Edge of Tomorrow - early review

[JasonEvans]

It is almost impossible to describe Edge of Tomorrow, the new Tom Cruise/Emily Blunt sci-fi flick and not relate it to Groundhog Day. I have seen a series of reviews that call it "Groundhog Day meets..." Independence Day, Saving Private Ryan, Starship Troopers, Alien, Full Metal Jacket, and so on. While none of these comparisons are entirely accurate, the use of Groundhog Day in a review allows the audience to quickly understand that this is a film with a time-travel element where a character continues to live the same day over and over again.

But, while Groundhog Day played this concept for laughs, Edge of Tomorrow plays it for action and sci-fi thrills. It is one of the better high-concept sci-fi movies I have seen in a while, perhaps even ranking up there with Looper as truly clever and thoughtful film in terms of dealing with time travel and the implications of it. It is also worth noting that EoT is much more of an action film than Looper. Parts of it really do feel like Saving Private Ryan in terms of the scope of the battle going on.

The move centers around a military PR guy, Lt. Cage, played by Cruise. The Earth is being invaded by aliens called Mimics and it is a war the world is losing, though a recent battlefield victory by a super-soldier named Rita (Emily Blunt) has given everyone hope we can win. There is a good bit of setup, perhaps a tad too much, to get us to the point where Cage gains this mysterious ability to "reset the day" (actually 2 days) that puts him in the "Groundhog Day" loop where he continually re-lives the day, gaining more and more knowledge about his situation each time. It should come as no surprise that he eventually figures out that Rita had the same ability, which is how she won the earlier battle. The movie takes some very dramatic and exciting turns from there.


As an aside, from a marketing standpoint, the film makes the unfortunate choice of putting the characters in these large metal battle-armor kind of setups. While it works for the plot and they do some clever stuff with the battle armor, it looks so much like the awkward exoskeleton that was fused to Matt Damon's body in Elysium that I almost think some people will presume this is a sequel to that flick. I know my wife looked at that image and thought she had no desire to see this film. Rest assured, this is a much more thoughtful and engaging film than Elysium!

The plot is truly compelling and had me on the edge of my seat throughout. The nature of the way the Mimics attack is surprising and fast, which means you are constantly worried they could pop out of nowhere. The film eventually explains how and why everything is happening, which is a route Groundhog Day never took, and it nicely buttons up the story. There are some surprises along the way, especially in the final third, that truly ramp up the tension.

It is not a perfect sci-fi film -- the story drags a bit a couple times and, as with all time travel films, there are paradoxes that puzzle you and may not be 100% logically correct -- but it is a very good flick and worth your moviegoing dollar(s). Cruise is earnest and compelling in this role. His character is not some perfect guy, Cage has plenty of flaws, but Cruise really makes you root for him. Emily Blunt is excellent and there are strong supporting turns from Bill Paxton (who is pretty funny as an intense drill sergeant) and Brendan Gleason (as the General commanding the Earth troops). The effects are top notch and the 3D is solid (though you certainly don't have to watch it in 3D to enjoy it).

If you are a sci-fi fan, check this one out. It is the kind of film you will talk about and dissect once it is over. I don't want to go too crazy praising it -- I did not walk out and immediately stat calling friends and telling them they have to see this, the way I did with Looper -- but this is a good film. It is nice to see high-concept sci-fi still getting Hollywood money. This is not a sequel nor is it an established comic book character. There is something refreshing about that. There is some cursing, but it is not over the top. There is no nudity and -- for a war movie -- not that much blood. They did not go for gimmicks to sell this flick, they are letting the story, the action, the acting, and the effects carry the day... and do they ever!!



