FIlm Review: Edge of Tomorrow

For a film about repetition, Tom Cruise's latest in a long list of recent sci-fi adventurse never becomes monotonous but that’s not to say it doesn’t give us a series case of déjà vu in the process. If Groundhog Day was the rom-com you’re allowed to love, then Edge of Tomorrow is it’s gung-ho younger brother. Die-rinse-repeat are the rules set out for us in this over-the-top action flick that makes the most of its sci-fi heritage. 

Earth has been invaded by Mimics, extra-terrestrial entities that operate using hive mind to outmaneuver whatever the human race can throw at them. Tom Cruise is in full cowardly slime-ball mode as William Cage, a military spin doctor who puts on a reassuringly brave face on for the entire world to see, despite never having spent a single day in the throes of combat. As the United Defensive Force assembles everything it has to throw at the alien menace, the cowardly Cage finds himself stripped of rank and tossed onto the front lines. 

“I think there’s something wrong with your suit - there’s a dead man in it!” a fellow private taunts, and just as soon as his boots touch the ground, Cage does indeed bite the dust. However, he wakes up again, reliving the last few days of his life, finding himself in a time loop that could potentially be the key saving the human race. 

Cage runs, leaps, shoots and explodes, his way along this long road to redemption, and so too does Cruise who certainly seems to be having a lot of fun in this role. It certainly makes up for some of his recent po-faced errors, such as the bloated action thriller Jack Reacher and lackluster sci-fi Oblivion.

Bouncing off supporting players, such as Brendan Gleeson’s no-nonsense general and Bill Paxton in full drill sergeant mode, you realize just how weasely Cage is. It’s a role he knows how to handle perfectly. Plus it's rather humorous to see a million ways to kill Tom Cruise. 

Paxton’s casting is perhaps no coincidence. Aliens is just one film in a long list of influences that Edge of Tomorrow riffs on. The oorah comradery, brief glimpses of humour and chunky over-the-top battle sequences are also a nod and a wink towards Paul Verhoeven’s Starship Troopers, even though Edge of Tomorrow doesn’t quit pack the same satirical punch. 

The Matrix, Elysium and even Saving Private Ryan are all embedded in this mash up of a movie. Surprisingly, Edge of Tomorrow is actually based on an original story, Hiroshi Sakurazaka’s short, pulp novel All You Need is Kill, but you’d be forgiven for thinking that is was based on a computer game, given the trial-and-error, continuously check pointed pace of the film and it’s chunky, robotic aesthetics. 

If Edge of Tomorrow were a game, then Emily Blunt would be the main playable character. As Rita Vrataski AKA the Full Metal Bitch, she physically brings blood, sweat and tears to the role as the sword swinging heroine who is idolized by her fellow troops. The role moves Blunt well out of her comfort zone, but she thrives as Cruise’s mentor throughout, in a performance combines that demands battle hardened vigor and war weariness. 

The film itself never feels tired though, even with the familiar plot device. Director Doug Liman keeps the pace alive by juggling moments of sci-fi exposition with sheer over-the-top spectacle. It’s certainly the best we’ve had from the director since helming the first installment of the Bourne saga. 

A pic ‘n’ mix of science fiction classics come together with the fizzy chemistry between Cruise and Blunt, with the former in the most comfortable role we’ve seen him in a long time. It all makes for a surprisingly fresh and exciting thriller, with action sequences that prevail over and over and over again.

Edge of Tomorrow reviewed after a preview screening, courtesy of Movie House NI and CityBeat