Movie Review: Edge of Tomorrow

I have to admit, the initial premise of Edge of Tomorrow from its trailer didn't seem promising - add to the fact that Tom Cruise's films have been pretty much a hit or miss - but this was a surprisingly crafty, focused, and infuriatingly enjoyable jaunt. Yes, it clearly drew inspiration from many other movies - The Butterfly Effect, Starship Troopers, and The Terminator came to mind - and yet the film never felt like a rip-off. I thought the storyline was cleverly crafted, the direction was fantastic, the visual effects were incredible, and the editing and camera work were brilliant. The pacing was another strength and how it managed to combine compounding urgency with engaging character development was pretty impressive. Oh, and Tom Cruise played his role with the right mix of physicality and humor and he carried the plot forward extremely well. I would've liked a less predictable ending, but I digress. Edge of Tomorrow was possibly one of the best summer blockbusters this year, and straight up, one of Tom Cruise's best. 9