Science-Fiction films are usually relegated to Sci-Fi/Action, which is fine, but its rarely pulled off well. Edge of Tomorrow is being compared to two films; Oblivion and Groundhog Day. Oblivion was Tom Cruises last foray into Sci-Fi and veterans of the genre can tell you that it felt more like an amalgamation of other great Sci-Fi flicks (Omega Man, Moon), and lacked an identity of its own. The other film Edge resembles is Groundhog Dog. Source Code is actually a little bit closer, as Tom Cruise doesnt relive the same day, but rather, up to the moment he dies. However, if any of these two reasons are stopping you from seeing the film, youre missing out. Billy Cage (Cruise) amounts to a marketing soldier when a series of events finds himself dropped into the D-Day of an alien invasion. Can I say how refreshing it is to have aliens with a more unique design for once? The Mimics, as theyre called, are linked to giant commanders called Alphas. When an alpha is killed, the hive mind (Omega) automatically resets the day. Its how they win wars. They actually remember everything up to the moment they die. By chance, Cage destroys an alpha on his first day, and its blood seeps into his own, thus granting him the power they have. Its a bit of a mouthful, hence why its not mentioned in the trailer, but theres never any confusion in how it works when youre watching the film. Director Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity, Mr. and Mrs. Smith) injects some humor into the film thats welcome, given the subject matter. It could have been an absolute dismal picture (Battle L.A., anyone?) but he keeps things fun. Hes also more than adequate in shooting the action, and thankfully everything is easy to make out and understand (a rarity in action films these days). Cruise also has a welcome supporting cast, with Bill Paxton playing the equivalent of the sergeant from Aliens, and Emily Blunt playing Rita, a soldier who had the aliens power, much like Cage does now. There are no damsel in distress moments for her. If anything, she kicks more ass (shes the only one to bring a sword into combat) and has more balls than any of the other characters. The best aspect of this film is that it knows exactly what it is. Penned by Christopher McQuarrie (Jack Reacher, The Usual Suspects), he has a great handle on the material. Its a fun action ride first, backed by a cool concept and fun characters. Never does it try to be anything more than that. Believe you me, thats a tricky thing to do. A romance angle would have been all too easy to fit in here, and is mostly skirted. Theres also some serious drama to be delivered, having to watch those around you die again and again, but that issue is mostly ignored as well. Because the film doesnt swing for the fences, it succeeds in not being pretentious. Theres never a dull moment, from the opening invasion to all the varying ways Cage tries to alter his destiny by evading the attack. At the end of the day, this amounts to exactly what it promises: a fun action ride. In that regard, its easily up there with Winter Soldier and X-Men: Days of Future Past as one of the best films of the summer. Is it among the greatest of the genre? Not at all, and thats okay. Not every movie has to be, and this film is probably better off for it. 7/10
Posted on: Fri, 13 Jun 2014 14:10:39 +0000
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