Top Gun soars 30 years later

Blu-ray, DVD and digital HD Paramount

★★★★ out of 5

It may be 30 years since Top Gun was released but fans still feel the need ... the need for speed.

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Tom Cruise classic, Paramount Pictures has released a limited edition Blu-ray combo steelbook that is chock full of goodies. The package includes three versions of the film — Bluray, DVD and digital HD.

Directed by Tony Scott, Top Gun tells the story of an elite group of pilots competing to earn the Top Gun designation. Cruise stars as Lt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, a cocky and brash pilot who is carrying some emotional baggage. The passage of time hasn’t done anything to diminish Cruise’s performance — his style and swagger carries Maverick perfectly, using his bravado to keep his uncertainty in check.

Although Cruise is the star of the flick, he wasn’t expected to carry the movie on his own. In fact, the quality of the cast made sure that wasn’t necessary as Kelly McGillis, Val Kilmer, Anthony Edwards, Tom Skerritt, Tim Robbins and Meg Ryan turned in superb performances.

Packaged in a steel case, the set is filled with extras. Included are commentaries by Scott and producer Jerry Bruckheimer, a number of featurettes, interviews with Cruise and four music videos. DVD Sony

out of 5 In this 2015 British sci-fi comedy, Simon Pegg plays his default character — that underachieving, awkward-but-lovable guy who manages to save the day and get the girl. Which is not to say that’s a bad thing.

Neil (Pegg) is a school teacher who hates his job and his boss; he’s in love with his neighbour Catherine (Kate Beckinsale), but is too shy to admit it. When an intergalactic council of aliens (voiced by the Monty Python comedians) awards a random human the ability to do absolutely anything with a wave of his hand, guess who the lucky human is? The film follows Neil’s mishaps with his new-found power — including giving his dog Dennis (voiced by Robin Williams) the abilities of thought and speech. Rob Riggle plays the villain — I mean, aside from those aliens, who are bent on destroying Earth.

It’s not the greatest movie, but it’s a bit of a laugh. There are some cute special features, including cast and crew admitting what they’d do with Neil’s power.