"Edge of Tomorrow" is an explosive, exciting, new sci-fi film under the direction of Doug Liman. It will stir memories of previous films: there are elements of "Groundhog Day" and "Memento" woven into the ideas behind the story's fabric. It will resonate deeply with viewers who hunger for a thoughtful, engrossing plot and believable, complex characters.
Tom Cruise plays a man by the name of Cage who finds himself caught in a mysterious time loop in which he wakes up with the exact same scenario and obstacles ahead of him every time he dies. It turns out he has inherited this ability to constantly relive the same thing over and over by being infused with the chemicals of an alien being he has killed in combat. This alien is part of a deadly race of beings who are threatening the livelihood of the entire planet.
At first Cage is inexperienced in combat and in his dealings with this fearsome foe. But as he constantly is reborn in the exact same moment and is able to remember his previous incarnations, he gains experience, knowledge, and training that will serve him well as he goes on. He meets a legendary warrior named Rita (Emily Blunt) who he must convince of his strange predicament. Together they can figure out from his constant reincarnations, what the appropriate actions will be to destroy the enemy.
The film is damned exciting and never lets up from the get-go. It is extremely intelligent, but never alienates the viewer by delving into too much complexity and mischievous plot devices. It paints a glorious picture of a future dystopian planet where the very survival of humanity is in question. Tom Cruise is perfectly cast and Emily Blunt is great playing a tough-as-nails female soldier.
The constant reincarnation of Cage in the exact same moment is never stretched to a boring level. It is done very appropriately and the editing is skilled in what it leaves out: we don't have to go through everything each time he is reborn and the essential story-line fragments are kept so that the viewer never loses his or her bearings.
This is one of the best films I've seen in 2014. It may be slightly derivative but it makes use of these familiar story-telling devices in unique and imaginative ways. You will have a great time.
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