Live Die Repeat: Edge of Tomorrow

I went to see this film in IMAX because others were saying good things about it. I felt it was worth seeing it in IMAX and my second viewing at home was enjoyable so that tells me that "Edge of Tomorrow" has lasting value. The action sequences are typical of director Doug Liman. The film is funny like "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" but has the opposite scenario of "The Bourne Identity" because in this movie, the protagonist knows more than any of the characters.

The story takes some time to get good but the second half of the movie makes up for that. The special effects used for the Mimics were reminiscent of the CGI on "Jumper". This is one of those time loop movies like "Groundhog Day" but "Edge of Tomorrow" instead brings to mind a video game where the hero is starts back at the beginning of the level. There is also a D-day-type scenario in the story because the invasion takes place on a beach in Northwestern France. While the story was good, I felt that the pace of some scenes was too fast and drama was lost as a result. We did not have enough time to become emotionally invested in the scene. I did like the scene where Cage and Rita are on a quiet farm in Europe because the perspective of the scene is suddenly changed on the audience. Since the start of the film, we have been watching the story through Cage's eyes and this change in perspective brings about a plot point very well. Some subsequent scenes were fun such as sneaking into General Brigham's office and recruiting J Squad to go to Paris. After the climax, I came to the realization that either the aliens were pretty stupid or overconfident. Their "brain" was being guarded by only one Alpha and if I were they, I would have had two Alpha's on guard or at least more mimics down below. That way, if the Omega was threatened, an Alpha could be killed so as to reset and ultimately prevent the threat. Still, I was very satisfied by the resolving and happy ending we were given. There was good chemistry between Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt. I also liked seeing Bill Paxton and Brendan Gleeson in this show (this was the last movie I saw starring Paxton's before his death).

It looks like the story was given decent attention because the third act was re-written numerous times by many screenwriters. This movie was good enough that I didn't even think about 2011's "Source Code" for comparison, another time loop movie. "Edge of Tomorrow" had genuine humor, intense scenes and an entertaining narrative structure. The biggest problem I used to have with the movie is that I couldn't tell how good it would be the second time around. After seeing it twice, it holds up nicely.

3.5 Stars out of 5