ROW8 with account, or Apple TV if you have a Vudu subscription. It is a fantastic movie and may help you decide what to do with your life after high school if you are still unsure of what you want to do. If you chose to join the Air Force, then you may get to fly the F-18, just like Maverick does.