I had several reasons not to want to like this film. First of all, on the surface, Edge of Tomorrow looked like it was just going to be another Tom Cruise delivery system. I have seen Cruise play the same character in countless films over the years. Interview with a Vampire, A Few Good Men, Jerry Maguire, Eyes Wide Shut, Mission Impossible… All of his characters from these films are basically different moods of the same guy. So, I honestly wasn’t too excited. I mean, Oblivion is still being shown at least 5 times a week on cable.
I’m also not a huge fan of the “Groundhog Day” film. You know, where the main character has to live the same day over and over again, each day trying to fix the mistakes he made in previous days. But while Edge of Tomorrow does feature Cruise in all his usual testosterone glory, the film did manage to put a different spin on the Groundhog Day paradigm. For one, these characters have the ability and the foresight to restart the day willfully as opposed to just waking up and having it starting over automatically. And instead of trying to fix social issues like pursue a girl or make their personal life more meaningful, Cruise and Blunt are actually trying to save the world from an alien invasion that is, in one future, successful.
The concepts set forth in this film are evocative and fascinating and fulfills the pre-requisites of what defines sci-fi: time travel, mechanical alien creatures the main characters have to fight, as well as technology that is more advanced than anything we’ve got going today (or at least that the average person knows about). There did seem to be some minor likenesses to the film Aliens but seeing as that is one of my all time favorites, I didn’t mind. It was also nice to see Bill Paxton, who somehow always manages to bring an element of humor to his films.
Emily Blunt is a welcome addition as Cruise’s sidekick/paramour. I’ve liked her since I first saw her in Devil Wears Prada. She plays the perfect mean girl with that touch of vulnerability that keeps you from totally despising her. In Edge of Tomorrow, Blunt’s character is touted on screen as the “Full Metal Bitch” but that persona seems to exist more on the battlefield than in person. Together, the two leads have nice chemistry and move well in their action roles. The transition between action double and principal actor is seamless as they are obviously doing a lot of their stunts, which is something Cruise is always very proud and vocal about. Blunt also does a great job as action heroine and I have a feeling this won’t be the last we see of her in a role like this.
I haven’t yet read the novel All You Need is Kill by Hiroshi Sakurazaka but after reading some positive reviews, it’s definitely next on my list. I like that the film kept the big anime-looking sword that Blunt’s character wields but if there is one downside, I would say a lack of Asian characters would be it. Considering the film is adapted from a Japanese literary work, it would’ve been nice to see at least one.
Overall though, needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised by the film. So were many others considering it got a 90% on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite the repetitiveness of the basic plot structure, Edge of Tomorrow manages to avoid being predictable. It is entertaining, edgy, engaging and embodies everything that an action flick should offer… Definitely worth the 12 bucks I paid to see it at my local Lazy Boy, beer and wine theater. Rating: A-
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