Quick Review

Edge of Tomorrow sees Tom Cruise as a military marketing specialist being sent to the front line of a massive assault on an invading alien species, which has taken over most of Europe. Here he is infected with some weird alien blood and dies, but instead of staying dead he wakes up the day before with all memories intact. This begins his new life cycle. As he discovers more details about his surroundings and the aliens he sets out to put an end to the alien menace.

The movie takes this premise and has a great time with it. There is s great sense of humor to certain scenes and Tom Cruise is clearly enjoying himself immensely. Bill Paxton as Sergeant Farell stands out and delivers a note-perfect performance. The action is excellent and the special effects are well done. The relationship between Cruise and Emily Blunt draws out emotions to give the movie a greater impact and a sense of melancholy, even if it doesn't reach a movie like Groundhog Day on that level.

Leaving the theater I was in a state of confusion and was close to dismissing the movie as an illogical mess. Thinking about it further there are a few ways in which everything could make sense. But that would include quantum mechanic theories and some suspension of disbelief. Fortunately I can give a movie quite some leeway under specific circumstances, one of these being the science fiction genre.

Edge of Tomorrow is a fascinating experiment in cognitive estrangement and I'd highly recommend checking it out.


Online: Thursday, July 24, 2014

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