One last note-- the film was directed by Doug Liman, who made Swingers and a wonderful small film call Go (which many critics compare to Pulp Fiction) back in the 90s. He then did The Bourne Identity and seemed to be on the cusp of being one of Hollywood's big-time directors. He followed that up with Mr. & Mrs. Smith, which was just ok, and the awful Jumper. After that, he did Fair Game, the Sean Penn/Naomi Watts drama about Joseph Wilson and his spy wife Valerie Plame. I think that because of the highly political nature of that flick, he sorta faded off the radar for a few years. Well, he is back in a big way this time and he is currently working on the film version of the hit game Splinter Cell with Tom Hardy in a starring role. I think Liman is a very strong director and could see this flick really getting him back in the conversation as one of the better directors in the game.

If you ask me, this is one of the movies to see this summer -- though I expect many people will not bother because of a bias against sci-fi/alien movies. Those of you who do go see it won't be disappointed**. Enjoy!!

-Jason "I am pleased to see that many critics seem to agree with me about this being a really good sci-fi film-- it is hovering around 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, which is really impressive!" Evans

** - well, the very, very ending (final 2 minutes) might disappoint you a bit, but the rest of the movie it worth it.

[-jk]

** - well, the very, very ending (final 2 minutes) might disappoint you a bit, but the rest of the movie it worth it.

I love sci-fi. I bring (more than) a bit of willful suspension of disbelief. 'Cause it's all too easy to get suckered in usually (alas). I'm hoping this one holds up!

-jk

[Reisen]

Thanks, Jason. Looking forward to it. I also enjoyed Oblivion, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, and, crazy enough, Jumper.

I didn't realize they were working on a Splinter Cell movie. That could be great. Red Storm (Tom Clancy's video game studio) used to be based out of RTP (no idea if they are still around or still there), and I was lucky enough to get to do some alpha testing for them back in the day (prior to Splinter Cell, their big game was "Rainbow Six").

[davekay1971]

Thanks, Jason. Looking forward to it. I also enjoyed Oblivion, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, and, crazy enough, Jumper.

I didn't realize they were working on a Splinter Cell movie. That could be great. Red Storm (Tom Clancy's video game studio) used to be based out of RTP (no idea if they are still around or still there), and I was lucky enough to get to do some alpha testing for them back in the day (prior to Splinter Cell, their big game was "Rainbow Six").

Rainbow Six Vegas was one of the best first person shooters I have ever played. Something about firefights in a casino...

Yeah yeah, off topic, I know.

[BD80]

Rainbow Six Vegas was one of the best first person shooters I have ever played. Something about firefights in a casino...

Yeah yeah, off topic, I know.

Doesn't this belong in one of the recruiting threads?

[Udaman]

JE - Is this a movie worth seeing in 3D and/or IMAX, or will you get just as much from a regular viewing?

[JasonEvans]

JE - Is this a movie worth seeing in 3D and/or IMAX, or will you get just as much from a regular viewing?

It takes something truly special in terms of imagery for me to recommend 3D. So, I would say do not bother with that cost on this one.

That said, this is a gorgeous film at times -- some of the battle scenes are Saving Private Ryan-like -- so I could maybe see doing the IMAX thing. It depends on how much the extra ticket price bothers you.

But, the bottom line is that this film is worth seeing because of the story, not the images.

-Jason "I can already tell that the headlines are going to talk about what a boxoffice bomb this is after this weekend, but I bet it has real legs and word of mouth. I am going to see it again, for sure" Evans

[bjornolf]

Do we know if it was filmed in IMAX?

[Reisen]

Thanks, Jason. Looking forward to it. I also enjoyed Oblivion, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, and, crazy enough, Jumper.

I didn't realize they were working on a Splinter Cell movie. That could be great. Red Storm (Tom Clancy's video game studio) used to be based out of RTP (no idea if they are still around or still there), and I was lucky enough to get to do some alpha testing for them back in the day (prior to Splinter Cell, their big game was "Rainbow Six").

Saw it today, loved it. Really, really good. I'm having a hard time remember a movie I liked this much recently. I also saw X Men the other day, which I enjoyed, but was nowhere near as good as Edge of Tomorrow.

