Top Gun (UHD Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Paramount     
Release Date: May 19, 2020
Rating: PG-13
Film: 4.5/5

Plot
Tom Cruise stars as Lt. Peter Mitchell, call sign "Maverick," a young hot-shot pilot picked to attend the prestigious "Top Gun" flight school to hone his air-to-air combat skills. Also appearing are Val Kilmer as "Iceman," Anthony Edwards as Maverick's RIO (radar intercept officer) "Goose," and Tim Robbins as "Merlin." Rounding out the cast is Kelly McGillis as Charlotte "Charlie" Blackwood, a civilian instructor who is an expert on Russian aviation.

My Thoughts
Top Gun is one of my favorite movies from the 1980s, with its likable characters, outstanding action, and killer soundtrack. That doesn't mean it’s a deep, philosophical masterpiece—it isn't. It's a bunch of corny dialog interspersed with intense action involving fighter jets flying at the speed of sound. In addition, the relatively unknown cast (at that time) includes some actors who would go on to distinguished Hollywood careers. Tom Cruise was already a star by this point, but Top Gun made him a superstar at the tender age of 24.

The last few home video releases of this film have gotten better each time—except for the 3D version—what where they thinking? Regardless, the Blu-ray I reviewed over 10 years ago has been the gold standard to live up to and fortunately, the UHD is near perfect and the studio has done a commendable job with the HDR. Bright scenes really highlight the added headroom as sunlight nearly burns out your retinas and the lowlight scenes have added depth and dimension.

The Atmos track is quite good at making an 1980’s soundtrack sound like it was mixed last week. I’ve always loved the opening sequence to the film and this is definitely the best its ever sounded. The airplane scenes bustle with activity with overhead and panning effects that place you right in the middle of the action.


Video 9.75/10

Audio 9/10 (Dolby Atmos)

Special Features:

• The Legacy of Top Gun (*New)
• Ony Your Six – Thirty Years of Top Gun: Five-Part Production Feature (*New)
• Looking Back
• America’s Best
• Into the Danger Zone
• Goin Ballistic
• Narrow Targets and the Future
• Additional Legacy Supplements
• Blu-ray and Digital Copy

If you’ve seen the movie before, definitely watch the Honest Trailer. It’s LOL funny:




Conclusion
Almost everyone who came of age in the 1980s recalls this film, and many remember it fondly. Thankfully, it holds up well even though I’m 34 years older than the first time I saw it in theaters back in 1986—not all films from that era do. If you’re as big of fan as I am, definitely pick this one up because this is the best its ever looked or sounded. Highly recommended.     

Reference Review System:
 
 Reference Review System:
 JVC DLA-RS2000 4K Ultra High Definition Front Projector
 (Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
 Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 110” 2.35:1 Fixed Screen
 Anthem AVM60 Audio/Video Processor
 ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
 Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
 System Controller: URC MX-980
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
 Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
 SVS PC-Ultra Cylinder Subwoofer
 HSU VTF-15H MK2 Subwoofer
 JL Audio Fathom F110 Subwoofers x 2 (stacked)
JL Audio Dominion D110 Subwoofer x 2 (stacked)
Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
 Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
 PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner

[Barry]

For many years this Movie was constantly played at audio stores to impress people with the new technology of surroundsound. It was on all the time!

[AVSCraig]

Got it pre-ordered ! Can't wait. Watched the Blu-ray not too long ago.