Review of 'Edge of Tomorrow'

edge_of_tomorrow.jpg Major William Cage (Cruise) is a common face on television recruiting support for the military battle against invading aliens but he has never seen a day in battle. After a British commander kicks him onto the front line Cage quickly finds himself out of his depth and is killed quite quickly in the battle…then returns to the beginning of his day. He is killed in a number of different ways before he learns from the military hero “Rita” (Emily Blunt) that she experienced the same situation and that it is caused by the aliens. Defeating the aliens will release Cage from this endless cycle and, of course, free the human race. But, does he have it in him to become a hero?

Sort of a Science Fiction “Groundhog Day” that actually attempts to explain how the situation of the main protagonist has arisen. The obvious progression of Cage from zero to hero is played out to great effect with a number of surprising turns. The odds are not in his favor. This movie does have an air of glorifying war and death but is certainly maintains the viewer's interest throughout. The effects are amazing and believable while the characters are certainly more than one dimensional - At first we are not sympathetic with Cage but we grow to understand the man and begin to hope for his success. The battle scenes are insanely complicated and difficult to follow so when Cage begins to choreograph his movements it is all the more impressive and lends weight to the idea that he has died so many times. The aliens are fearsome but pretty one-dimensional (bad so kill them) which is pretty much the only thing I found difficult to take.

Entertaining and a surprisingly good watch.

Rating: “Nearly perfect, but not quite”

Review Date: 2014-10-31


Directed by: Doug Liman

Studio: Warner Bros

Year: 2014

Length: 113 minutes

Genre: Science Fiction

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1631867/


Other reviewed films by Doug Liman: