As 2014 pulls to a close, one can say that Sci-Fi truly dominated the box office. With a lineup of juggernaut films to hit the theaters such as, “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” and “Godzilla” movie goers certainly received their fill of science fiction. Yet the true sci-fi underdog this year surprisingly wasn’t a super hero, heroic lizard or even well evolved apes, but director Doug Liman’s “Edge of Tomorrow.” A surprisingly cerebral film that touches upon humanities inner struggle within ourselves and our own technology.
Set in a time not too far from our own, “Edge of Tomorrow” gives viewers a glimpse of a war torn Europe, shattered by alien invaders simply labeled as “Mimics.” With humanity fighting a losing battle on all fronts, one gains the impending doom of a world on the brink.
There, our hero, Major William Cage, Tom Cruise, head of media relations for the army enters the screen. With a less than stellar performance in “Oblivion,” Tom Cruise surprisingly delivers a polished and fresh performance as an officer both separated from the war and the harsh reality of it. This sheltered hero is never less swept off his feet and thrust into combat, as a consequence for blackmailing a superior for reasons I will not reveal.
Cage’s once comforted life is now exchanged for one of military service as humanity prepares to invade and reclaim Europe–strongly reminiscent of D-Day and the invasion of Normandy. There you see Cage’s cockiness slowly fade away as he is soon thrust into the “Crucible of combat” as his drill sergeant fondly quotes. Consequently the invasion goes horribly wrong and Cage dies within minutes of landing.
There the audience is thrust into world reminiscing of “Groundhog Day” with a touch of aliens and mechanical suits as Cage wakes up immediately after death, starting the day over. From there the real film begins and Cruise’s character uses his newfound ability to win the war and find the true nature of himself as a soldier and a human being.
Cruise’s performance although does not quite outshine the whole cast, as Emily Blunt stars as Rita Vrataski a war hero that is mysteriously aware of Cage’s condition. Blunt’s performance is one of both tenacity and grit. Never shying away from the screen she delivers a well-rounded performance as not only a supreme soldier but a person who has lost a part of themselves to the struggle.
You can constantly see the expression in her eyes as Cage reveals to her that he is living repeated days, to her he is a glimpse out of the battered shell of herself. Her nihilistic view on the war fades away as he presents a way out.
Cruise’s underlying charm and Blunt’s perpetual grimness creates excellent chemistry, one could not help but see the dark humor as Blunt casually kills Cruise during training several times. Knowing well off that he will simply start over, regardless of his obvious discomfort.
Perhaps what truly brings the “Edge of Tomorrow” as a cinematic experience is not only the actors but the world they create around them. Constantly the grey undertone and filter of war-torn Europe clashes with the wilderness untouched by man. Cruise and Blunt at one point ditch their military equipment as they walk through the French countryside devoid of human interaction for years.
Walking without their equipment, you get a sense of nakedness as the two heroes receive a temporary break from war and symbolically break bread over coffee while taking shelter in a barn. These moments of silence and food serve as a reminder of the humanity within the soldiers not just fighting aliens, but of our time and before.
Photo Credit: HuTDoG83
