Good start, Good start, Good start, let down ending

Rating: Null/10 (21 June 2014)

Roger Ebert once said "games will never be art", I would argue that films like this prove that most mainstream films don't qualify as art. The only surprise was how quickly the film did a 180 and went from a potentially new and interesting character for Cruise and a reversal of the hero heroin roles. There are plenty of examples in both the film and game world where, a successful endeavour spawns hundreds of cheap ripoffs, Edge at least has the distinction of not being cheap.
Acting is fine, special effects are indeed special, but what I went looking for quickly descended into mediocrity and playing it safe. The film starts well, Cruise for once, isn't the typical hero, he is more an anti hero, I was expecting something intelligent from Hollywood for once, perhaps finally 14 years into the 21st century we might have a mainstream film where the male lead is rescued by the female lead, but looking back, I realise how incredibly naive that was, and I strongly suspect it will never happen. Given a choice main stream media will always choose the safe option, for fear of loosing money. Despite the fact that films make the vast majority of their money in the first few weeks of release, and most people make their choice to see or buy regardless of other peoples opinion, so a risk wouldn't really be a risk.
Despite this fact Edge ticks all the obligatory boxes, big name actor check, big budget check, special effects fest check, but a real opportunity for Cruise and main stream film making to challenge and grow was missed. Instead of an anti hero who has to rely on the woman, Cruise becomes the typical action man character he's always portrayed. Instead of a strong female lead that who isn't eclipsed by her co star, she's there as love interest. The biggest let down was the last 20 minutes, where the matrix ripoffs came thick and fast. Plot descended quickly between expendable extras who presence was barely needed, Cruise suddenly able to take bone crushing, organ squishing injuries in his stride, and the female lead deciding hes the one for her despite them only just having met. The ending made no sense and felt like the story had been rewritten to incorporate a happy ending that was never intended in the original script. The one thing that elevated it, was the script, good writing, with a few laughs and well rounded characters kept my interest, and it was only in the last few minutes of the film that this too lost credibility.
All in all, I feel more let down because of the great start and great writing, which lifted my expectations. If the film hadn't relied so heavily on clichés and unoriginal choices towards the end this could have been a great film. If anyones listening, how about a directors cut, with an ending that better reflects the reality portrayed in the first half of the film.