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Top Gun: Maverick (4K UHD Blu-ray) review

Top Gun: Maverick (4K UHD Blu-ray) review
« on: October 24, 2022, 09:11:02 PM »


Studio: Paramount
Release Date: November 1, 2022
Rating: PG-13
Film: 5/5
 
Plot
 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.
  
 My Thoughts

The #1 movie of the year hits 4K UHD and Blu-ray just in time for the holidays. I originally saw this film in theaters back in May of this year and absolutely LOVED IT! I told everyone I knew to be sure to see it on the biggest screen with the best sound because the experience was nearly as good as the actual film, which is pretty damn entertaining.
 
Fortunately, I’ve been reviewing a Kaleidescape system for Sound & Vision and have had the movie on that system since August and watched it three more times with friends and family—and it’s still enjoyable after so many viewings in such a short period of time. That says something about the entertainment aspect of the film.
 
As a teenager, I LOVED Top Gun and saw it multiple times in the theater. In fact, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen the original over the years. Quick backstory, my grandfather retired from the Air Force as a Colonel and his last station was at Miramar—the real-life location of Top Gun, so I have fond memories visiting the base as a kid. In fact, I got to sit in a F-15 and always dreamed of becoming a fighter pilot myself. Only thing is, I get severe motion sickness and I guess the Air Force frowns on you yacking all over the instrument panel.
 
This film doesn’t contain a very original story and in a lot of ways it’s a rehash of the first movie, but it’s the execution that makes this so damn entertaining. The cast of characters are a fun group, but the aerial battles are jaw-droppingly good and when you couple that with one of the best A/V presentations you’ll ever see, it’s easy to see why this film has set so many records.  
 
Video 10/10
 
Audio 10/10 (Dolby Atmos)
 
Special Features:
  • Cleared for Take Off
  • Breaking New Ground – Filming Top Gun: Maverick
  • A Love Letter To Aviation
  • Forging the Darkstar
  • Masterclass with Tom Cruise – Cannes Film Festival
  • “Hold My Hand” – Lady Gaga Music Video
  • “I Ain’t Worried” – OneRepublic Music Video
  • Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One Teaser Trailer
  • Movies Anywhere Digital Copy
 

 
Conclusion
If you can’t tell, I really like this movie A LOT and plan to enjoy it for many more years. Cruise is on the top of his game, and I tip my hat to him for forcing the studio to not release the film to streaming during the Pandemic. He knew he has a major hit on his hands that needed to be in theaters to fully enjoy the experience the film offers. While it’s great in my own personal theater, I have to admit that seeing the flight sequences on the big screen of my local cineplex is much more immersive, but I like the audio in my theater a lot more. I can’t recommend this film highly enough.
 
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 88” 16x9 Fixed Screen
Trinnov Altitude 16 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-990
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
M&K Sound X15+ Subwoofer
Dual JL Audio F-110 (stacked and treated as one sub)
Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner
Blu-ray Reviewer / Technical Writer
Sound & Vision Magazine

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Re: Top Gun: Maverick (4K UHD Blu-ray) review
« Reply #1 on: October 25, 2022, 07:36:26 AM »
Ha! Just watched this again last night. Such a great movie. And agreed the presentation is literally perfect! One of the best atmos/bass soundtracks to date. And super crisp colorful video

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Re: Top Gun: Maverick (4K UHD Blu-ray) review
« Reply #2 on: October 25, 2022, 02:59:03 PM »
Cool connection you have to a great movie, David!

I can't wait to see this. Rewatched the first on 4K BD a week before release, with my wife who'd never seen it. (I love the aerial stuff but the rest is just ok to cheesy.) I bought tickets for me and a friend to see it in the theater, and totally f'd up and bought the day before we planned to go. Showed up and there was actually a private showing going on so we couldn't even finesse our way in somehow. I was so PO'd at myself I didn't try again... then the disk release has taken ages to come out after streaming availability... been waiting patiently for too long!

Re: Top Gun: Maverick (4K UHD Blu-ray) review
« Reply #3 on: October 25, 2022, 04:00:21 PM »
Great review! I saw this movie in the movie theater and enjoyed it tremendously. My wife missed it in the theaters so we watched the Apple iTunes 4K version. It was nice and streaming has come a long way since the early days, but still short of Kaleidescape and Ultra HD. So, I just had to order the Ultra HD, which won't be available until 10/31. I use Plex to rip all my Ultra HD. However, a really nice advantage of Kaleidescape, as you point out, is it's earlier availability. While streaming is nice for many movies, having a no-compromises quality to blockbuster movies like Top Gun: Maverick is really nice. 

I have a MadVR envy, and it's automatic aspect ratio switching is extremely fast. In fact, I didn't even notice it was switching until late into the movie!

Re: Top Gun: Maverick (4K UHD Blu-ray) review
« Reply #4 on: October 25, 2022, 07:42:01 PM »
I did a K-scape review as well for S&V:  https://www.soundandvision.com/content/top-gun-maverick-0
Blu-ray Reviewer / Technical Writer
Sound & Vision Magazine

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