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Edge Of Tomorrow: Tight Scripting Sees This Sci-fi Action Machine Through

By Alec Siegel · June 9, 2014

We’re at an interesting juncture in the relationship between man and machine. Wars are still won on the ground, with blood and valor and sacrifice. But it’s man-made machines, cyborgs, drones, vehicles, etc. that are shaping the future of combat. In 2014, the majority of a workingman’s leisure time is spent with LED screens, controlling a pixelated soldier through a joystick and an “A” button. What does the future of warfare and PlayStation 4, 5, 6 and 7 have to do with the recently released Warner Bros. summer blockbuster Edge of Tomorrow? How about this for a video game concept or a potential picture of the future of war: Men and women from around the world fight side-by-side, in full body mechanized suits against a universal, alien enemy, against creatures who hold the key to time manipulation in their blood. For now, it’s the premise for a new Doug Liman (Swingers, The Bourne Identity, Mr. & Mrs. Smith) film, but it can just as believably fit in an Xbox or a history book from the next century.

Based on “All You Need Is Kill”, a 2004 novel by Japanese author Hiroshi Sakurazaka, Edge of Tomorrow succeeds where most modern sci-fi films fail, carefully tip-toeing the pitfalls of a genre known more for its visuals and created monsters than its emotional depth. The film benefits from a lean script and smart direction, and without those two factors, the film would be another Tom Cruise career back burner that is bloated with stunts and too old to believe machismo.

The concept here is that William Cage (Tom Cruise) is infected with a sort of alien time warp DNA, and is essentially able to live a day, make mistakes, die, and then relive the day and learn from his past mistakes. As one can imagine, this is both a blessing and a curse, as his newfound power is the only key to win the war against an unstoppable army of Mimics (the not so cleverly named aliens), but also a front row seat to death and destruction. Again and again and again. This mash-up of Groundhog Day and Aliens might seem like a repetitive nightmare, but the writers do a fantastic job of making sure the “time reset” trick is kept fresh, adding to the story, character depth and humor than detracting. The script was first sold as a spec. in 2009, and has since gone through rounds of edits and re-edits and was finally mostly scrapped until coming into its final form. The written page is a large part of why this film works, so its safe to assume the five years since its first incarnation has been worthwhile.

The pace of the action is crisp and the second act is consistently fresh and exciting. The ending sequence was a letdown however, not only predictable, but unsatisfying in its payoff of the Man vs. Mimic war. I also wish we were given a bit more about Cage’s past, but he’s a sympathetic character nonetheless. His character arc is atypical for a genre film (a narcissistic dick to a humbled super star soldier and back again), and is effective. Emily Blunt takes her turn in the growing trend of strong, bold female leads that prioritize inner strength over outer beauty.

Many films, sci-fi or not, write the male protagonist as a macho type who earns the admiration and affection of a secondary female character. Edge of Tomorrow does no such thing, and for the better. Cage is an armchair reserve soldier who can’t even turn off the safety of a gun and Blunt’s Rita is a “Full Metal Bitch” who cares more about destroying the enemy than making friends. What could have been a cheesy and predictable film-before-the-marriage type of relationship instead culminates in a genuine and believable way. Cruise and Blunt do their jobs, but really these characters could have been played by anyone with action movie credentials. The same goes for the supporting cast, an uncharismatic bunch of army generals, raggedy soldiers and brilliant scientists.

It’s always satisfying when expectations for a film are met, or better yet, exceeded. The trailer, concept and star-factor stigmas suggest this film is destined for box office bucks but not much else (which we will see how that goes with The Fault in Our Stars taking the number one spot this past weekend). While it won’t be mentioned come Oscar time or end of year lists, Edge of Tomorrow is worth seeing. Today.