Review: Edge of Tomorrow

It was said in an article that went viral a few weeks ago that Tom Cruise was the last movie star.  Essentially it argued that he is the last star that his name alone could reliably get butts in the movie theater.  While I disagree that he's the last (Jennifer Lawrence does a FINE job of being a huge box office draw), I do think he is one of the great actors of our time.  He always gives a compelling and charismatic performance.  Many argue that his character is the same in every one of his films, and that's mostly true.  But, as my high school choir teacher would say: if it isn't baroque, don't fix it (Also, if you want to see him in a different performance, watch the VERY family-unfriendly film Tropic Thunder). 

Review
In Edge of Tomorrow, Cruise does it again.  I think he gives his best performance since Knight and Day (if you haven't seen Knight and Day, shame on you).  And then include Emily Blunt as his co-star, and you have a recipe for perfection.  Everything that Blunt touches turns to gold as far as I'm concerned.  In this film she is as amazing as she has ever been.

The script is very well written and marvelously executed.  Many of us thought this film would just be another crap comic-book adaptation like R.I.P.D. or Ghost Rider.  But it turns out that it's one of the smartest and most character driven sci-fi films of the last few years. 

The music score is wonderful as well.  I've been listening to it a lot since returning from the theater and I have to say it's among Christopher Beck's best.  (I was introduced to Beck at a young age via one of the most compelling TV scores of all time, Buffy the Vampire Slayer). 

The only problems that the film has is that there are a few rather large leaps of logic made in the film's ending.  Many critics will say that the film 'falls apart' at that point.  However, I wasn't bothered as much as others, though I did notice them.  The film ends very different from the book it was based on (originally titled All You Need Is Kill) and that is kind of felt.  But, again, it didn't bother me as much as others.

Conclusion
Edge of Tomorrow is a brilliant film that must be experienced in the theater.  It's smart and doesn't treat its audience as dumb.  It's wonderfully acted and the characters are so rich.  I highly recommend this film to anyone who likes Sci-Fi.  4.5/5 Disco Balls

Parents Guide
This film is very violent, although not necessarily very bloody.  A major plot point is that Tom Cruise must live the day over and over again, and in order to reset the day he must die.  It's usually not bloody or gory, but he and his colleagues die A LOT.