Feel the need... The need for speed.

Starring: Tom Cruise, Jennifer Connelly, Miles Teller, Val Kilmer, Brashir Salahudding, Jon Hamm, Charles Parnell, Monica Barbaro, Lewis Pullman, Jay Ellis, Glen Powell, Danny Ramirez

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"The Navy needs Maverick. The kid needs Maverick. That's why I fought for you. That's why you're still here" – Iceman

Why watch this? A calmer, more grown-up Maverick emerges.

Plot Summary: After more than thirty years of service as a top Navy aviator, Pete "Maverick" Mitchell returns to the Top Gun academy to train a detachment of elite graduates for a specialized, high-stakes mission. Maverick must confront the ghosts of his past while navigating a difficult relationship with a young lieutenant who is the son of his deceased former partner.

Dad's Preview: This long-awaited sequel manages to do two things very nicely. First, it pays tribute to its high-octane, high-testosterone predecessor without seeming too contrived. We get Goose's son, himself a jet pilot. We get Maverick saving the day. We get the Iceman. Wow. Second, it presents a plot that makes sense with action sequences that feel realistic. I loved that Mr. Cruise toned down the cockiness of his youth and presented a mature man, reflective of his life and failures. Adding Jennifer Connelly was another excellent choice. It's validating to see a sexy, strong woman in her fifties. This is great viewing fare and I recommend it, even for those who have not seen the original.

Skydance Media, TC Prod., Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Films;
Paramount Pictures