Tom Cruise’s Action Film Holds Up

Edge of Tomorrow may not go down in the annals of cinema as a game-changing sci-fi adventure, but that doesn’t make it any less significant — or fun. As directed by Doug Liman, the action-packed feature is mostly notable as the one that kills Tom Cruise over and over again, but there’s a lot more to this raucous actioner than meets the eye.

Blending elements of everything from Aliens to Groundhog Day, Edge of Tomorrow follows Major William Cage (Cruise), a cowardly public relations officer who suddenly finds himself thrust to the front lines of a major war between man and an invading extraterrestrial race. The story kicks off amidst Earth’s final push to reclaim the planet, but when Cage and the surrounding forces land on the beaches of France, they walk straight into a trap that could spell the end of mankind … except, after siphoning an alien’s time travel power, Cage dies and wakes up on the previous day — something that occurs every time he bites the dust. With his newfound power in tow, Cage must team up with Rita Vrataski (Emily Blunt) to figure out a way to prevent the slaughter in France and wipe out the alien baddies.

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Released in 2014, Edge of Tomorrow was a surprising dud at the box office, but earned praise from critics and seems to have registered with viewers on home video. Honestly, if you haven’t given this one a shot, I advise you to stop reading this article, head on down to your local Target/Wal-Mart/Best Buy (or flip on Google Play), and purchase this new and improved 4K copy today.

No, really. Edge of Tomorrow is one of the best action films released in the last decade or so. A whip-smart, action-packed adventure that balances comedy and drama better than any of the assortment of Marvel films we receive on a quarterly basis. There’s so much to enjoy here, from Cage’s coward-forced-to-turn-hero character arc to the splashy, hard-hitting action sequences, to Blunt’s believable tough gal persona, Edge of Tomorrow dazzles from start to finish, and coasts on the astonishing (even playful) chemistry of its two leads.

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The new 4K edition is definitely a must for fans. Edge of Tomorrow looks glorious — at least, right up until that dimly lit final battle, which struggles even in high definition. The sound is crisp, though purists may need to tone down their bass levels to achieve optimal quality as some of the battle sequences are quite rigorous on the ear. Those seeking extras may be disappointed. There is a lengthy documentary that chronicles Liman’s creative process, but much of the material are brief vignettes that feel more like advertisements than necessary viewing material. A handful of deleted scenes offer a few more character beats, but nothing worthwhile.

In short, purchase this new edition to enjoy the film in its purest form. Everything else is just icing on the cake.

SCORE: 9/10

As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 9 equates to “Excellent.” Entertainment that reaches this level is at the top of its type. The gold standard that every creator aims to reach.

Disclosure: Critic was sent a copy by the publisher for our Edge of Tomorrow 4K UHD review.