EDGE OF TOMORROW Review; "One Of 2014's Best Movies"
With big releases filling up theatres lately, Edge of Tomorrow has flown somewhat under the radar. Well, you're not going to want to miss this one regardless, and you can read my spoiler-free take here!
Edge of Tomorrow was one of those movies I went into not knowing what to expect. I had a vague idea about the plot and had watched the odd trailer or two, but it wasn't a movie I had followed as closely as the likes of Captain America: The Winter Soldier and X-Men: Days of Future Past. Perhaps that's why I was so pleasantly surprised, as the movie is arguably one of the best releases of 2014 and a damn fine addition to the sci-fi genre.
The idea of someone reliving the same day over and over may not be particularly new, but Doug Liman handles it expertly here, making clever use of the concept. Each time Tom Cruise's initially cowardly (though it's not hard to relate to him or the position he finds himself in) Cage dies, he then has to try and retrace his footsteps and do things differently the next time. However, rather than show us the same scenes over and over again with a slightly different ending, Liman makes them all different enough to keep us hooked and when we do retread old ground, it's in a very refreshing or unexpected way. It's a great storytelling tool, and combined with the engrossing action, it makes Edge of Tomorrow one of the most exciting and thrilling movies I've seen in a very long time. At one point, Cage has relived the same day so many times that he expertly knows where and when to step through a crowded office building to avoid detection. It's clever!
Of course, things take a big turn when he meets Emily Blunt's Rita, and the relationship between the two is a fascinating aspect of the movie and just as engrossing as the action. Both Cruise and Blunt share an awful lot of chemistry, and their top notch performances more than make up for the mostly very annoying supporting cast of characters and their assortment of irritating accents (though it's fair to say that you'll probably quite like them by the time the credits roll). Why neither of these actors has been cast in a comic book movie is mind boggling, but expect to see both at their best in Edge of Tomorrow.
At just under two hours, the movie flies by, and is a visual spectacle from start to finish. These are some stunning special effects, though the alien invaders aren't particularly memorable despite being well-designed and exciting to watch. The ending feels a tiny bit tacked on for reasons which will become apparent when you see Edge of Tomorrow, but I personally loved it, and it simply made it all the more satisfying a viewing experience. Like Oblivion, I have a horrible feeling that Edge of Tomorrow won't find the success it deserves, but the appeal of Tom Cruise overseas and some great reviews will hopefully make a big difference. A sequel isn't necessarily a must, but I for one would love to spend some more time with these characters!
One of 2014's best movies, Edge of Tomorrow is a must-watch and will definitely leave sci-fi fans VERY happy.
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