I had the great fortune to be peripherally involved in the making of the original, so I had a great deal of attachment to that movie. I was prepared to like the sequel but expected no more. My wife and I saw it earlier this week and were both amazed at how much we liked it. It was one of the best movies I have seen in decades - great plot, good acting, and flying scenes that will knock your socks off. My hat is off to Tom Cruise (who I met while making the first movie) for getting people like me back in a theatre.