"Edge of Tomorrow" Review

It shouldn't take a rocket scientist to see that the slew of blockbusters we've seen the last few summers haven't been very good. After a while, it's all started to look the same. It's sad that it's now considered rare for studios to take a chance on a big film that's actually original. I don't necessarily mean original "in concept"; only for the simple fact that it isn't a reboot or a franchise sequel.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that Edge of Tomorrow is that rare season original that stands out from the rest of the pack. What at first looked to me like an insipid video game rip-off with Tom Cruise turned out to be a clever, zippy, intense, and unexpectedly hilarious summer sci-fi outing.

Cruise stars as William Cage, a major in the United States Army who has so far avoided the front lines of an alien war by serving as a liaison to the world press. When new orders come in, Cage is shipped to the battlefront in Europe to meet the enemy head on. With no combat experience, he finds himself trapped in a time loop, living and dying in the same failed military attack again and again. Unsurprisingly, Cage eventually comes to hone his skills with the help of a Special Forces warrior named Rita Vritaski (Emily Blunt). Each cycle brings them closer to defeating the supposedly unbeatable enemy.

Such a high concept avoids coming off heavy-handed in the deft hands of director Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity). He has a keen eye for executing big set pieces while keeping the more intimate scenes just as engaging. The fact that the special effects are terrific, and the 3D transfer is one of the coolest I've ever seen cement the film's status as a standout blockbuster event rather than deride it.

Cruise and Blunt share decent chemistry that could used just a little improvement. But the pair bring so much energy to their roles that they're still fun to watch for two hours anyway.

Some might find the "Groundhog Day" concept of repeating events to get a bit tedious. That's understandable, but I found enough variance in each cycle to keep the entire production fresh. Every event serves to move the plot forward or to deepen our understanding of the characters. Writers Chris McQuarrie (Jack Reacher, The Usual Suspects), Jez Butterworth (The Last Legion) and John-Henry Butterworth (Get On Up) smartly approach the loop with the same sense of humor which characterized Groundhog Day and the intensity of Saving Private Ryan. You can't ask much more from a summer movie.

Don't be surprised if you find yourself slightly confounded by the ending. It helps if you have a friend to discuss with afterwards. That's what worked for me, and together we hashed it out in about 10 seconds.

Because it isn't part of a franchise, Warner Brothers is projecting Edge of Tomorrow to flop at the box office. MAKE SURE THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN! This will likely shape up to be the summer's most satisfying movie, so do not miss it, and be sure to see it in 3D.

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