Starship Troopers Meets Groundhog Day

Rating: 7/10 (2 January 2015)

In the not too distant future the world is engulfed in battle with aliens. Tom Cruise plays Cage, a military media liaison, sent to Europe to talk with top military officials about their current success in pushing back the alien invasion. Europe has developed recently developed an armor type suit that has proved effective. Cage's meeting with General Birgham goes sour and while attempting to resist arrest Cage is knocked out. Upon waking up he finds himself stripped of all identification and credentials, now placed in the military effort framed as a deserter. Despite his attempt to explain his situation he is geared up and sent off to the front lines to fight the alien insurgence. He is air dropped in a futuristic invasion of Normandy like beach advance. During what is a very violent and merciless slaughter of human troops Cage manages to kill one of the larger aliens. When covered in the alien's blood it inadvertently transfers its special time manipulating powers over to him. So now when killed, his day is reset back to his first moment from when he comes through as an infantry recruit having been stripped of all his identification. After several runs of the same day over and over again, Cage meets up with the military's star solider Rita played by Emily Blunt. Cage finds out that part of her success as a solider stems from the fact that she too had once experienced the same phenomena. Together they attempt to use Cage's power of time rest to unravel the enemy alien inner workings and save the world. This is a great new Tom Cruise classic. Its Star Ship Troopers (1997) meets Groundhog Day (1993), in an edge of your seat non-stop fun, sci-fi adventure. Tom Cruise has totally redeemed for his recent lack luster box office offerings. Emily Blunt adds herself to the ranks of Sigourney Weaver's Ripley and Linda Hamilton's Sarah Connor. Not often do strong female roles come along in films like this and she nails it; tough, strong willed and ready to kick ass. A much better role model for young girls who envy Disney princesses, who wait for their prince to come save the day. This movie is a refreshing alternative to todays, comic book, teen novel, sequels and reboots that seem to dominate the box office. I am not sure how well this movie would function as a sequel and quite honestly it doesn't matter. We can do without its mediocre sequel, this film by itself is awesome high octane action. A great choice and gets my full recommendation when it's your turn to pick.
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