Blu-ray Review: TOP GUN: MAVERICK

Home » Blu-ray Review: TOP GUN: MAVERICK

Oct 30, 2022 Posted by Kyle Nolan in DVD/Blu-ray, Reviews | Comments

Top Gun: Maverick is the follow-up to the 1986 film Top Gun. When we last saw Captain Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell (Tom Cruise), he was headed to become a TOPGUN instructor, helping the next generation of pilots train at the elite Navy fighter weapons school. However, it turns out that that only lasted two months. For the past 30+ years Maverick has stayed with the Navy, bouncing from position to position, but never getting a promotion. He’s currently a test pilot for a next generation hypersonic jet, but once again fails to follow orders and is about to be grounded for good, until old friend Adm. Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky (Val Kilmer) steps in and has him reassigned back to TOPGUN, where he is expected to train a group of 12 elite graduates who have been recalled for a top secret mission. Adm. Beau ‘Cyclone’ Simpson (Jon Hamm) isn’t very happy about about the assignment, and would get rid of Maverick the first chance he gets.

A hostile foreign nation has established an unsanctioned uranium enrichment plant, and a Navy strike team will be sent to take it out before it becomes fully operational. The only problem is that the plant lies deep in a valley that is heavily guarded by GPS jammers, surface missiles, and other aircraft. Maverick has just three weeks to train the 12 recruits and select 6 to partake in this nearly impossible mission—one that likely not everyone will return home from. Maverick still hasn’t fully gotten over the loss of his wingman Goose over 30 years ago, so seeing that Goose’s son, Lt. Bradley ‘Rooster’ Bradshaw (Miles Teller), is among the recruits puts him on edge. Rooster also still holds a grudge against Maverick for his father’s death, among other things, telling Maverick, “My dad believed in you. I’m not going to make the same mistake.” However, if they’re going to have any chance of completing this mission, Maverick and Rooster are going to have to find a way to move on and work together.

Top Gun: Maverick does an excellent job recapturing the spirit of the original movie, as well as finding a natural and emotionally satisfying way to continue the story of these characters. The film primarily focuses on Maverick, who’s at a crossroads in his life. He’s had so many second chances in his career thanks to his old friend who’s been looking out for him, but this reassignment back to TOPGUN is truly his final chance. Either he takes this assignment or he’s grounded for good. Being back at TOPGUN, Mav is forced to confront his past, still missing and feeling guilty over the loss of his old friend Goose. Over the years he’s tried to do what’s right for Goose’s son, Rooster, but now as he trains him for a possible suicide mission, he worries that he might be be responsible for Rooster’s death as well. Meanwhile, Maverick also reunites with old flame Penny (Jennifer Connelly), who now owns the local bar. While she’s happy to see Pete, she’s also wary of starting back up a relationship with a man who has a tendency to disappear.

The filmmakers have done a nice job of paralleling the first film in several ways, primarily with the recruits. There’s this rivalry between the cocky Lt. Jake ‘Hangman’ Seresin (Glen Powell) and Rooster that mirrors the rivalry between Iceman and Maverick from the first movie. The recruits are also all eager to prove themselves to Maverick, who they initially see as an old has-been, but quickly discover that hes legendary for a reason. There are also other fun callbacks to the original movie, such as the Great Balls of Fire bar piano scene and the iconic Volleyball scene.

Top Gun: Maverick really amps up the action and excitement from the first film, putting the actors in actual jets in the air, filming everything practically. While much of the film is presented in a cinematic 2.39:1 aspect ratio, the aerial sequences are opened up to 1.90:1, providing an intense, more-immersive experience. You can tell these actors are actually up in the air, with gravity pulling on their faces, while also surrounded with some breathtaking views. The aerial combat sequences and maneuvers look amazing. I can’t imagine the insurance policies and/or waivers that had to be signed to make this film!

Paramount has released the film on both 4K Ultra HD as well as Blu-ray. While were sent the Blu-ray version for review, the picture looks phenomenal, and I can’t image how the 4K disc could possibly look better. The video is nearly immaculate, with a clean, crisp picture. Whether it’s the sweat and pores on faces, or the scratches on a cockpit window, the level of detail is excellent. The colors also look beautiful, from the bright blue sky to the orange glow of the sun to the white snowy mountains, even as jets speed by, the natural setting remains beautiful and detailed. The Atmos soundtrack is equally as impressive, from the booming of the jet engines, to the immersive sounds of jets whizzing by or flying overhead. The film’s iconic score fills the room, while dialogue still remains clear throughout.

The Blu-ray disc comes packed in a standard HD keepcase, with a cardboard slipcover, and an insert with redemption instructions for a digital copy of the film. The digital copy is not Movies Anywhere compatible, but offers Apple TV or Vudu redeems, and the apple redeem will give 4K even from the Blu-ray. The disc contains over 30 minutes of bonus material, including several interesting behind-the-scenes featurettes as well as 2 music videos. There are also 3 other features that appear on the digital copy, including a 49-minute Cannes Film Festival discussion with Tom Cruise, a fun 26-minute adventure with Cruise taking James Cordon on a flight, and a sneak peek at the upcoming Mission: Impossible film.

