Top Gun: Maverick Blu-ray Review
“Top Gun: Maverick” is a high-flying sequel.
In this sequel to the Ridley Scott directed 1986 “Top Gun,” “Top Gun: Maverick” finds the US Navy Captain working as a test pilot, but his career plans take a turn when he is assigned to train a group of Top Gun graduates (which includes the son of his deceased friend Goose who goes by the codename Rooster) to embark on a mission to destroy a uranium plant. This new job isn’t exactly easy as Maverick has to prove himself to his trainees (who don’t all get along), confront Rooster about past issues, and deal with a hardass Commander (Cyclone). While all of this is going on, Maverick finds himself falling for a former flame (Penny).
Making a sequel decades after the original doesn’t always pay off (“Dumb And Dumber To” still haunts me), but in the case of “Top Gun: Maverick,” the wait and numerous delays were worth it. It’s no secret that this sequel took the world by storm in 2022 as it smashed expectations and became a box office juggernaut. It’s not hard to see why as this blockbuster sequel is arguably better than the original. This is the type of crowd pleasing movie (and sequel) that really should be the blueprint for studios. The sequel adds more depth and growth to the character of Maverick, the action is high stakes, there’s heart to the movie (especially with the moving inclusion of Val Kilmer playing Iceman again), there’s humor, there’s romance, and there is, of course, the REAL aerial footage which is intense and breathtaking. There’s CGI in this movie to be sure, but seeing lots of genuine aerial action is a true cinematic thrill. This is especially evident in the final half-hour which really elevates the movie as a whole. Writers Ehren Kruger, Eric Warren Singer and Christopher McQuarrie and director Joseph Kosinski (who is no stranger to sequels having helmed the underrated “Tron: Legacy”) deserve a ton of credit for their work here. They made something that really resonated with audiences and they showed audiences what a sequel can be in the right hands.
The cast and characters are top notch here. It’s clear from the get go that this was a passion project for Tom Cruise and he gives it all whether he’s in the air or engaging in a dramatic scene with another character. As mentioned above, Val Kilmer’s return is deeply emotional and is one of the best parts of the film. It was great to see the actor on screen again. Miles Teller fits into the franchise nicely as Rooster. He has particularly great chemistry with Cruise. Glen Powell shines as the jerk with a heart (Hangman) as does Jon Hamm as Cyclone. Monica Barbaro (Phoenix) and Jennifer Connelly (Penny) both deliver noteworthy performances in their respective roles.
If “Top Gun: Maverick” has any shortcomings, it’s that it goes a bit too overboard with the callbacks to the original (particularly in the first half). Seeing Rooster play the Piano like Goose was a little much even if the scene had a significance.
Video/Audio:
Presentation: 2.39:1 and 1.90:1 1080p. How does it look? To no surprise, this is a pristine hi-def transfer. Note: This title is also available on 4K.
Audio Track: Dolby Atmos. How does it sound? A film like this requires the best possible audio experience on Blu-ray and it gets it. The fighter plane action is simply dynamic.
Extras:
* Digital copy
* Music videos for Lady Gaga’s “Hold My Hand” and OneRepublic’s “I Ain’t Worried.”
* “Cleared For Take Off”- A revealing behind-the-scenes look at the testing and flight training the cast went through.
* “Breaking New Ground- Filming Top Gun: Maverick”- A short but insightful making of featurette with interviews, set footage, and how sequences were filmed.
* “A Love Letter To Aviation” explores Tom Cruise’s love of flying (including tidbits about his own plane which is featured in the film).
* “Forging The Darkstar”- A featurette about the aircraft featured in the movie.
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