Movie Review - Edge of Tomorrow

Edge of Tomorrow  $$$

 

PG-13

113 Minutes

Starring: Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, and Bill Paxton.

Director: Doug Liman.

 

            In Hollywood, movie concepts are pitched in simple terms; name two successful films that describe your story. For Edge of Tomorrow I suspect that they sold producers on this is War of the Worlds meets Groundhog Day. Or possibly even Matrix meets Groundhog Day. 

            Major Cage (Tom Cruise) serves his country and the world by using his charisma and personality to convince people to join the military and fight against the alien invaders. He does this to ensure that he won’t have to fight—and die.

 
           On the eve of the battle that is expected to turn the tide of the war, he is stripped of his rank and tossed into one of the units that will be dropping into battle the next day. The humans are routed in the battle and Cage dies. But that’s not the end; Cage wakes up and it is the day before the battle. He continues through the process of live, die, repeat until he saves Rita (Emily Blunt), the war’s most decorated hero, who tells him to find her when he wakes up.
 

             Together, they are humanity’s only hope of survival against the aliens.

 

            Even though I enjoyed Edge of Tomorrow, I had hoped for a contender for the best movie of the year and was disappointed on that account. Here is how I rated it.  

            1. Fun – It certainly entertained. There were no slow parts where I wished they would just get on with the story.  And if you always thought that Tom Cruise should die more in his movies this one definitely delivers.

            Edge of Tomorrow gets a full MB for fun.  

            2. Story – This is where the movie falls short. There is no explanation as to why Major Cage is suddenly thrown into a front line combat unit where it is very likely that he will die. Also, the explanation for how Cage gains the alien ability to reset time seems contrived. This film works much better if you turn your brain off when you watch it.

            Edge of Tomorrow gets half a MB for story.  

            3. Technical – Overall the special effects were spectacular. The one aspect I had problems with was the aliens. I think this was something that was better in concept than in realization. The aliens rapidly change shape and whip around with great speed. Cool. I appreciate the innovation, but they were difficult to follow. It was kind of like watching a kids scribble come to life.

            Edge of Tomorrow earned only half a MB for technical.  

            4. Acting – The movie is Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt. There are other actors in the film, to be sure, but they have a negligible impact on the overall story. Although, I did enjoy Bill Paxton’s stint as Master Sergeant Farell.

            Edge of Tomorrow earned a full MB for acting.  

 

            Edge of Tomorrow scores a final rating of 3 Movie Bucks. Even though the aliens might be easier to watch on the smaller screens at home, I still feel this is a film that benefits from the theater-going experience. I suggest catching it as a matinee or similar discount showing. 

 

                        Randy’s Rating System 

$$$$   = Full Price    See this movie right away and pay full price, it’s worth it.

$$$     = Matinee      Catch this as a matinee or other discounted showing.

$$        = Discount     Wait until this movie reaches a discount theater near you.

$          = Rental         Wait until this movie reaches your local video rental outlet.

0          = No Sale       Don’t see this movie at any price.