Original, Intelligent and Thrilling Sci-FI.

Rating: 8/10 (9 July 2014)

"Edge of Tomorrow" (2014), directed by Doug Liman, is a military science fiction film that revolves around Cruise's character endlessly repeating the same day, always dying, to explore his evolution from coward to hero. By deftly showing Cruise's changing responses to the same people and events in the run-up to landing in the battle zone, he undergoes a subtle metamorphosis. From attempting blackmail on General Brigham (Brendan Gleeson) in order to avoid action to eventually realising he alone can combat the alien threat, it's a well-written character arc. He is allowed to handle a complex role which can switch deftly from seriousness to black humour (stemming from him being able to predict what other characters' are about to say and do due to his multitude of deaths). It's his best performance in a long time, benefiting from the intelligence of the material he has to work with. It's also a testament to the script that the time loop never becomes tiresome, but instead is constantly inventive in its repetition, the storytelling enlivened by the elliptical editing of James Herbert and Laura Jennings. Scripted by Christopher McQuarrie, Jez and John-Henry Butterworth (based on the Japanese novel "All You Need Is Kill" by Hiroshi Sakurazaka), they handle the variety of plot threads and main duplication of the same day very well.
Emily Blunt, playing a renowned warrior, has the more limited role, her character 'reset' every time Cruise dies, but nevertheless shows her ability to project external strength and an admirable lack of sentiment in her training of Cruise. Bill Paxton as a tough Sergeant Major is fairly one-note, but it's a fun note all the same, Paxton clearly enjoying himself in his constant admonishing of Cruise.
Director Liman is able to deal with kinetic action scenes as well as quieter, character-orientated moments, whilst cleverly altering how he films repeating sequences. The main battle scene on the French beach is a good example, initially staying with Cruise's point of view, but gradually revealing more information each time, until around midway through, Liman pulls his camera back and reveals in a long shot the enormity of the military operation. Visually, he and his cinematographer Dion Beebe are aided by the interesting production design, in particular the exoskeletons the soldiers wear and the design of the aliens themselves, which creates a neat dichotomy with the contemporary appearance of much of this near-future world.
If its final act is slightly weaker, preventing it from becoming truly excellent, this is certainly a far sharper, original and more intriguing sci-fi action film than is normally found.