by Jo Johnstone
What do you get if you mix War of the Worlds and Groundhog Day in a high concept science fiction film? That's right, Edge of Tomorrow. It is the latest offering from Tom Cruise and director Doug Liman.
Here, Cruise plays a Major who gets caught in the fight against the invading aliens when he gains the power to reset the day every time he dies.
What do you get if you mix War of the Worlds and Groundhog Day in a high concept science fiction film? That's right, Edge of Tomorrow. It is the latest offering from Tom Cruise and director Doug Liman.
Here, Cruise plays a Major who gets caught in the fight against the invading aliens when he gains the power to reset the day every time he dies.
Set in the near future when mankind is at war with a horde of invading aliens on earth. The story follows William Cage, (Cruise) an American naval Major untrained in combat as he visits London before super solders are deployed into battle. Turning down an offer to cover the attack from the front line Cage finds himself accused of being a deserter and sent as a fighter. He dies in minutes but awakens to find himself reliving the day he was sent into battle. By gaining new knowledge each day, he approaches leading super soldier Rita Vrataski, (Emily Blunt) to train him and help mankind win the war against the alien invaders.
The film is based on the Japanese novel, All You Need is Kill by Hiroshi Sakurazaka. The film adaptation has been directed by Doug Liman who directed the first in the Bourne Trilogy.
The story is nothing new in film. It follows mankind’s reaction to an alien invasion. In the fight against theses ‘Mimics,’ the army has developed mechanical suits to arm its soldiers. The story gets off to a shaky start with Cruise playing a Major whose called to London and asked to cover the battle from the front line. Cage, who has never wanted to see combat, approaches his superior with an ultimatum if he is sent. This decision finds him sent to base as a deserter solder that is sent into battle unprepared. This is all in aid to set up Cruises character as the unintentional hero. The man who is called upon to save the world as opposed to being the natural choice. It all feels redundant and sets the film off to a wobbly start.
The film, however, vastly improves as Cage begins to live the same day over. You watch as his character tries every different approach to first convince his superiors of his ability then team up with super soldier, Rita Vrataski to train as a fighter. From this point on, the film mixes action with science fiction as well as brief humour and it becomes a good take on an old concept. You’re never really sure how many times he has relived the same day but this manages to keep the audiences intrigued. The character sometimes holds back his knowledge and takes a new course meaning the film avoids becoming too repetitive despite it repeat premise.
The film is based on the Japanese novel, All You Need is Kill by Hiroshi Sakurazaka. The film adaptation has been directed by Doug Liman who directed the first in the Bourne Trilogy.
The story is nothing new in film. It follows mankind’s reaction to an alien invasion. In the fight against theses ‘Mimics,’ the army has developed mechanical suits to arm its soldiers. The story gets off to a shaky start with Cruise playing a Major whose called to London and asked to cover the battle from the front line. Cage, who has never wanted to see combat, approaches his superior with an ultimatum if he is sent. This decision finds him sent to base as a deserter solder that is sent into battle unprepared. This is all in aid to set up Cruises character as the unintentional hero. The man who is called upon to save the world as opposed to being the natural choice. It all feels redundant and sets the film off to a wobbly start.
The film, however, vastly improves as Cage begins to live the same day over. You watch as his character tries every different approach to first convince his superiors of his ability then team up with super soldier, Rita Vrataski to train as a fighter. From this point on, the film mixes action with science fiction as well as brief humour and it becomes a good take on an old concept. You’re never really sure how many times he has relived the same day but this manages to keep the audiences intrigued. The character sometimes holds back his knowledge and takes a new course meaning the film avoids becoming too repetitive despite it repeat premise.
The film boosts some great action sequences, which you would expect from the director of The Bourne Identity. From futuristic technology, full scale War scenes as well as alien attacks the film has it all and gets your adrenaline going.
Of the two leads the film is a real game changer for English actress Emily Blunt. Blunt is an actress of such amazing beauty and articulation, it would be easy to coast on her looks and charm. Instead, here, Blunt has chosen to play an action role which she excel’s at.
Able to look the part as a fighter while still maintaining her charm, this is a great role for Blunt. Not merely just an action role she is able to convey a character of strength and intelligence. This may be a high concept film but for Blunt it shows her versatility on screen as an actress.
Although. Tom Cruise is good in the film and he maintains his usual charismatic presence, this just feels samey for the actor. This is once again a film where his character is called upon to save the world. This is not to say this is a character that Cruise plays badly but just the same role, (with maybe the exception ofCollateral) that he has played for the past ten years. Still Cruise mixes action with charm and of course, occasional humour admirable.
A better than expected sci-fi action film. Easy watching with some great action this is a film for the weekend. Get past its silly opening premise for a thrill ride with some awesome shots of a near empty London. 28 Days Later, you have some competition from Tom Cruise in a Helicopter
Of the two leads the film is a real game changer for English actress Emily Blunt. Blunt is an actress of such amazing beauty and articulation, it would be easy to coast on her looks and charm. Instead, here, Blunt has chosen to play an action role which she excel’s at.
Able to look the part as a fighter while still maintaining her charm, this is a great role for Blunt. Not merely just an action role she is able to convey a character of strength and intelligence. This may be a high concept film but for Blunt it shows her versatility on screen as an actress.
Although. Tom Cruise is good in the film and he maintains his usual charismatic presence, this just feels samey for the actor. This is once again a film where his character is called upon to save the world. This is not to say this is a character that Cruise plays badly but just the same role, (with maybe the exception ofCollateral) that he has played for the past ten years. Still Cruise mixes action with charm and of course, occasional humour admirable.
A better than expected sci-fi action film. Easy watching with some great action this is a film for the weekend. Get past its silly opening premise for a thrill ride with some awesome shots of a near empty London. 28 Days Later, you have some competition from Tom Cruise in a Helicopter
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