The year 2020 brought unprecedented global change due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The repercussions of illness, loss, and widespread closures continue to be felt, with many facing challenges in returning to traditional office environments nearly three years later. It was also the year Top Gun: Maverick was finalized, the long-awaited sequel to the 1986 film that solidified Tom Cruise‘s status as a global icon, a sequel that, according to Cruise himself, would only materialize if one could “hit a bullet with a bullet.”
Following the tragic loss of the original director, Tony Scott, in 2012, Joseph Kosinski, known for his work in commercials, took the helm. While his initial collaboration with Cruise, Oblivion, received a more muted reception, they have now achieved cinematic success with Top Gun: Maverick, a feat further enabled by Cruise’s collaboration with writing partner Christopher McQuarrie (writer of The Usual Suspects, and writer/director of the latest three Mission: Impossible films).
The narrative resumes 34 years later, finding Pete “Maverick” Mitchell as a test pilot pushing the boundaries of experimental aircraft, exceeding Mach 10 in the film’s opening sequence. He is subsequently ordered back to Top Gun to train a new generation of elite pilots for a highly challenging mission with limited preparation time. Along the way, he encounters Bradley Bradshaw (Goose’s son, portrayed by Miles Teller), the confident Hangman (Glen Powell), and rekindles connections with familiar faces, including a former love interest (now played by Jennifer Connelly).
Top Gun: Maverick exemplifies the kind of film that elevates the home cinema experience, offering speed, excitement, and exceptional audio-visual fidelity. The Ultra HD transfer is remarkably clean. Having been filmed on digital IMAX cameras in 6K, Maverick benefits from a native 4K transfer, resulting in a consistently sharp image. The Dolby Vision HDR implementation delivers vibrant colors and impressive dynamic range, particularly noticeable in the final act. The aspect ratio dynamically shifts between anamorphic 2.39:1 and IMAX (1.90:1), potentially making this one of the most visually stunning releases of 2022.
Complementing the visual excellence is a reference-grade sound design. The Dolby Atmos track immerses the viewer in the aerial combat sequences, while nuanced musical cues enhance the dramatic impact of key scenes. Dialogue is consistently clear, and the sound mix demonstrates careful balance, evident in scenes such as the bar sequence. The bass response is noteworthy; systems with capable subwoofers will appreciate the low-frequency extension down to 10 Hz. While it may sound repetitive, the sound mixing here could also be considered among the best of 2022.
The supplemental material, however, proves to be less compelling. The absence of the 50-minute “A master-class with Tom Cruise” documentary (available on the US edition, recorded at Cannes 2022) is a notable omission. Instead, the package includes brief featurettes that resemble promotional material, along with music videos that may primarily appeal to fans of One Direction. Given that UHD 4K editions are often targeted towards collectors, distributors should prioritize enriching these releases with content that adds genuine value for dedicated film enthusiasts.
Top Gun: Maverick represents a significant cinematic achievement, driven by its exceptional entertainment value and the leadership of Tom Cruise as both lead actor and producer. In 2020, with cinemas facing an uncertain future, major studios explored streaming releases for their high-profile projects. Cruise, as producer, advocated for a theatrical release for Maverick, a decision that ultimately proved prescient. Similar to how No Time to Die helped revitalize cinemas in the fall of 2021, Top Gun: Maverick has played a crucial role in reigniting the global cinema experience, earning over a billion dollars and becoming the highest-grossing film of 2022.
In conclusion, Top Gun: Maverick is an exceptional film presented in a near-flawless Ultra HD edition, making it a highly recommended addition to any film collection.
SF Studios provided the review copy for this evaluation. The origin of review materials has no bearing on our editorial independence. Our assessments are conducted objectively, with our readership and consumers as our primary focus.
