Director: Doug Liman
Starring: Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Bill Paxton, Noah Taylor
Four stars
Tom Cruise has made some lame movies recently, but this futuristic action thriller is his smartest choice in years. Based on a Japanese sci-fi novel, Edge of Tomorrow blasts along on a twist-heavy plot that nods to Saving Private Ryan, Aliens and Groundhog Day. Cruise plays nicely against type as William Cage, a clumsy and cowardly US army officer forced into combat when British-American forces launch a counter-attack against extraterrestrial invaders who have devastated mainland Europe. Cage is killed in action, only to wake up to the day before, reliving the spectacular battle again and again. After dying dozens of times, Cage and the warrior queen Rita Vrataski (Emily Blunt) finally figure out the aliens have the power to reset time. This brainy, action blockbuster is gritty, witty and visually dazzling.
