Terrific

Rating: 7/10 (11 October 2014)

Tom Cruise may not get much respect these days but, for my money, he's one of the most consistent actors that delivers entertaining movies. I can't recall the last Cruise movie I disliked. This one's a fun, smart sci-fi action movie. Parts of it remind me of other movies like Groundhog Day and Starship Troopers but it never strays into rip-off territory. Cruise is in top form. You either like him or you don't. Nothing about his performance here is likely to change your mind about him. Emily Blunt is beautiful, which seems to be a point of contention for some who feel she's too attractive for the role. One wonders if these same people have ever said "that guy's too good-looking to be a believable action hero." Doubtful. Regardless, she's great in the movie and has good chemistry with Cruise. Bill Paxton has a supporting part but he's always fun. He pretty much steals every scene he has. The action and special effects are good, although the designs for the aliens are a little on the unimaginative side. It isn't a big dumb Michael Bay movie, which I appreciated. The ending of the film won't please everybody but I liked it. It's a summer blockbuster that doesn't assume its audience is full of morons. It's one of the best movies I've seen this year.