--- title: "Top Gun: Maverick: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/top-gun-maverick/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/top-gun-maverick" critics_score: 82 critics_reviews: 21 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Top Gun: Maverick (2022): what the critics said Critics' score 82 from 21 reviews: 20 positive, 1 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics like it a great deal, and a good number say it is better than the original. The praise clusters on the flying: real aircraft, cameras in the cockpits, no digital fakery, and the reviews return to that point again and again. Tom Cruise is the other constant, credited with holding the film together and with a physical commitment the critics find hard to resist. Several are surprised by how much the film moves them, with the scenes about ageing and old rivalries landing harder than the reviews expected. The spread is narrow; only one review is mixed and none is negative. The reservations are about the story rather than the flying. Time Out finds the middle sags; NME calls it brainless, thrilling but without any moral weight; The New York Times asks whether stories of pilots make sense in an age of drones. Sight and Sound is the outlier, finding the plot contrived and the subplots close to spoof, though it too praises the stunt work. ## Empire — Ian Freer Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 12 May 2022. The film matches or improves on the original with its mix of familiarity, affection, and emotional depth. Kosinski delivers thrilling aerial sequences and a strong emotional core centered on aging, camaraderie, and Cruise's magnetic performance. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/top-gun-maverick/) ## IndieWire — David Ehrlich Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 13 May 2026. Kosinski's long-delayed sequel is a confidently rapturous, emotionally involving, take-your-breath-away great time at the movies and the most satisfying summer action movie since Mission: Impossible — Fallout. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/top-gun-maverick-review-1234723766/) ## Los Angeles Times — Justin Chang Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 12 May 2022. The critic calls the film exhilarating and gloriously alive, crediting its unusual investment of brainpower alongside the spectacle. It singles out the way the story resurrects old threads of rivalry and triumph into male-weepie grandiosity for praise. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2022-05-12/top-gun-maverick-review-tom-cruise) ## The AV Club — Todd Gilchrist Rating A-. 12 May 2022. Joe Kosinski matches architectural precision with nostalgic but never pandering emotionality while Cruise commands the screen. The film exceeds the original technically and gives Cruise his biggest full-circle moment. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/top-gun-maverick-review-tom-cruise-joe-kosinski-miles-t-1848896756) ## The Guardian — Mark Kermode Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 29 May 2022. The critic finds the sequel irresistible, with Tom Cruise delivering another ageless, engaging performance amid spectacular real-flight aeronautics and emotional callbacks. The film succeeds as crowd-pleasing spectacle that reminds viewers why cinema beats home viewing. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/may/29/top-gun-maverick-review-tom-cruise-joseph-kosinski) ## The Hollywood Reporter — David Rooney Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 12 May 2022. Festival review. The superior sequel delivers virtuoso technical skill, propulsive pacing and edge-of-the-seat flying sequences. It boosts visceral analog action over CG fakery while following the original formula closely. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/top-gun-maverick-tom-cruise-1235144456/) ## The New Yorker — Anthony Lane Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 20 May 2022. The critic finds the sequel far outflies the original through its beautifully shot action and disarming puppyish triumphalism. It singles out the use of real skies rather than CGI for praise while noting the plot's absurdities. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/05/30/top-gun-maverick-far-outflies-its-predecessor) ## Variety — Peter Debruge Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 13 May 2022. The critic declares the film more than merits its existence as a barrier-breaking sequel that pushes cinema's limits with real aerial footage. It singles out the immersive practical flying sequences and Tom Cruise's commitment for praise. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2022/film/reviews/top-gun-maverick-review-tom-cruise-1235263820/) ## The Telegraph Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 27 May 2022. The review praises the film as thrilling and moving, highlighting Cruise's return and the exciting flight sequences as the best studio action film in years. It notes the surprisingly emotional plot alongside the high-octane action. