BLU-RAY REVIEW

Top Gun: Maverick 4K Ultra HD

Featured In Issue 264, November/December 2022

Picture5
Sound5
Immersive4.5
WSR Score5
Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
(Studio/Distributor):
Paramount Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number):
3992129738
(MPAA Rating):
PG-13
(Rating Reason):
Sequences of intense action, and some strong language
(Retail Price):
$37.99
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-100)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
(Running Time In Minutes):
131
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
ABC
(Theatrical Year):
(Theatrical Release):
Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release):
No
(Disc Release Date):
10/31/2022
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
(Director):
Joseph Kosinski
(Screenplay/Written By):
(Story):
(Music):
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer):
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor):
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers):
(Co-Producers):
(Producers):
(Academy Awards):
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
(Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
(Disc Soundtrack):
Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD 7.1
(Theatrical Sound):
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(DTS Bit Rate):
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
(Additional Languages):
(Subtitles):

In "Top Gun: Maverick," after more than 30 years of service as a top naval aviator, Pete "Maverick" Mitchell (Tom Cruise) is where he belongs, pushing the envelope a a courageous test pilot. Yet, Maverick must confront the ghosts of his past when he returns to TOP GUN to train a group of elite graduates and comes face-to-face with lt. Bradshaw (Miles Teller), the son of his former wingman, "Goose". Bitter rivalries ignite as the pilots prepare for a specialized mission, which will require the ultimate sacrifice from those chosen to fly. (Gary Reber)

Special features include five featurettes: "Cleared For Takeoff" (HD 09:15). "Breaking New Ground––Filming Top Gun: Maverick" (HD 07:56), "A Love Letter To Aviation" (HD 04:48), "Forging The Darkstar" (HD 07:31) and "Masterclass With The Crew––Cannes Film Festival" (HD 49:04); "Hold My Hand" Lady Gaga music video (HD 03:52); "I Ain't Worried" Onerepublic music video (HD 02:37) and a digital copy.

The 2.39:1/1.90:1 2160p HEVC/H.265 Ultra HD Dolby Viion/HDR10 picture, reviewed on a Sony Bravia Z9D 4K Ultra HD HDR display, was digitally photographed for IMAX using the Sony CineAlta Venice IMAX and Sony CineAlta Venice Rialto IMAX camera systems and sourced from a 4K master Digital Intermediate format.

The framing of the imagery exhibits shifting aspect ratios. The imagery exhibits sharpness and naturalness throughout. Color fidelity is superb with nuanced hue shadings that enhance realism. Colors are nicely saturated yet natural . Flesh tones are perfectly natural. HDR contrast is superb with natural black levels and revealing shadow delineation. White levels are also natural and enhance the realism, especially during the jet fighter flying sequences. Resolution is excellent with fine intricate detail exhibited in facial features such as skin pores, lines, beard stubble, hair and even makeup. Clothing detail is vivid. Objects are clearly detailed, such as fighter plane instruments in the cockpit. This is a wonderfully sharp and clear picture that will thrill fans of Top Gun. (Gary Reber)

The Dolby Atmos/Dolby TrueHD 7.1-channel soundtrack delivers a dynamic presence from subtle sound cues to thunderous bass. Deep bass extends to sub-25 Hz, especially during jet fighter sequences. The orchestral/choral score is fluid with a variety of moods that provide support for the various scenes. Atmospherics are very realistic. Sound effects are often intense such as during the fighter plane action. Gunfire lis intense during the fighter jet exchanges in battle. Dialogue is intelligible throughout with often excellent spatial integration. Surround energy is intense and aggressive with directionality occurring in all channels. Foley sound effects are precise and realistic.

the Immersive Sound element is comprised of an extension of the orchestral/choral score as well as numerous sound effects of fighter jet sounds screaming through the height layer, Various voices from a control facility are heard at times as well as the din of a bar and singing. A helicopter attack. Rocket pans and explosions. This is an effective height layer experience that enhances spatial dimensionality.

This is a spectacular holosonic® spherical surround soundtrack that is wonderfully dynamic sounding. (Gary Reber)