The aerial sequences in the movie are undeniably impressive, showcasing incredible flying scenes. However, apart from these thrilling moments, the rest of the film falls short. Ed Harris has only a brief appearance, more of a cameo than a substantial role. Val Kilmer's scene is cringe-worthy, and Jennifer Connelly's character feels like a half-hearted love interest that the film could have done without. It's unclear if she's meant to fill the Kelly McGillis role from the original movie, given the similarities in her house and car.

The plot revolves around a mission that is so implausible it makes the entire movie seem somewhat absurd. The new cast of pilots lacks the depth and charm of the original, with characters that feel flat and uninteresting. Tom Cruise's performance as Maverick, still haunted by his buddy Goose's death after 35 years, seems a bit overplayed. Jon Hamm, typically a likable actor, appears uncomfortable as Maverick's strict commander.

There's a beach football scene intended to echo the iconic volleyball scene from the first movie, but it comes across as forced. Despite these criticisms, the flying scenes, which make up around 15% of the total runtime, are incredibly well-executed. It's evident that the actors were in the planes for at least some of the shots, and the minimal use of CGI is commendable. However, when these scenes are removed, what remains is a movie that falls short of expectations.