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FILM REVIEW: The Edge of Tomorrow
It should go without saying that with summer blockbusters, it is best to leave logic at the door. The best thing to do is just sit back and enjoy the action sequences and try to ignore any cringe worthy dialogue. In the case of Edge of Tomorrow, Tom Cruise’s latest big screen adventure, you’d be right to leave your brain at the concessions, but you will be missing out if you don’t bring along a sense of humor.
In the near future aliens have attacked and seized Europe while the rest of the world has banned together to form the United Defense Forces. Cruise plays Major William Cage, a media liaison for the military operation and promoter of the state of the art exoskeletons that the soldiers wear when they are in combat. Through a series of absurd opening events, Cage is sent to the frontline to be a part of the first wave in a huge and ultimately failed military attack against the enemy. After dying in battle and having contact with an alien’s DNA before croaking, Cage finds himself stuck in a time loop where after each death he awakens to find himself the day before battle, trying each time to fix the outcomes of that fateful event. This is when the movie really kicks it into high gear.
I didn’t expect to laugh so much with Edge of Tomorrow, or admire it in the way that I do. One of my first thoughts while watching it was wondering why more movies don’t incorporate the time loop device that worked so well twenty years ago in the classic romantic comedy Groundhog Day. In this film, it adds an edge to what would normally be a mindless summer action film with little to remember about it. I wasn’t surprised to discover during the closing credits that one of the screenwriters was Christopher McQuarrie, the mastermind behind The Usual Suspects who helped adapt the story from a Japanese light novel by Hiroshi Sakurazaka.
The unique time frame isn’t the only positive aspect in this actioner, directed by Doug Liman, a man who helmed the first Bourne movie as well as the 90s comedy Swingers. Emily Blunt’s character is a refreshing change of pace for this type of flick. Instead of the beautiful female solely being a love interest and/or victim for the main male movie star to protect and save, Blunt’s Rita Vrataski is the film’s most fierce warrior, teaching Cage and enabling him to continue and get the job done. Without her role, nothing would be accomplished. Also, the casting of Bill Paxton as the platoon sergeant is a nice throwback to his role in Aliens and some of the military characters in that film.
After all is said and done, Edge of Tomorrow barely surpasses the passable in regard to its genre and time of release. Cruise uses his charm and like-ability to full effect, becoming that extension of the audience that every film needs. Along with a couple of good supporting roles, great special effects, and a unique twist with the time loop, the movie might not be worth the expensive ticket prices we have now, but that doesn’t make it bad one.
In the near future aliens have attacked and seized Europe while the rest of the world has banned together to form the United Defense Forces. Cruise plays Major William Cage, a media liaison for the military operation and promoter of the state of the art exoskeletons that the soldiers wear when they are in combat. Through a series of absurd opening events, Cage is sent to the frontline to be a part of the first wave in a huge and ultimately failed military attack against the enemy. After dying in battle and having contact with an alien’s DNA before croaking, Cage finds himself stuck in a time loop where after each death he awakens to find himself the day before battle, trying each time to fix the outcomes of that fateful event. This is when the movie really kicks it into high gear.
I didn’t expect to laugh so much with Edge of Tomorrow, or admire it in the way that I do. One of my first thoughts while watching it was wondering why more movies don’t incorporate the time loop device that worked so well twenty years ago in the classic romantic comedy Groundhog Day. In this film, it adds an edge to what would normally be a mindless summer action film with little to remember about it. I wasn’t surprised to discover during the closing credits that one of the screenwriters was Christopher McQuarrie, the mastermind behind The Usual Suspects who helped adapt the story from a Japanese light novel by Hiroshi Sakurazaka.
The unique time frame isn’t the only positive aspect in this actioner, directed by Doug Liman, a man who helmed the first Bourne movie as well as the 90s comedy Swingers. Emily Blunt’s character is a refreshing change of pace for this type of flick. Instead of the beautiful female solely being a love interest and/or victim for the main male movie star to protect and save, Blunt’s Rita Vrataski is the film’s most fierce warrior, teaching Cage and enabling him to continue and get the job done. Without her role, nothing would be accomplished. Also, the casting of Bill Paxton as the platoon sergeant is a nice throwback to his role in Aliens and some of the military characters in that film.
After all is said and done, Edge of Tomorrow barely surpasses the passable in regard to its genre and time of release. Cruise uses his charm and like-ability to full effect, becoming that extension of the audience that every film needs. Along with a couple of good supporting roles, great special effects, and a unique twist with the time loop, the movie might not be worth the expensive ticket prices we have now, but that doesn’t make it bad one.
I didn’t expect to laugh so much with Edge of Tomorrow, or admire it in the way that I do. One of my first thoughts while watching it was wondering why more movies don’t incorporate the time loop device that worked so well twenty years ago in the classic romantic comedy Groundhog Day. In this film, it adds an edge to what would normally be a mindless summer action film with little to remember about it. I wasn’t surprised to discover during the closing credits that one of the screenwriters was Christopher McQuarrie, the mastermind behind The Usual Suspects who helped adapt the story from a Japanese light novel by Hiroshi Sakurazaka.
The unique time frame isn’t the only positive aspect in this actioner, directed by Doug Liman, a man who helmed the first Bourne movie as well as the 90s comedy Swingers. Emily Blunt’s character is a refreshing change of pace for this type of flick. Instead of the beautiful female solely being a love interest and/or victim for the main male movie star to protect and save, Blunt’s Rita Vrataski is the film’s most fierce warrior, teaching Cage and enabling him to continue and get the job done. Without her role, nothing would be accomplished. Also, the casting of Bill Paxton as the platoon sergeant is a nice throwback to his role in Aliens and some of the military characters in that film.
After all is said and done, Edge of Tomorrow barely surpasses the passable in regard to its genre and time of release. Cruise uses his charm and like-ability to full effect, becoming that extension of the audience that every film needs. Along with a couple of good supporting roles, great special effects, and a unique twist with the time loop, the movie might not be worth the expensive ticket prices we have now, but that doesn’t make it bad one.
The unique time frame isn’t the only positive aspect in this actioner, directed by Doug Liman, a man who helmed the first Bourne movie as well as the 90s comedy Swingers. Emily Blunt’s character is a refreshing change of pace for this type of flick. Instead of the beautiful female solely being a love interest and/or victim for the main male movie star to protect and save, Blunt’s Rita Vrataski is the film’s most fierce warrior, teaching Cage and enabling him to continue and get the job done. Without her role, nothing would be accomplished. Also, the casting of Bill Paxton as the platoon sergeant is a nice throwback to his role in Aliens and some of the military characters in that film.
After all is said and done, Edge of Tomorrow barely surpasses the passable in regard to its genre and time of release. Cruise uses his charm and like-ability to full effect, becoming that extension of the audience that every film needs. Along with a couple of good supporting roles, great special effects, and a unique twist with the time loop, the movie might not be worth the expensive ticket prices we have now, but that doesn’t make it bad one.
After all is said and done, Edge of Tomorrow barely surpasses the passable in regard to its genre and time of release. Cruise uses his charm and like-ability to full effect, becoming that extension of the audience that every film needs. Along with a couple of good supporting roles, great special effects, and a unique twist with the time loop, the movie might not be worth the expensive ticket prices we have now, but that doesn’t make it bad one.