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/top-gun-maverick-review-tom-cruise-makes-absurdly-exciting-return/) ## Total Film Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 12 May 2022. A thunderously enjoyable blockbuster that hits its targets of nostalgia and adrenaline without cynicism. It offers on-point sentiment, scintillating set-pieces, and Cruise at his best in expertly crafted action. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/top-gun-maverick-review/) ## Radio Times Rating 4/5. 12 May 2022. It is described as a brilliant blockbuster that betters the original through greater emotional depth in character dynamics and exhilarating practical aerial stunts. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/top-gun-maverick-review/) ## The i Paper — Geoffrey Macnab Rating 4/5. 13 May 2022. A breathtaking sequel that defies cynicism and confirms Cruise as a blockbuster leader. It builds on the original with wit and grace, focusing on mission, relationships, and spectacular aerial photography in an old-fashioned celebration of courage. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/top-gun-maverick-review-tom-cruise-1628097) ## Time Out — Phil de Semlyen Rating 4/5. 12 May 2022. The review calls it a crowd-thrilling sequel that surpasses the original, crediting exhilarating aerial sequences, fresh screenplay elements, and Cruise's performance while noting a sagging middle. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/top-gun-maverick-2021) ## Screen Daily Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 12 May 2022. The film attempts to blend wistful nostalgia with escapist thrills but struggles to balance tones; Cruise's roguish charm and the nostalgic pleasures are singled out positively. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/top-gun-maverick-review/5170354.article) ## The New York Times — A.O. Scott Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 26 May 2022. The critic sees the film confidently affirming the enduring appeal of its high-flying heroics with aggressive swagger. It singles out Tom Cruise's nimble, cocky, boyish charm for praise while questioning the relevance of such stories amid advancing drone technology. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/26/movies/top-gun-maverick-review.html) ## Sight and Sound — Kim Newman Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 19 May 2022. The critic notes the film's nostalgic appeal and Cruise's enduring charisma alongside its contrived plot and soapy subplots that verge on spoof. Aerial stunt work and real-plane footage are highlighted as strengths. [Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/top-gun-maverick-shows-tom-cruise-can-still-get-his-rockets) ## Collider — Ross Bonaime Rating A. 12 May 2022. The critic calls it one of Tom Cruise's greatest blockbusters and likely the best action film of 2022. They single out the tense, escalating aerial action sequences shot with real planes as a standout achievement. [Read the review](https://collider.com/top-gun-maverick-review-tom-cruise-joseph-kosinski/) ## Deadline — Pete Hammond Fi1m's normalised score 95/100 (inferred from the text). 12 May 2022. The critic calls the film a splendid sequel that tops the original in every way, anchored by Cruise's all-knowing performance and an emotional storyline. The real, non-CGI aerial sequences stand out as genuine movie magic. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/video/top-gun-maverick-review-tom-cruise-sequel/) ## Polygon — Oli Welsh Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 12 May 2022. The critic finds it a better and nicer film than the original, cementing Cruise as a blockbuster auteur. They single out the astounding practical aerial action sequences as the highlight. [Read the review](https://www.polygon.com/23068332/top-gun-maverick-review-tom-cruise/) ## Den of Geek — Don Kaye Rating 3.5 out of 5. 12 May 2022. The film is a fan-friendly legacy sequel that checks all the expected boxes with returning stars and high-stakes action, while delivering engaging summer spectacle even for those indifferent to the original. The critic singles out the stunning practical aerial sequences for praise as the film's true highlight. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/top-gun-maverick-review-tom-cruise/) ## NME — Mark Beaumont Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 12 May 2022. The sequel delivers exactly the airborne thrills and military heroics its audience wants in an entertaining blockbuster ride, but remains brainless with no philosophical depth or moral complexity. The critic singles out the breathtaking G-Force aerial sequences for praise while noting the plot's Rocky-style training formula and lack of evolution. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/film-reviews/top-gun-maverick-review-tom-cruise-miles-teller-3224047) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/top-gun-maverick.md