Movie Review: Edge of Tomorrow (2014)

Edge of Tomorrow (2014) directed by Doug Liman

In a not-too-distant future, an asteroid crashes into the middle of Europe. Vicious aliens (which the humans call "Mimics") were on the asteroid and begin taking over the Earth. They seem unstoppable as they advance with speed and unfailing assaults, until Verdun. At that battle, Rita Vrataski (Emily Blunt) was able to kill over a hundred Mimics and turn the tide. The human military develops new, heavily armed exo-skeltons for the soldiers to use, led by Rita. A massive battle is planned, launching from England to create a beachhead in France.

I hate to explain much more of the set-up because the film is surprising (in a good way) very early on and keeps up an intelligent, unpredictable plot throughout the film. Tom Cruise is in fine form in the action sequences and in performing an interesting character. He winds up in the battle and inadvertently gains the ability to relive the day--once he's killed, he goes back to a certain point on the previous day. So he fights again and again, Groundhog Day style, until he can find a way to beat the aliens. The movie has great pacing and performances. The time-travel angle is handled very well. The ending has a "Wait, what just happened?" feeling that takes away from the film's greatness, though by that point the film had earned enough respect to make me think I had missed something rather than it was lazy writing. The more I've thought about it, I've come up with a plausible theory to justify the end.

Recommended, especially for the intelligent sci-fi fan.

WARNING: The movie was disappointing at the box office, so in an effort to get better DVD/Blu Ray/Streaming sales, they packaged it so it looks like the title is "Live.Die.Repeat." Don't sweat it!