Review: 'Top Gun' Roars into 4K with this Steelbook Edition

Re-enter the Danger Zone!

Among one of the summer's cinematic rescheduled casualties was a highly anticipated follow-up to one of the biggest movies ever. When it first roared into the multiplex in May of 1986, the world was a completely different place and Tom Cruise was only beginning to solidify his big-screen bankability as a leading action star. Decades later "Top Gun" is now newly remastered in 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and Digital HD, and is still regarded as one of the '80's biggest blockbusters. With its all-star cast of Hollywood heartthrobs (often shirtless and sweaty) and full-throttle action sequences, the film has never looked better even 30 years later.

Cruise capitalized on the testosterone-packed action flick directed by Tony Scott and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, which also featured one of the biggest hit soundtracks of the era, legitimizing the cross-marketing of the MTV era just as Hollywood continued to perfect the season of the summer blockbuster. Kenny Loggins provided the chart-topping theme song "Danger Zone," which reigned at #1 for weeks on the radio, and Berlin gave us the film's romantic love ballad "Take My Breath Away," which also was a worldwide hit. With its incredible high-flying stunts, "Top Gun" would inspire its star's daring stunts well into his next franchise, when he moved into the spy scene in the "Mission: Impossible" movies.

Kelly McGillis, Val Kilmer, Meg Ryan, and Anthony Edwards share the screen with Cruise, but the real stars of "Top Gun" are the fighter jets. Jerry Bruckheimer has always banked on his relationship with the armed forces to provide his movies with an authenticity that is often central to the success of an action movie of this caliber. "Top Gun" doesn't disappoint in the least. The film's enduring appeal is also dependent on its love story, and although the chemistry between Cruise and McGillis is far from accelerating any heart rates, it's still something to see.

With the remastered transfer to 4K Ultra HD, the film appears all the more current; brighter, deeper, and richer – definitely far more cinematic, which is to be expected if the original intends to hold up to the upcoming sequel "Top Gun: Maverick." With the COVID-19 pandemic keeping that film's theatrical release up in the air, fans should get their fix for "need for speed" fully satisfied re-experiencing "Top Gun." Adding it to any film enthusiast's collection is a must, especially in a limited edition SteelBook featuring a beautifully illustrated cover in the spirit of the film.

Packaged with all-new content to commemorate the film's 30 years as a hit, the "Legacy of Top Gun" is explored and with fresh commentary by the filmmakers and naval experts, and "Top Gun" reaches new heights of entertainment. Also included are several interviews with the film's star and reflections on the making of the hit, along with several behind-the-scenes looks at the "real life" training involved to make the film look as remarkably challenging and authentic as the brave souls that make up our armed forces and fly jet fighters.

"Top Gun" is available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD and Digital in an exclusive SteelBook now, just in time for the holidays.