Film Review: Edge of Tomorrow

Science fiction blockbuster Edge of Tomorrow is tremendous fun. Doug Liman’s film is entertaining throughout.

A solider ends up out of his comfort zone, having to fight in a war against aliens. When he gets caught in a time loop, he seems destined to relive the same day over and over again…

With its premise, Edge of Tomorrow is reminiscent of Groundhog Day and Source Code. Nevertheless, it exudes an energy which is fresh and engaging. The opening sequence succinctly introduces the world in which the film takes place. Edge of Tomorrow is a better film for keeping the focus on the action and immediate consequences, even though the wider effect is in the background.

Doug Liman’s film delivers with its breed of fast-paced action. Sequences are finely executed, with action taking centre stage. Science fiction elements are present in the effects and overall narrative. Edge of Tomorrow does not rely heavily on explanation for the events and the predicament the characters are in, choosing to eschew this for a reliance on the mission in hand. This functions successfully to situate Edge of Tomorrow as an out and out action film. The only real downside is the lack of coherence of the very end of the film.

There is a surprising amount of humour in Edge of Tomorrow, with Liman playing of the time loop for laughs. This sense of comedy makes the film much more enjoyable. Special effects in the film are good, and the score works well to add drama.

Tom Cruise is on good form as Cage. It is the kind of role Cruise is experience in, and he does a good job here. Emily Blunt is also decent as Rita; working within a genre where she is steadily building form.

Edge of Tomorrow works well because it knows exactly what it wants to be, and executes this perfectly.

Stuff To Look At

Plenty of movie stuffs this week, including the latest Man of Steel TV spot, Disney’s Big Hero 6, the Coen Brothers’ latest and a Herzog re-release…

Man of Steel

Here is the new Man of Steel TV spot. Although the film looks exciting, the TV spot fails to answer the question everyone is asking; is Gus Gorman in this latest Superman film? Really, that’s what we want to know. Man of Steel, with or without Gus Gorman, is released in UK cinemas on 14th June 2013.

Big Hero 6

Here is the first look at Disney Animation’s Big Hero 6. I want to live in San Fransokyo, it looks amazing! The film is about a robotics prodigy who finds himself in the grips of  criminal plot that threatens the city. Big Hero 6 is due for release in the US on 7th November 2014.

Inside Llewyn Davis

Ethan and Joel Coen’s Inside Llewyn Davis is about a young folk singer in 1960s New York. The film stars Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan and Justin Timberlake. But who knows, the breakout star may be the cat in the first seen in this trailer. Inside Llewyn Davis is due for release in UK cinemas on 24th January 2014.

The World’s End

Edgar Wright’s latest offering is The World’s End, starring past collaborators Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. The film seems like exactly what one would expect from the trio; comedy and some very strange shenanigans. The World’s End hits UK screens on 19th July 2013.

The Internship

The Internship reunites Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn. The comedy is about two advertising salesmen who start an internship at Google. The trailer reminds me of that episode of Friends where Chandler starts an internship at an ad agency and he’s so much older than the rest of the interns. The Internship is out in UK cinemas on 4th July 2013.

About Time

Here is the first trailer for Richard Curtis’ latest film, About Time. The comedy stars Bill Nighy, Rachel McAdams and Domhall Gleeson. I’m getting Groundhog Day vibes from the trailer, although I think the film is going to weigh heavy on the whole consequences theme. About Time is released in UK cinemas on 6th September 2013.

Aguirre, Wrath of God

I wish Werner Herzog was narrating this trailer. Werner Herzog should narrate everything. Anyway, the director’s 1972 film Aguirre, Wrath of God gets a re-release as part of the BFI’s retrospective of Herzog in June. Aguirre, Wrath of God will be screened at the BFI and selected UK venues from 7th June 2013.