Edge of Tomorrow is fascinating. With little-to-no plot or deep character exploration, it somehow sucks you into a captivating tale of time, aliens, and war. Tom Cruise plays Major William Cage, a non-combatant thrown into the lions den of an invading extraterrestrial threat. After he quickly bites the dust, he is surprised to find himself nonetheless alive – only it’s the start of his story (i.e. the movie). This pattern repeats a la Groundhog Day until a climactic showdown with the “big bad”. Along the way, Cage must befriend (and befriend… and befriend) Sergeant Rita Vrataski (Emily Blunt), an elite warrior who once had the time-loop gift herself.
Director: David Liman
Screenplay: Christopher McQuarrie, Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth. Based on All You Need is Kill by Hiroshi Sakurazaka
Producers: Erwin Stoff, Jason Hoffs, Tim Lewis, Jeffrey Silver, Tom Lassally, Kim H. Winther, Gregory Jacobs
Cinematography: Dion Beebe
Editing: James Herbert, Laura Jennings
Music: Christophe Beck
Select Cast: Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Bill Paxton, Brendan Gleeson
Runtime: 114 minutes
Country of Origin: USA
US Release: May 28, 2014
What makes this film sing is the chemistry between Cruise and Blunt. Each of them on their own could carry this movie, and director Doug Liman seems to understand the power of their combined presence. There is never a sense of over direction; rather, it seems the two stars are allowed to be their magnetic selves. Given similar treatment are supporting players Bill Paxton and Brendan Gleeson who so naturally fit their roles.
The other star of this movie is the overall design of the picture. The battlefield is tangible and seemingly never relies on computer imagery to depict the mud, dirt, and sand. Likewise, the armored mech suits worn by the human soldiers are practical hunks of machinery; this lends a realistic awkwardness to the movements of those inside. Bulky and heavy, we immediately sense Cage’s bewilderment when he must navigate such a device. (Which of course often ends in his demise.) Additionally, the aliens themselves are designed to reflect the indiscriminate chaos of battle.
Edge of Tomorrow knows exactly what it is doing. It is dynamic, breezy, and extremely likable; however, perhaps this is at the expense of true character development. We never learn much about either Cage or Rita’s backstories and in most other films this would be missed. Heck, I’m still not sure why these aliens are invading earth in the first place. But ultimately this movie succeeds on so many other levels that you’re satisfied with what you are given.
by Vincent S. Hannam
Don’t miss the next review – enter your email here!
Camp Kaiju 