Top Gun: Maverick – 4K Review
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Paramount Pictures | 2022
PG13 | 2hrs 10 min | Action
HD | 1080P | Dolby Atmos | Dolby TrueHD 7.1
Native 4K | 2160P | Dolby Vision | HDR10 | Dolby Atmos | Dolby TrueHD 7.1
Aspect Ratios: 2.39:1 | 1.90:1
Staring: Tom Cruise | Val Kilmer | Miles Teller | Jennifer Connelly | Bashir Salahuddin | Jon Hamm
Directed by: Joseph Kosinski
Ratings & Reviews
Please see here for my comments on reviewing movies.
My ratings are simple being marked out of a maximum of 5+. My reviews are biased towards the technical production aspects of the film with brief comments about the story line. Extras, sorry, that’s just not my ‘bag’.
So what did the 4K HDR10 video look like? Reference, and the 7.1 soundtrack? Also reference.
Entertainment: 5
Video: 5+
Audio: 5+
Technical Review – Native 4K UHD HDR10
Top Gun: Maverick was captured digitally in the Sony X-OCN ST format at 6.0K by cinematographer Claudio Miranda using Sony CineAlta Venice IMAX and Rialto IMAX cameras with Ziess Master Primo, Loxia Sigma FF High Speed, Voigtländer and Fujinon Premier lenses. It was finished as a 4K Digital Intermediate at the 2.39:1 and 1.90:1 aspect ratios and graded for HDR for this 4K release in both Dolby Vision and HDR10. This triple-layer BD100 disc has been well authored and shows no use of noise reduction or edge sharpening and no obvious compression artifacts or significant noise. The package also contains a redeemable digital code.
The image soars onto your screen as a reference HDR10 presentation. With the film shot in such a high resolution format, this 4K release has excellent overall image clarity with a dazzling display of crisp, razor sharp detail with refined texturing throughout. Objects, clothing, threads and facial close-ups provide excellent detail and definition. From the uniforms stitching, cockpit instrument dashboards to the packed bar and training materials. Facial pores, stubble, wrinkles, eyelashes, hair strands and features are all accurately rendered without any undue exaggerations. CGI and special effects integration are very good, having realistic textures, blending well with the real action shots and never looking soft. Effects like explosions, flying objects, debris and smoke are well integrated into the live action with no distractions.
Contrast balance was excellent throughout, from the brilliant uncompressed whites of the daylight exterior shots and the dazzling specular highlights to the deep and noise free inky blacks that showed excellent low level and shadow detail. Individual clouds, sunlight, various light sources, metallic objects, jet exhaust and explosions sparkle with a true-to-live realism. All creating a very good dynamic contrast range and enhancing visibility of objects in both exterior and interior shots, creating an excellent depth of image having a impressive three-dimensional quality almost as if “looking through a window” at the action.
The color palette presents with a solid array of vibrant colors. Color fidelity is excellent throughout with vivid and well saturated primaries and secondaries, all having good color depth and density, hues are bold and vibrant. From the blues in the monitor displays, the reds in the uniform patches, to the warmth of the many secondary hues of reddish orange, warm golds, strong yellows and hints of violet and cerulean blue in the many aerial shots of the sky. Skin tones and facial complexions throughout looked wonderfully natural having a rosy-peach glow.
This video is excellent on all fronts, providing a terrific HDR10 reference image.
Audio – Dolby TrueHD 7.1
Top Gun: Maverick roars into home theaters with an awesome, reference, Dolby Atmos mix that defaults to Dolby TrueHD 7.1 in my system. The soundtrack was thoroughly engaging whether during an emotional drama or an action scene having room shaking bass, clarity and dynamics.
The overall sound presentation is very dynamic, with outstanding sub involvement and surround action. The soundstage is wide, and surrounds are constantly active with ambience, directional cues and movement, delivering an active environment that drops the listener both into calm environments and action-packed sonic spectacles alike. Effects placement are accurate and natural, with plenty of movement in both the rear and side surrounds, together with the general environmental and room acoustics effects consistently pulling you into the many locals and environments, like the cockpits and Penny’s bar. From those quieter, dialogue-heavy sequences steeped in surrounding activity, to the roaring jets, gunfire, falling debris and cockpit sounds, both inside and out. All fill the surrounds pulling you into the scene and keeping you “in the mix”.
Sub action is stellar and wall rattling, having the serious, low-end, hard hitting extension that this movie deserves. Fully supporting the roar of the jet engines, missiles, sonic booms, explosions and impactful gunfire, digging all the way down to the 10/12Hz regions. Imaging continuously feels broad and expansive following the action as it moves on and off-screen. Dialogue is always crystal clear and well detailed with an outstanding mid-range and solid front-center imaging and prioritization, providing good clarity and detail no matter how loud and aggressive the action.
Flushing out the soundscape and supporting the movie throughout its entire length, the films score, composed by Lorne Balfe, Harold Faltermeyer, Lady Gaga, and Hans Zimmer offers a good supportive mix, being seamlessly immersive, perfectly clear, and presented with great bass. Hitting a good balance between the dialogue and effects the score provides a light spill into the surrounds and very good integration within the soundstage.
An outstanding reference audio track that compliments the reference video in every way.
Story Overview
After more than thirty years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators, Pete Mitchell (Tom Cruise), call sign Maverick, is back pushing the limits as a top test pilot, while at the same time staying clear of the advancement in rank that would ground him. Returning to the United States Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program, TOPGUN, he is now tasked with training the next generation of elite fighter pilots for a nearly impossible suicide mission. Preparing the graduates for a top-secret assignment and stretching the rules to the breaking point, Mitchell has to confront Lt. Bradley ‘Rooster’ Bradshaw (Miles Teller), the son of Maverick’s deceased best friend Lieutenant Nick “Goose” Bradshaw. Now Maverick and his team have to pull out all the stops to perform a miracle and destroy the enemy, all returning home in one piece.
My 2 cents
Not too much left to say other than you absolutely need to own this reference, top quality movie, as part of your collection. The 4K HDR presentation earns perfect marks across the board with a solid storyline and one demo sequence after another creating a phenomenal visual and aural feast. This is probably the best 4K Blu-ray of the year.
Purchase from Amazon here.
