The sci-fi action film starring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt. Released June 5.
The premise of this film sounded like another average alien invasion movie, with the added element of ground hog day. I could not have been more wrong about the film. Tom Cruise played William Cage, who refused to fight on the front line and was demoted to Private and made to fight regardless. He is killed within minutes of landing, but he wakes up at the start of the previous day. Cruise plays this role superbly and takes the viewer on a journey. His character clearly grows and develops over the course of the film.
Emily Blunt as Rita (the female lead) was good to begin with, but showed no character development in her performance and never changed the tone of her delivery. Her part could have been so much more, but instead she came across as a weak, heartless and shallow character. The other major fault with Blunt’s casting is that there was absolutely no rapport with Tom Cruise. The finale of the film culminates in a kiss, but the viewer feels nothing, as there’s no spark between these characters.
The supporting cast is superb with Bill Paxton and Brendan Gleeson playing high-ranking soldiers brilliantly. This film also features Australian actor Kick Gurry as Griff, who also plays his military role with the right mix of brains and brutalism. Unlike most alien movies the screenwriters (Christopher McQuarrie, Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth) decided not to focus on the aliens or why they were invading. This is certainly a welcome change to the sometimes mundane and luck-luster alien invasion plots.
The ending of the film was ever so slightly disappointing, as the film ended with the possibility of a sequel. This end scene (that set up a possible sequel) certainly wasn’t needed and took away from the giant, nail-biting climax of the film.
The film’s score by Christophe Beck was exciting and innovative. This is Beck’s first science fiction film and while he chose not to pursue traditional sci-fi themes his score was effective and added to the tension of the film.
Though there are holes in the plot and Emily Blunt does not deliver a strong performance, it features great character development from Tom Cruise, strong direction from Doug Liman and is backed by a phenomenal supporting cast. Overall it’s a fun, exciting, action-packed film that differs from the norm!
3.5 Stars
Review by Benjamin Maio Mackay
Movie screening courtesy of Palace Nova Cinemas Adelaide