I definitely liked Edge better than Looper.

I have some minor quibbles to pick, such as why everyone had such a hard time believing Cruise was time traveling, yet we're in the midst of an extinction-level alien invasion. But overall, most of it made sense, and I even enjoyed the end.

[JasonEvans]

... and I even enjoyed the end.

I believed every word you wrote until those last 6 words. It is impossible to like the ending of this film. It is a massive cop out and makes zero sense. This is "Bobby's death was all a dream" level of storytelling. Infuriating.

-Jason "but the rest of it was a really great flick!" Evans

[Reisen]

I believed every word you wrote until those last 6 words. It is impossible to like the ending of this film. It is a massive cop out and makes zero sense. This is "Bobby's death was all a dream" level of storytelling. Infuriating.

-Jason "but the rest of it was a really great flick!" Evans

So, I'll be interested in a discussion of the ending, but since the movie is so new, I figure we'll wait a few weeks. Mrs. Reisen definitely didn't get it, but I have some theories how it could have made sense.

I should add the audience liked it (the movie, not necessarily the end) enough to applaud right after the final scene.

[duke23]

So, I'll be interested in a discussion of the ending, but since the movie is so new, I figure we'll wait a few weeks. Mrs. Reisen definitely didn't get it, but I have some theories how it could have made sense.

I should add the audience liked it (the movie, not necessarily the end) enough to applaud right after the final scene.

I would love to hear them (not being sarcastic), because I really enjoyed the movie, and I desperately wanted to find a way where the end made sense so that I wasn't sorely disappointed with it, but I came up empty. Maybe a spoiler thread is needed for this one.

[Udaman]

Saw it this weekend with my son (who loved it).

My thoughts:

1) Best movie of the summer thus far (with X-Men a very close 2nd). I thought the action was great. The humor nicely done. The story engaging. The acting outstanding, and the special effects inherently believable.

2) Cruise was outstanding. I liked Oblivion as well. I think he's making a pretty decent comeback.

3) I think what I liked most about the movie was its interpretation of war and the people who are in leadership positions during it. The sergeant (played extremely well by Paxton) only cared about honor and glory. The lives of his men and women meant nothing to him. Yeah it was a knockoff of Full Metal Jacket, but it was done convincingly. The real jerk was the General. He put Cruise's character on the front lines just to be a jerk - and knew that it would mean him getting killed. He was a masochist who was (ironically) just like Cruise's character - a person who isn't on the front lines boasting about the sacrifices of those who were.

4) The first 20 minutes were outstanding. Cruise with the General, and then Cruise's sheer terror at what was happening, and then how he died. Just good stuff.

5) Cruise's relationship with the Angel of Death was good as well. Very believable (with no nudity).

6) 2nd most favorite thing was how much like any first person shoot em up video game this was. Anyone (and I mean anyone) who has played a Call of Duty game can relate to this movie. You get to a level, you get killed, then you play again and learn from it. And again, and again, and by the end the level is easy because you know where the bad guys are going to be. So what kills you quickly at first becomes nothing more than a memorization trick later on. Of course with Call of Duty once you get past one level if you die you start at the 2nd one. It would be really tough to have to go back to the beginning. More annoying (and kind of maddening). So maybe this movie is more like Angry Birds.

OK - it wasn't a perfect movie. The time travel thing (as always) contradicts itself too much. I liked how if you kill one of the blue things then the aliens reset time and know what is coming but it gets too tricky with who is in control of the time manipulation. And I agree with someone else who asked why it would be so hard for the sergeant to believe his story about time travel. There's simply no way that he could know all that stuff. The first time I could get (they would just think he was trying to get out of combat)...but after he got to know them all as intricately as he did, they would believe him. I guess they did in the end, but still.

