Edge Of Tomorrow
Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
Image From IMDB
As a big fan of Doug Liman and the Groundhog Day convention I was very excited for Edge of Tomorrow back when it was released, and the movie didn’t disappoint. It was a great experience in the cinema and while I've watched it a couple of times since then, this was my first watch in a while. The movie definitely still stands up. It’s a fun big concept action flick with two good lead performances and plenty of ideas.
Cage (Tom Cruise) is a cowardly PR soilder in the army who after never seeing combat is roped into making an appearance on the front line during humanities war against the invading aliens. He’s almost instantly killed in the chaotic battle, but before he dies he takes an Alpha down with him and the mysterious aliens death leads to him living the same day over and over again in a continuous loop resetting every time he dies. With this new power can he turn the tide of the war… and get himself combat ready?
It’s a great concept that always allows for plenty of fun, and within the framework of this movie, plenty of cool action too. We witness Cage grow as a person as each day he learns a little more about himself before he’s killed in some nasty way. We see him get stronger, and start to think of others rather than just himself. Eventually he turns into the hero the war needs, but not before comically getting run over and listening to Bill Paxton brilliantly ham the screen up over and over again.
The films really divided into two halves, with Emily Blunt’s heroic and badass Rita being the dividing point. Before her we get a snivelling Cruise trying his damnedest to live up to his reputation as a deserter, and not to long after her permanent arrival we get his growth as humanities potential survivor. The first half plays more as a sci-fi comedy, while the second leans much more into the action.
Both halves are enjoyable, and the film doesn’t feel disjointed despite the tonal switch. Maybe in lesser hands it would, but Liman is a fantastic director and the script has clearly had enough redrafts. Both Cruise and Blunt are great with Blunt’s Rita being a character that someone really should have gone back to at some point. I’d have definitely watched a prequel about her own Groundhog Day experience.
The effects are all great as they still were in this period of Hollywood (before whatever happened to them happened) and the pace and action serve the film well. There’s some nice performances along the way too, and plenty of fun to be had within the camp and initial landing.
One of the films standout aspect are the death scenes. The concept allows for plenty of fun to be had with this, and they take full advantage of that. Especially when Rita starts initiating the resets. Seeing Cruise squirming with a broken back and Blunt just executing him at point blank range shouldn’t be as funny as it is.
Edge of Tomorrow is a super fun action sci-fi flick. The aliens are different, the action awesome, and the little world building we see is all enjoyable. It’s a movie intent on making you smile and having a great experience, something sorely lacking nowadays. It’s an easy watch and a movie that’s also very easy to recommend. A popcorn movie at its finest.
