The tag line goes “Live. Die. Repeat.” Sounds like that start of this review, where I’ve begun it a number of ways, only to scrap it and go again. And unlike Tom Cruise is his latest movie, I haven’t learned a thing. Edge Of Tomorrow continues the quality output for Tom Cruise, and with very minor exceptions, the biggest movie star on the planet hasn’t made a bad movie in quite some time. Over the last few years, we are seeing the evolution of Tom Cruise as an actor and if it wasn’t blatantly obvious to audiences how dedicated he is to his craft, it will be after you see Edge Of Tomorrow, which in a way is almost a metaphor for Cruise and his amazing work ethic of constantly trying, doing, learning and evolving. And boy, does he deliver here in large, beautifully realised, futuristic, destructive dollops.
William Cage (Tom Cruise) is a PR guru for the United Defence Forces who are about to embark on a last stand against an all conquering alien invasion. Cage has about as much combat skills as I have knitting skills and when he finds himself being hurtled head first into this last chance to save the planet, he is completely out of his league. With an enemy that is fully aware of the UDF and their battle plan, an absolutely breath taking beach battle scene anchors much of the movie. It’s here where Cage gets killed, and suddenly finds himself going back in time to the previous day.
The entire first half of the movie plays out the same scenes time and time again, and before you start yawning, it is executed brilliantly. Each time Cage finds himself back on the beach, he learns and adapts each time he is killed, so like a video game, he gets further each time. It’s like he has unlimited credits to continue. It’s not long before he meets Rita (Emily Blunt) and soon realises she once experienced his strange behaviour. Together, the two of them set out to get off the beach and save the world.Doug Liman does a fantastic job here with a story that is initially complicated on paper, but on screen it’s as simple to follow as the alphabet. The little details that change each time are extraordinary and the movie really engages the audience each time it “resets”. For example the first time Cage lands, he loses his visor. The second time he lands he doesn’t. It’s only miniscule in comparison to everything else that happens, but it’s these little touches that really add to Edge Of Tomorrow.With different angles and set pieces each time, it’s constantly refreshing and never repetitive.
With equally impressive visuals, audiences are in for a treat. With fully realised mech suits for the soldiers, which weighed 85lbs (that’s 6 Stone people!!!) the performance turned in by the cast, is not only superb, but you can genuinely feel the strain of what they’re attached to. The beach landing scene though has some phenomenal set pieces as aircraft fall out of the sky, bodies get flattened, aliens (known as mimics here) run rampant, and it is really quite dizzying. With some masterful camera work, it really sucks you in, and being honest when the movie eventually gets off the beach, it jolts you back to reality with a sudden bang. Not a bad thing in the least, but if anything it highlights how engrossing Edge Of Tomorrow really is. With it’s stunning visuals and vast, gigantic sets it’s really an enveloping experience for audiences, which is helped quite a bit by 3D, particularly around the action set pieces, where debris is flying in all directions.
Tom Cruise plays an absolute blinder here. His transformation from cocky PR military guru to a fully fledged mech suit, gun toting bad ass is sublime. By the time the credits roll, he is completely the opposite to the character he set out with. It’s a very organic transformation and he handles it subtly and brilliantly. Genuinely one of his best performances in years. Emily Blunt, plays off him very well, and while her character is slightly under used, she truly holds her own against Cruise. But it’s Brendan Gleeson (yes he is in it as a General) and Bill Paxton’s interactions with Cruise’s character that are hilarious and powerful. This is alot funnier than many people would think. And by no means a comedy, the lighter moments offer a welcome breather from the intensity.
While the second half of the movie lacks the intensity of the first half (seriously the beach scene is so intense, it’d be hard to outdo it), the story moves along at a solid pace and never really languishes about. To their credit, the writing team (which includes Chris McQuarrie) really have crafted a thoroughly enjoyable and engaging story.
Edge Of Tomorrow is a superb night at the cinema. Offering rock solid performances, jaw dropping action and a visual style that is superb, this is a movie that demands your attention every frame of the way. Watch. Enjoy. Repeat. Brilliant!
