Time looping is not fun.

Rating: 8/10 (16 July 2014)

Time travel and time loops, two literary contrivances that must be applied with care. In this movie, these contrivances work. It works because of the principal character, Major Cage, played by Tom Cruise. With each loop, more and more information is revealed about Major Cage, who is the subject of the movie. It is an interesting way of telling a story. When the looping stops, no more is learned about Cage and the movie ends, rather predictably, and a predictable ending never helps a movie. The mixture of science fiction and suspense adds to the story, as one wonders what will finally happen to Major Cage. He's a reluctant hero and is caught up in war and in a time travel infundibulum that is reminiscent of Billy Pilgrim's travels in Slaughter House Five and Phil Connors' in Groundhog Day, but without sentimentality or corniness. Yet, one can care about Cage as he struggles to make sense out of what initially is a confusing situation. Tom Cruise succeeds in playing his role well and in carrying the movie.