Rating of
3/4
X-Men Was Good, But "Edge" is Better
Looneymanthegreat - wrote on 06/06/14
Sci-fi Groundhog Day is an idea that has been explored before in Source Code, but I honestly prefer Edge of Tomorrow over Source Code. Edge of Tomorrow takes a little bit more from Groundhog Day then I would prefer, but the execution here is nearly flawless. It’s about as good as a big brainless blockbuster can be.
Director Doug Liman taps into the same energy here that The Dark Knight used so perfectly. It is able to keep a constant and thrilling pace while still establishing character and giving out a message that’s a little bit deeper then your average Sci-fi actioner. Liman is best known for the first Bourne Identity movie, which is my favorite in the series, and that breakneck style that he uses is what keeps “Edge” from getting bogged down in its own heavy plot.
Everyone seems to be comparing this movie to Oblivion, Cruises last Sci-Fi thriller, but the comparison is not warranted. Oblivion was a series of sci-fi tropes thrown together without rhyme or reason, but Edge of Tomorrow works beyond the movies that it takes from. Sure it’s a lot like Groundhog Day, saving Private Ryan and Starship Troopers; but it’s not just a hodgepodge of those things. The movie does more with the material than just rip-it off.
One of the best parts of the movie is the relationship between Cruise’s character and Bunt’s. The two work off each other beautifully, and while the movie goes so fast that it’s easy to miss, there is a deeper message about human connectedness here, and due to some very strong writing we get a very good Idea of who these characters are, and how they change throughout the movie. Edge of Tomorrow isn’t good just because it’s a well made action/thriller, but because it’s a surprisingly well done human journey as well.
As far as the summer movie blockbuster scoreboard goes Edge of Tomorrow is the best so far; X-men was good but “Edge” is better. I’m honestly tempted to rate this movie a full 3.5/4 instead of just a ¾ due to how much fun I had, and how few problems I had with this movie. In the world of big dumb blockbusters this is pretty much the best you can ask for, I will be very surprised if I see a better action movie this year.
If you care about movies at all then go see this movie in the theater. Edge of Tomorrow is one of the few movies I’ve seen were I actually want there to be a sequel, and the only way that’s going to happen is if this movie makes money.