Also, I would have liked to see Cruise "losing it" more often. Having to go through that would likely drive you crazy for a while. It would have been nice, for example, for the first time he walked into the General's office for Cruise to just go crazy and kill the General right there, then turn to Rita and say "Sorry. But this guy had that coming." Then maybe do it again, just for laughs and have him say. "OK, last time, I promise." They could have had him killing himself more as well.

And now we have the ending...At first, I felt very much like JE did. That it was a HUGE copout. The ending could have very easily ended with Cruise floating down to the Omega. So driving home from the theater I was really wracking my brain for why they did that ending. It had to be something other than "we don't want the hero to die." My final interpretation is this....the Omega was an honorable opponent. It knew that Cruise had been using the time travel thing and had figured out a way to beat the aliens. In a graceful death, it granted Cruise the right to live - sending him back to before he landed, and then sending itself back to that time as well - only having been beaten by Cruise. Basically saying "You win. Congratulations. No hard feelings. Let's reset where you get to be the true victor." That's my only excuse. I sort of liked that Cruise got to win and all the good guys got to live, but it was a copout. My son asked me "Did Rita remember everything as well?" and I said "No way. But Cruise's character would explain to her what happened, and given all the information he knew he would be able to convince her." To me the bigger question is would he be able to convince anyone else of what had happened, and would he even try?

Anyway, I will definitely see this movie again.

Also, for those keeping score. Godzilla is now at $185M in its 24th day. Spiderman 2 was at $184.9M on its 24th day. But its 25th Day was Memorial Day and it did $2.1M on that day. Godzilla will be $1M less than that today. Also Godzilla did about $5.95M this past weekend. If it falls 50% next weekend (and it will because it's about to have its number of screens massively cut back due to 22 Jump Street and How to Train your Dragon) then it will come in around $2.98M. Spiderman2 in the same weekend did $3.78M. All of this is to say that Spiderman 2 is going to finish ahead of Godzilla (I'm about 98% sure of that now).

[camion]

Serious Spoilers in this link.

I like the explanation of the movie ending and loop resetting given in the link, but it uses information not in the movie so other interpretations could certainly be valid.

As far as the rest of the movie goes I thought it was good. Any reservations I have are probably related to my general lack of interest in movies of this type (movies with lots or carnage).

Other random thoughts.

Yep, you can't see this movie without thinking "Groundhog Day."

Emily Blunt has done two serious sci fi flicks now, at least in this timeline.

[Jim3k]

First off, I unexpectedly like this movie. Cruise may be in his 50s, but he still plays well as an action actor.

The premise is unusual and provides some food for thought. Emily Blunt is outstanding, though Paxton actually wasn't tested; he got to play the same part with some different takes.

As for the ending, most sci fi pics have the same problem. Can you reconcile the conclusion with what went before? Often you cannot and the same is true here. Still, is it a real shortcoming? I don't think so. It didn't affect my enjoyability meter.

Anyway, I saw this based upon the thread members' recommendation. As usual, the DBR group made a good one.

[Wander]

Does Tom Cruise now have the permanent ability to reset the day? Is there going to be a sequel where he's a superhero or supervillain? Agreed with the "great movie, lame ending" summary.

If anyone has ever played the indie video game Braid, the movie was a lot like that.

[JNort]

Just saw it a little bit ago for the first time and here's my take on the ending:

When the omega blows up its "blood" gets on Cruise, well same deal with the alpha it can reset a day. Well since it's now destroyed that particular omega can no longer have any influence on the world from the point Cruise got involved which just so happens to have been when he was to be assigned to frontline duty. That's why he got reset to just before he was gonna be assigned.

[JNort]

Does Tom Cruise now have the permanent ability to reset the day? Is there going to be a sequel where he's a superhero or supervillain? Agreed with the "great movie, lame ending" summary.

If anyone has ever played the indie video game Braid, the movie was a lot like that.

No because the ability to reset came from the omega, with the omega now destroyed there is no longer a source of power for reset