Why did I even bother watching Edge of Tomorrow? I had a feeling I wouldn’t like it and I was right. The story as such isn’t bad, though.
A US military officer, Tom Cruise, is brought to London to help in a war against aliens. He clashes with the British commanding officer and while he didn’t want to go into combat, as he’s inexperienced, he wakes up, handcuffed, ready to be shipped to occupied France to fight a powerful enemy. The first episodes are a mix of comedy and action and that’s why I started disliking the movie from the beginning. I’m not sure there really was a need to play it like this. It set the tone wrong as, ultimately, this isn’t another Tropic Thunder and, in spite of the initial groundhog day feel, it would have worked better if it had been darker.
Our officer is shipped to France, in spite of his protests, and finds himself battling the enemy in heavy armour and gear. Next to him on the battle field is the war hero Angel of Verdun (Emily Blunt), a highly trained fighter. She’s killed while he shoots one of the aliens.
And then he wakes up handcuffed again and the story seems to start from scratch.
Since I like some military sci-fi, I think I might have liked this, if there hadn’t been any comedic acting at all. Was that Tom Cruise’s choice, I wonder? It think it’s too bad because when you subtract that you have an action-packed, edgy, dark sci-fi adventure with a great finale.
I liked that it used imagery and battles of former wars – Verdun – D-Day landing etc. That gave it an almost creepy, and certainly chilling element.
The Edge of Tomorrow isn’t bad, it’s just not consistent. The mood’s a huge mess, in my opinion. It should have been consistently dark. It’s still watchable but not Tom Cruise’s best performance. I’d even say it was the weakest I’ve ever seen. At least Emily Blunt’s surprisingly at home in this role. Nonetheless, if you like action-packed Sci-Fi, you might enjoy it.
The trailer is one of those that makes you expect a very different movie.
All About War Movies 
I haven’t seen this but I get exactly what you are saying. Mood is so important–esp in a film such as this. Thanks for bothering. Now I don’t have to.
It could have been quite good, in a very action-driven kind of way, but they shouldn’t have added parody/humor.
There’s so much to watch . . .
Funny. I’m no fan of SciFi or Tom Cruise, but I liked this one for the same reason I liked Groundhogs Day: they are both about personal growth and second chances.
The Tom Cruise character begins the movie both as a coward and incompetent. With each repeated death, he gains a little in courage, wisdom and intellectual flexibility. By the end of the movie, he is nothing like the character he was at the beginning.
Also, the invasion scenes were compelling: reminiscent of The Longrst Day and Saving Private Ryan.
I agree about the invasion scenes. The movie had it’s moments and there was character development but I wasn’t keen. Good to hear another opinion, though.
It could have been great as a 25 min. Twilight Zone episode. Alas…
I too found that the idea was speard a bit thin.
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=1864+trailer&FORM=VIRE1#view=detail&mid=56472B1D7051BE3FC9B756472B1D7051BE3FC9B7
A Danish series: 1864
Here’s the trailer. Looks good.
Thanks a lot. I’ll have a look.
Just released in the UK on dvd earlier this month.
Thanks.
Hello all
I recommend you to read the manga :
“All you need is kill” (complete)
http://mangapark.me/manga/all-you-need-is-kill-sakurazaka-hiroshi
It’s the base for the movie
Have Fun !
Cool. Thanks Rayearth. I’ll certainly have a look.