I knew I was excited to see the Top Gun sequel and I knew that I would love watching it despite its predecessor’s unimpressive script, but what I didn’t expect was that this would turn out to be the best movie I’ve seen this year.

And that is not an exaggeration.

There’s a lot of hype for the movie, which is quite understandable. The clamor for a follow up to Tom Cruise’s 1986 hit has followed the actor for years, and now that it’s finally here, fans of the first flick are more than excited. And since we’ve been seeing remakes and sequels in the last decade, now seems to be the perfect time to for Top Gun’s turn.

One question most people ask is if they need to see the 1986 movie so they can appreciate Maverick. I say it’s highly recommended but not required. Why?

If this is the first time you’re seeing Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, don’t worry. Thanks to a solid script from Ehren Kruger, Eric Warren Singer, and Christopher McQuarrie, it’s easy to understand the backstory. There are lots of references in here that would help new viewers–and fans–understand who Pete is and why his character is so beloved by many.

But if you have time, I say watch Top Gun before seeing this because it would make the viewing experience a lot more enjoyable once you start seeing those nods to the original.

It’s evident how much Joseph Kosinski reveres the first movie as soon as the first few frames appear on the screen. Nostalgia seems to be a major driving force in the execution of a lot of scenes and in the way the story was delivered. And we love it.

The first scene is very reminiscent of the first film–from what you’ll see on the screen to the way the opening credits were plastered and in the musical score used. And as each scene unfolds, you’ll see more and more nods to the first film.

The excitement isn’t confined to fan service, fortunately. Maverick has improved a lot in terms of plot, which managed to strike the perfect balance between giving the audience a look back at Pete’s history and presenting the current state where Pete is now a highly decorated pilot who hasn’t climbed up the ranks after decades of service. While he remains without rank, compared to his former rival, Tom “Iceman” Kazansky, who is now the commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pete relishes his life.

Until life throws a curveball and forces Pete to reconcile the mistakes of his past with his future.

To be perfectly blunt, the first Top Gun had a bland plot. Its script was nowhere near impressive. It just so happened that the movie had a hunk as a top-biller, supported by an equally appealing cast. The movie was also groundbreaking, with stunts done by fighter planes. It had some of the best aerial footages.

However, there was nothing much in the story. It’s just a group of young men, flying planes.

Top Gun: Maverick was a complete turnaround. And maybe it’s because Pete’s character has become so well-loved over the years, there were lots of room to explore for his character’s future. The story was rich in drama, action, and even some comedy. Of course, there’s his love interest (interestingly a character that was only referenced to as a name in the first movie), but there’s so much more. Decades’ worth of emotions brought by guilt and sadness added more layers to Pete’s character. And these created conflicts for him especially when faced with a person from his past.

Weave that onto a more general background where their characters need to safeguard the nation’s safety–which added even more complications–and you’ll see these people navigate their individual storylines the same way they fly their planes: with excitement and fear, but with absolute passion in the face of uncertainty.

But what’s absolutely certain is that the technical aspect of the film is impeccable. The cinematography is impressive, especially when you consider the fact that these actors were actually flying the real thing while filming. They had to take real flying lessons to do the job.

The stunts are amazing. There’s this one scene where Cruise does a plane flip. And since there’s no CGI used in this movie, you can’t help but be in awe of the execution of the entire thing.

The level of honesty in which the filmmakers committed to pushed them to do everything the way they need to: with such raw passion.

The result? A movie that makes three decades’ worth of waiting worth it.

^{Photo credit: Paramount Pictures International}