Directed By: Doug Liman
Screenwriters: Christopher McQuarrie, Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman, D.W. Harper, Joby Harold
Cast: Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Brendan Gleeson, Bill Paxton, Jonas Armstrong, Tony Way, Kick Gurry, Franz Drameh, Dragomir Mrsic, Charlotte Riley
Ok, let’s put it right up front, this film is a one-time summer blast of escapism in the form of a high-concept clone. It is the sci-fi equivalent of “Groundhog Day” meets “Independence Day” on D-Day. It is a big, loud, often exciting, definitely action packed, occasionally amusing, yet surprisingly smart film. If you’re going to imitate classic motion pictures, you’ve got to do it right and the writers of Edge of Tomorrow have done just that. Though based on the Japanese youth oriented pulp fiction novel “All You Need Is Kill “ by Hiroshi Sakurazaka and despite the fact that the film won’t stay with you long after you leave the theater, it does prove to be a pulse-pounding adventure while it’s unfolding in front of you.
Here’s the storyline:
The alien invasion apocalypse is upon us. Having landed in Germany the squid like invaders, nicknamed “Mimics”, have taken hold of the European continent, and are massing to head for the rest of the world. However, a turning point appears to have been reached in a recent battle and it seems that the new combat suits given the troops to upgrade their human capabilities can help defeat the alien horde. Major William Cage (Cruise) has never been in combat when through a series of events he is dropped into the big battle. He dies within minutes of hitting the beach and finds himself enigmatically thrown into some kind of a time loop that forces him to live out the same brutal battle over and over again, fighting, dying, fighting dying.
Yet, the constant fighting to stay alive starts turning him into a better warrior with each new battle, until he stumbles onto Rita Vrataski (Blunt) a heroic Special Forces warrior and the two begin to engage the adversaries with new found skills.
While it appears to be director Doug Liman’s best film to date, there are still things, certain elements here he seems to be borrowing from his previous films “Jumper” and “The Bourne Identity”. If you liked those films you’re certain to like this as well.
I could make connections between Cruise’s role as Major Cage and his own career course, but he turns in a solid performance so I’ll only suggest it. The person who comes out the total winner in this film is Emily Blunt; a tremendous actress, she just about steals the movie. She’s so dynamic and so appealing in this role that whenever she on screen, that’s where your eyes go. I should also recognize Bill Paxton who turns in another memorable performance as Master Sergeant Farell.
My take, for summer entertainment it’s well worth seeing, once, don’t get caught in the time loop, repeat viewing will never improve you’re ability to enjoy this film more. Go see it on the big screen!
