Edge of Tomorrow

It comes as no surprise that Doug Liman, director of incredibly popular The Bourne Identity and 1996’s classic comedy Swingers, has created yet another thrilling sci-fi that is teaming with both action and comedy.

Set in the present day during a war against a powerful alien invasion, Major William Cage (Tom Cruise) is forced into battle against the enemy only to wake up hours earlier on dying a violent death. He continues to replay the day, stuck in a time loop, forced into combat over and over. With the help of Rita Vrataski (Emily Blunt), a special forces warrior, he must use this power to help end the war.

Fans of Cruise will be intrigued by his refreshing choice of role: Cage is the opposite of classic characters that have come before. A reluctant hero, afraid to do battle, stuck in a terrifying situation that he must learn to improve – for once Cruise appears sympathetic and human, making this one of the finest of his films in years. For all his haters, there’s the opportunity to watch him violently die hundreds of times.

Those who play any kind of video game will understand the frustration of dying and having to start all over again from the same spot, Edge of Tomorrow captures this well with surprising amount of humour and wit. The film manages to stay away from tired clichés and conventions and keeps a high level of energy until the final act, where it unfortunately reverts to a more familiar climax. However, the script is surprisingly sophisticated; exploring themes of fate and toying with different viewpoints, it offers something fresh to the action genre.

Though not an instant classic, Edge of Tomorrow balances horrific battle scenes with a good measure of fun and comedy that’s sure to entertain even the hardiest sci-fi skeptics.

Violet Myers

Edge of Tomorrow is released nationwide on 30^th May 2014.

Watch the trailer for Edge of Tomorrow here: