I can see brief nods to the original film, but...I can't see "Iceman' as a sad old sack, or "Goose" just as a brief mention. There is also no nod to "Charlie", or to Goose's wife, Carole.

The only genuinely heartfelt part of this film seems to be the closing credit sequence. If they had built this movie on just that alone, I would have true respect for it.

This could have been a really decent film if they had given the supporting cast, the younger actors, free reign. Rooster and Hangman were rediculously overshadowed by Maverick.

If they had maybe written in a character as Maverick's illegimate son who turns out to be a crack pilot, that could have breathed life into this somewhat shallow story.

Hey JJ Abrams-are you busy right now??