I saw the original movie with my sister in 1986. As a 12 year old boy, it defined what I wanted to be in the future. I idolized Maverick. I must have watched the original at least 20 times. I used the original soundtrack to stimulate emotions of passion and athletic drive. By 17, I was compared to Tom Cruise's appearance constantly. I even took a trip to The Naval Academy and illegally sat in the cockpit of a F-14, on a Norfolk Air Base, thanks to my best friends beautiful mother, who persuaded an officer with access. My life was not meant to take the path of an aviator. I wish that it had now at 47 years old, having made profound mistakes and being mostly compared now to Jason Statham. Top Gun Maverick is emotional for me. It touches on the things that are important in a man's life today. It depicts how we should address what we will never have enough of. Time