I came, I saw, I got my money's worth. What else is there?

Rating: 9/10 (7 June 2014)

This is a tricky premise. How to shoot a movie where a lot of the action is repetition? First, get two excellent actors as leads. Second, don't scrimp on the CGI or the artistic vision. And, lastly, get good writers involved.
I'd have to say that each of these, in order, was progressively less successful but still far better than most. The movie was especially memorable for its acting. Both Cruise and Blunt are in fine form. Blunt who I hadn't really noticed that much in other movies, definitely got my attention and admiration this time. The woman clearly understood all of the plot's ramifications and was every bit the committed soldier the story required. It was oddly moving to see. Most women don't really seem to understand what combat would mean. Cruise actually dialed it back a bit to start, but was skillfully in full action mode by its end.
A bit less enticing was the CGI and the alien antagonists though not enough to hurt or spoil the movie. The aliens are wonderfully aggressive though they seem to have been designed to do no more than wreak mayhem. I think if it were me I'd work on them a bit more, make them a little less frantic though what they've already filmed must have cost a fortune. The rest of the CGI was excellent and no complaints.
The last ingredient, the plot, could also use a little more work, but here I feel I'm being a bit of a perfectionist. The story's main idea is hard to miss and, in total, is well executed here considering what they're trying to describe. Few will be unmoved despite the bizarre premise and even though some of the details may have been lost.
The fact is I smiled to myself several times during this movie and afterward didn't feel in the least disappointed. I'd been thoroughly entertained and even intellectually challenged.
A great time at the movies!