What’s Included:

Film: (2:10:14)

Blu-ray:

1080p / Widescreen 2.39:1/1.90:1
Audio: English Dolby Atmos, English Audio Description, Spanish (Spain) 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish (Latin America) 5.1 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, French (Canadian) 5.1 Dolby Digital, Portuguese (Brazil) 5.1 Dolby Digital
Subtitles: English, English SDH, Danish, Spanish (Spain), Spanish (Latin America), French, French (Canadian), Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese (Brazil), Finnish, Swedish

Digital:

Digital Copy redeemable via Apple TV or Vudu (redeems in 4K on Apple, not Movies Anywhere compatible)
Code subject to expiration, may not be valid after 11/1/2024

Extras:
There are a few bonus features that are only included on the digital copy, not the disc. These are noted with a * below.

Cleared For Take Off (9:15)
The cast and crew talk about shooting the film practically, with the cast actually filming in F-18 jets, the intense water survival and aviation training programming the actors went through, and more. Includes behind-the-scenes footage, and interviews with producer/writer Christopher McQuarrie, producer Jerry Bruckheimer, producer Tom Cruise (“Maverick”), director Joseph Kosinski, Naval aviation technical advisor/aerial coordinator Capt. Brian “Ferg” Ferguson, and stars Monica Barbaro (“Phoenix”), Jay Ellis (“Payback”), Lewis Pullman (“Bob”), Miles Teller (“Rooster”), Greg Tarzan Davis (“Coyote”) & Danny Ramirez (“Fanboy”).
Breaking New Ground – Filming Top Gun: Maverick (7:56)
The cast and crew talk about pushing the boundaries to technology to give the audience an immersive experience. They discuss the new camera technology developed for the film, the actors filming and directing their own scenes in the air, choreographing the aerial sequences, and more.
Includes behind-the-scenes footage, and interviews with producer/writer Christopher McQuarrie, producer Tom Cruise, producer Jerry Bruckheimer, director Joseph Kosinski, TOPGUN commanding officer Cdr Chris “Pops” Papaioanu, ‘A’ first assistant director Danny Ming, aerial coordinator/lead camera helicopter/camera jet pilot Kevin LaRosa Jr., and stars Jay Ellis, Miles Teller, Lewis Pullman, Glen Powell (“Hangman”) & Monica Barbaro.
A Love Letter To Aviation (4:48)
The cast and crew talk about Tom Cruise’s passion for aviation and flying, his personal P-51 Mustang he flies in the film, and more.
Includes behind-the-scenes footage, and interviews with producer Tom Cruise, producer Jerry Bruckheimer, producer/writer Christopher McQuarrie, instructor/technical advisor Steve Hinton, director of photography Claudio Miranda, aerial coordinator/lead camera helicopter/camera jet pilot Kevin LaRosa Jr., and stars Monica Barbaro, Charles Parnell (“Warlock”) & Jennifer Connelly (“Penny”).
Forging The Darkstar (7:31)
The cast and crew discuss where Maverick is at the opening of the movie, the next-level experimental hypersonic aircraft specially designed for the movie, filming at the China Lake secret test facility, and more. Includes behind-the-scenes footage, concept artwork, and interviews with producer Tom Cruise, director Joseph Kosinski, producer Jerry Bruckheimer, producer/writer Christopher McQuarrie, Lockhee Martin engineer Becky Janshego, VP of customer relquirements at Skunk Works Jack O’Banion, lead vehicle designer Daniel Simon, art director Ron Mendell, production designer Jeremy Hindle, and actor Bashir Salahuddin (“Hondo”).
“Hold My Hand” Lady Gaga Music Video (3:52)
“I Ain’t Worried” OneRepublic Music Video (2:37)
Masterclass with Tom Cruise – Cannes Film Festival* (49:04)
Tom Cruise takes the stage at the 75^th Cannes Film Festival to discuss his long career. Digital-only feature for Blu-ray, included on disc for 4K UHD release.
Mission Impossible & Dead Reckoning Part One With Introduction by Tom Cruise* (3:55)
First shown at CinemaCon, Tom Cruise provides a high altitude introduction before this sneak peek at the upcoming Mission: Impossible film.
James Cordon’s Top Gun Training with Tom Cruise — Extended Edition* (26:42)
Tom Cruise takes James Cordon in the air for some aerobatics in a fighter jet.

Final Thoughts:

My Rating

Film:

Video:

Audio:

Extras:

Must Own

Top Gun: Maverick is an excellent follow-up to the original film, which may ben even better than the original. I enjoyed it just as much if not more this second time around. It not only pays homage to the first film, but also provides an exciting, humorous and emotional next chapter for this iconic character. The film features an excellent cast, some absolutely amazing aerial footage that really tests the limits of filmmaking, and an interesting story. The disc features nearly flawless picture and sound, and the the disc comes packed with some really interesting behind-the-scenes looks at the making of the film. This is a must own for any fan of the original, but also for those looking for an entertaining and exciting movie.