After more than 30 years of service as a top naval aviator, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise) is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as 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 it.

For in-depth thoughts on Top Gun: Maverick, please see my colleague Dom Fisher’s review from its original theatrical release here.

Video Quality

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray of Top Gun: Maverick offers a miraculous display of quality that is a tremendous feast for the eyes, but the exact level of improvement is difficult to judge given this release does not come with a Blu-Ray. The level of detail on display is downright uncanny, as you can see some of the most minute textures imaginable within the production design and on costumes. Skin tones appear incredibly natural with healthy doses of crisp detail apparent on faces such as pores and makeup. The increased range of the color spectrum is likewise pretty mind blowing with this feature. The Dolby Vision and HDR enriches the colors to unbelievable heights when it comes to nuance and vibrancy. Just take a look at any of the breathtaking environments throughout the film and be mesmerized.

The highlights in the film are impeccably defined with whites perfectly pure and balanced with no instances of blooming to be found. Elements in the film taking place at night or in shadows are vivid and finely delineated. The black levels are as deep as you would hope, staying deep and inky with great detail. Objects retain their edges even in the most murky environments with ease. This 4K UHD presentation really delivers on all fronts including strong showings in clarity and color. While there is no doubt the Blu-Ray is great, Paramount has provided audiences with one of the finest 4K UHD presentations on the market with this one.

Audio Quality

This disc comes equipped with the Dolby Atmos presentation of your dreams which will knock you on your ass and have you begging for mercy. From the opening, you can tell the soundscape is set to deliver an all-encompassing experience suitable for an action blockbuster of this scale. The momentous effects, gunfire and explosions provide an immersive soundscape that kicks in throughout all the speakers. Few things are as thrilling as hearing the aircrafts zoom by, around and overhead. Sounds are rendered with precise directionality from the copious kinetic action scenes to interpersonal moments of dialogue.

Ambient details are plentiful and quite satisfying in the rear and overhead channels. The overhead channels often take on a substantial amount of information while working in tandem with the other channels, which adds a nice sense of space to the mix. The low end is engaged in a really impactful way that will have your house shaking off of its foundation. Musical cues and the triumphant score envelope the room with an immediacy. Dialogue is presented perfectly clear without ever being overwhelmed by any of the competing sonic elements. If you do not have an Atmos setup, this is the type of movie that makes you want to invest in one.

Special Features

Cleared For Take Off: A nine-minute featurette which explores the immense dedication Tom Cruise had to make a sequel worthy of the original, filming things in a practical manner, the rigorous training undertaken by the cast and more.

Breaking New Ground – Filming Top Gun: Maverick: An eight-minute piece which takes a look at the massive undertaking of getting this film made, finding new ways to capture aviation footage, the obstacles that were presented during filming and more.

A Love Letter To Aviation: A five-minute look at Tom Cruise’s love for aviation and the filming of the P-51 sequences.

Forging The Darkstar: A nearly eight-minute look at the groundbreaking new aircraft showcased in the film, how it impacts the narrative and characters, the design of the craft, the experiences of shooting with it and more.

Masterclass with Tom Cruise – Cannes Film Festival: A terrific 49-minute conversation with Tom Cruise from this year’s Cannes Film Festival in which he excitedly discusses the film and his career at large in a way that is a bit guarded but entertaining nonetheless.

“Hold My Hand” Lady Gaga Music Video: The four-minute music video is provided here.

“I Ain’t Worried” OneRepublic Music Video: The two-and-a-half music video is provided here.

Final Thoughts

Top Gun: Maverick may be a new benchmark for how a sequel should complement and build upon the legacy of its predecessor. It is clear that Tom Cruise and director Joseph Kosinski have put an intense amount of care into making this story soar and shatter all expectations. The action scenes are some of the most thrilling we have seen committed to screen, and the emotional catharsis really delivers in the way that sends you off into the world on cloud 9. This is what audiences deserve from blockbuster studio filmmaking. Paramount Home Entertainment has released a 4K UHD Blu-Ray with a 5-star A/V presentation and a fine array of supplemental features. This is a terrific addition to any collection. Highly Recommended

Top Gun: Maverick will be available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-Ray, Blu-Ray and DVD on November 1, 2022. The film is currently available on Digital.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Paramount Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.