Groundhog Tom
Director: Doug Liman
Running time: 113 mins
Cast: Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Bill Paxton, Brendan Gleeson
Summer 2014 so far has been somewhat of a disappointment in terms of big action movies. Godzilla was mostly a snoozefest and X-Men: Days of Future Past was average at best. So why would an original concept that hasn’t been marketed as heavily or been as hyped by film fans be any different? Well it just is, OK? I could just leave the review there but that wouldn’t do this gem of a movie justice. Edge of Tomorrow is a fun, high-concept, sci-fi romp in the same vein as Groundhog Day or Source Code. While Groundhog brought the laughs and Source Code took a serious spin on the subject, EoT hits a sweet spot in between.
The plot is simpler than you might imagine. Cowardly Major, Bill Cage (Tom Cruise) is sent to the front-line of a war against an alien force known as the Mimics that threatens the entire Earth. While involved in the assault on a French beach, Cage is killed in action. Instead of being the shortest Tom Cruise film ever made, Cage wakes up one day earlier to do the whole thing again. The questions are about how this has happened and how it may help in the war effort. After the concept is explained, we’re introduced to Rita Vrataski (Emily Blunt) a kick ass war hero who will train Cage to fulfill his full potential and go from zero to hero.
Its a silly story but fortunately EoT doesn’t take itself overly serious. Unlike other science-fiction films I could mention this film doesn’t disappear up its own ass *cough…Elysium*. Much of the humour is to be had in the ways Cage dies including a broken spine, drowning, explosions, bullets, and in one very funny scene, death by truck. Where Source Code focused on tragedy, EoT revels in its bold futuristic vision. This is helped in large part by the two leads Cruise and Blunt. Cruise is immensely likable as the chickenshit military media man thrust into a war he was actively trying to avoid, while Blunt is excellent as a hard ass warrior woman who carries a huge Final Fantasy style sword into combat. Known as the ‘Full Metal Bitch’, this is no damsel in distress, and she more than holds her own against any of the male characters.
Which brings me to the action which is routinely great. The main battle that is relived time and time again is a near future D-Day landing with utter chaos occurring all over each frame as soldiers battle the Mimics in uber-cool combat exoskeletons. The aliens are decent appearing similar to the Sentinels in The Matrix trilogy but with a far higher body-count. Sand and dirt is spat up by the carnage putting you right in Cage’s shoes as the conflict rages on. The effects are great with the film having a dirty, used, real feel instead of a shiny, clean future look.
Edge of Tomorrow exceeds on many levels mainly in acting, lightness of tone and action. The story-line does become less interesting as the movie progresses but is nevertheless always entertaining. Action-light scenes are lifted with humour and the chemistry between Cruise and Blunt is a pleasure to witness. It succeeds where the other summer blockbusters have failed by being distinct and original and most of all fun. Edge of Tomorrow is director Doug Liman’s best movie since The Bourne Identity and comes highly recommended to action sci-fi fans. Go see it.
8/10
Screenkicker Quality Index (SQI)
BEST
Screenkicker! 
Good to know! I was dreading this one but now looking forward to it
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Hmm, I’m debating what to go see tomorrow night, I never really considered this but thanks, I may see it after all 🙂
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Give it a go, it’s very enjoyable!
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The trailers didn’t get me excited for this movie but positive reviews like yours do. I’m down to see some Full Metal Bitch kicking butt and watching Cruise die over and over again. 🙂 I actually I think Cruise is still making good movies, nice to know this is another good one I hope to check out when its out here.
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Thanks for the comment! Yeah i was genuinely surprised with how much i liked it
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Nice! I usually avoid most of the summer action blockbusters, but this one sounds promising.
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Not expecting much, so it sounds like I will be impressed based on your review. Nice stuff. I really enjoyed Godzilla though and think it is the best blockbuster of the season so far.
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It’s not a classic but it’s definitely a pleasant surprise
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Watched this a few days back. Definitely not getting the love it deserves.
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Its not perfect but I had such a good time during it
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I think this is the first film where Tom Cruise has done a scene with a caravan.
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Nice review, and glad to see it getting some praise here and there. I’m off to see it tonight and pretty keen to see Cruise in a different kind of role to the normal ultra-capable hero.
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Looking forward to seeing what you think of it
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I was so ready to not bother with this film, after the most recent trailer was utter arse. But every single review I read seems to be positive, so I might need to take a look.
Did you see it in 3D or just standard?
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I saw it in 2D. I didn’t think much of trailers either. They made it all seem too serious when it’s actually a fun action film. I think you’d enjoy it
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Yeah definitely was not getting a fun action film vibe from the trailers at all. Will hopefully be able to catch it this weekend.
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I actually really want to see this. It seems right up my alley. I loved Source Code, and glad to hear that this movie isn’t jerking off into its own mouth like Elysium.
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Wow. Now that’s a lovely image in my head. Lol. :-p
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Saw this movie yesterday and was pleasently surprised. Emily Blunt was brilliant. I’d love to see a prequel with her character in the battle at Verdun. Great review.
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Spamala, I’m a little pissed that Emily Blunt’s character stole my nickname.
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I don’t remember her being called ‘Dick Snot’
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Dick Snot! Has Eric been talking about me?
And how did you get Spamala and I get Dick Snot? I think there is a definite unbalance in the nickname department.
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I don’t know, they’re both things you don’t want to find in your intray
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Great review Mikey! The trailers didn’t really interest me, but your review makes me want to see this. I want to check this out! Nice to hear that Emily Blunt did a good job.
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I hate Tom Cruise but I love Emily Blunt… what to do…
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Hehe. Ditto, Abbi. Blunt more than makes up for Cruise, though. 😉
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I would turn for her.
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Lol! I kind of feel that way even more since Edge Of Tomorrow… ; )
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Wow this news is simply baffling. I don’t know why I’m so surprised, I guess just because the trailer for this makes me laugh each and every time, but this is excellent news. I look forward to being (hopefully) very pleasantly surprised! Screenkick-ass review Mikey!! 😉
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Thanks Tom! Nobody was more surprised than me as I apparently don’t like anything!
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No, you don’t. You’re right. 😉
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I’ll back Mike up, Tom. This is good! 🙂
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I’m very surprised that I keep hearing good things about this film. It seemed so blah and like pretty much every other film Cruise has done lately, but it sounds like a pretty decent flick! Maybe I’ll give it a shot…
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I bet you were expecting a 6/10 😉
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Bahaha I was!!
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Excellent work Mikey, hopefully going to see this tomorrow! Glad you found it almost universally entertaining.
Adam.
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Hope you like it Adam, let me know what you think
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Finally you are impressed by something eh? Proud of you! Anyways…this looked like utter horseshit at first. Not just because of the trailers but also because I have never been a fan of Cruise for some reason! However….all these positive reviews have made me change my mind!
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I surprised myself! I was starting to think i couldn’t take joy in anything! But i’m certain i’ll be back to handing out 6/10s soon 🙂
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Just a warning…you be careful what you give Dawn of the Planet of the Apes…or we will have a serious problem! If it is good that is…which it should be..or else my heart will be BROKEN!
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I’m very excited about that one. The first ever review I did on my site was Rise of the Planet of the Apes so its kind of a big deal for me 🙂
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I’m afraid The Probies will disown us soon, Mike. Thanks for having the correct opinion lately. 😉
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I was shocked at how much I liked this film. Just did my review but the more I think about the film the more I think I like it. Love a pleasant surprise at the cinema 😀
Great review Mike.
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Thanks mate, glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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