Film Review: Edge Of Tomorrow (2014)

'Edge Of Tomorrow' (UK Release: 30 May '14) // Words: Saam Das

"There's something for everyone - if you love Tom Cruise, he gives this amazing performance...if you hate Tom Cruise, he dies like 200 times in the movie." Credit to director Doug Liman for one of the best pitches for a film ever. Based on Japanese graphic novel, 'All You Need Is Kill', 'Edge Of Tomorrow' combines the time loop routine of 'Groundhog Day' with the alien close combat action of 'Battle: Los Angeles'.

Cruise plays William Cage, a successful US Army PR, who unexpectedly finds himself cast on the battlefield against an invading race of aliens dubbed "mimics" - who bear resemblance to the Sentinels of 'The Matrix' trilogy, and render 3D viewing actually somewhat worthwhile. Humanity's efforts are aided by new metal exoskeleton combat suits but as expected, Cage is killed in battle. Except Cage immediately wakes up to his face his last day again. And again. And again.

Cage's repeated battles team him with expert soldier, Rita "Full Metal Bitch" Vrataski (Emily Blunt), who becomes his trainer and the potential source of both his own salvation as well as for the rest of humankind. A relationship which proceed to encompass the (romantic, despite a lack of chemistry) sub-plot for 'Edge Of Tomorrow'. Which is a shame, as elsewhere, it's refreshing to see the film largely take place across Europe, rather than the typically America-centric "world invasion films" - 'Independence Day', the 'Transformers' franchise etc.

Doug Liman's assertive eye for action (as seen in the likes of 'Go' and 'The Bourne Identity') is accompanied by a certain playfulness brought through the premise and James Herbert's on-your-toes editing. Christopher McQuarrie, Jez Butterworth, John Henry Butterworth are credited for the taut screenplay, although the film's emotions never quite rise to the same manner as its internal world-saving ambitions.

★★★½
(7/10)

'Edge Of Tomorrow' is out now in UK cinemas through Warner Bros.