Edge of Tomorrow: The Video Game Review

NO SPOILERS!!!

If there is a Scientology version of the devil, like an Alien Lucifer, then Tom Cruise has apparently struck a deal with it. How else would you explain his enormous wealth, tenured success, and lack of marital consistency?

I challenge you to tell me the last time a Tom Cruise movie flopped in the box office... You honestly can't (aside from Knight & Afternoon); this guy has had several hits in each decade.

Off the top of my typing thumb, you have Risky Business, Top Gun, and Rain Man in the 80s. In the 90s he brought you A Few Good Men, Mission Impossible, and Jerry Maguire. During the first decade of the Millennium, he brought you Minority Report, Collateral, and War of the Worlds. And in just four years, he brought you Ghost Protocol, Jack Reacher, and now The Edge of Tomorrow.

Edge of Tomorrow has basically beat all video game creators to the punch (with the help of All You Need is Kill by Hiroshi Sakurazaka), in creating an actual video game for a movie. Live. Die. Repeat. This motto is the basis of all role playing video games; what fun would a game be if you couldn't try and try again.

Remember this debacle...

Honestly, this game is reminiscent of Halo: the armor, the "bad guys", and the mission. On the other hand, it blends Halo and Call of Duty and Source Code (which is like a computer program) into a gamer's wet dream.

(Before I get mauled on a technicality, Source Code doesn't have the fire power, action-wise or addiction-wise, that Edge of Manana has; it was way more technical for me to want to see it again and again. Groundhog Day isn't a video game. And Gamer...please).

Oh and I forgot to mention that the movie has time travel aspects in it as well...

Guns? Exoskeleton armor suits? Explosions? Comic relief? Cute British chick? Aliens? One of the most bankable actors in Hollywood? Video game structure? Action sequences? AND A HINT OF TIME TRAVEL?!?! I'm sorry, but you had me at explosions.

On top of all of that, the movie was actually good. Tom Cruise does his best Tom Cruise impression: spastic behavior, high pitched voice, crescendo-ing lines, "boy who cried wolf" character analysis, smile-laugh-punchline delivery, etc. (obviously I'm a fan).

Emily Blunt, forever lovely and likable, does her best to keep up with Cruise; at times, she's over matched by Tom Cruise's star power and charisma and acting. She did a great job chop-wise, but Cruise is a seasoned vet, especially in a movie like this. However, she was a total bad ass...

This is how I like my coffee

Bill Paxton was perfect, as he was just the right amount of over-the-top for my fancying; he seemed to be having the most fun out of the whole cast. Paxton plays a Southerner Master Sergeant who is the Disney version of Gunnery Sergeant Hartman.

The directing meshed well with the story; the writing avoided giving away too much detail; the story was great; the acting was entertaining; and all of the other technical things were baseline and I'm glad, because it paradoxically would have been a distraction.

GOLDMAN SACHS RACKS GROUP

The only problem I had with the movie (aside from them hijacking Matt Damon's combat suit and combining it War Machine's armor suit) was that it didn't cash in on the funny moments. For instance, there were lines/points that were clearly inserted to generate laughs, and other lines that were comical due to Tom Cruise's reactions and facial expressions.

Some of these moments seemed like they weren't meant to be comical, because the background music and the tone of the situation were dramatic and serious. This incongruity bothered me, as it appeared that the director and/or editor did not correctly interpret the script at these moments.

The wavering nature of the lack of commitment to a genre (action-adventure-science-fiction-with-comic-relief or action-adventure-science-fiction-with-too-much-comic-relief, to the point where it borders on an action comedy) could cause a bit of uncertainty to an attentively critical viewer (basically, just me).

Moreover, once you actually sit down and figure out what's going on, you might obviously see where the movie is going, as it doesn't try to to trick you with any plot twists or gimmicks. (I wouldn't call it predictable, because unlike most predictable movies (rom-coms) this movie doesn't present itself in an avant-garde way (which is why the trailer is conspicuous to a certain degree)).

The details are laid out plainly in front of you, all you have to do is sit back and enjoy. By me saying this, the movie is set up for success; it was filmed efficiently and if Tom Cruise's character had obtained the cheat codes from Game Shark, then the movie could have possibly been anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes; after a certain key part that propels the movie forward.

Now that's not to say that the movie is ostentatiously pretentious; the movie hooks you (like a video game) on its cyclical nature and you'll find yourself rooting for Cruise to get past each checkpoint.

Most importantly, I was thoroughly entertained throughout the whole movie, and I was very intrigued with the universe and concept that was created.

Scenes from Minority Report 2

This movie is perfect for a guy's vacation/personal day or a female gamer or an "actual" strong women (as opposed the massive influx of virtually strong women (like its a style or something)).

Technically, since there is a "love interest" (normally, I wouldn't explicitly call it that, but for generalizability purposes I will) you could bring your significant other.

But honestly, it would be easier to find Waldo in the Andromeda Galaxy than to find it in this movie. The romance is so diminished in this movie that if you don't stare hard enough, you might miss it (seriously and fortunately).

I mean, there is romance, but the kiss came and Quicksilver'd away like a fleeting thought. I enjoyed this because they could have easily turned this around and made it supremely romantic, but like Cold Mountain (boggles my brain why this movie isn't on "the list" with Titanic and The Notebook smh) the romantic connection was understood and placed on the shelf for more important plot motives.

To focus on Natalie Portman of course...

All in all, Tom Cruise has added another hit to his list, as this is a complete package of a movie: action, adventure, suspense, thrills, comedy, romance, Scientology propaganda, and a 134,043,071+n-viewed-on-YouTube hit song by John Newman playing during the closing credits. From top to bottom, this movie was done well.

The production companies and the Church of Scientology obviously wanted to put out a good game with a solid story, while introducing ideas about tapping into the destined nature of one's self.

Moreover, according to the summer blockbuster criteria, it passes indubitably. Oh, and of course they are trying to make it rain (160 million in the first week against a 175 million dollar budget, not bad).

I have a subtle "C'MON MAN!!!" issue with the ending (spinning tops); however, this is definitely a game that I want to play again. COMMERCIAL BREAK!!!

**(If this movie hits a billion bucks in the box-office, which it won't, then I could see it being featured at Universal Studios as an interactive ride)**

Go see How to Slay your Dragon 2, out in theaters 6/13/2014

The Edge of Tomorrow brought to you by Electronic Arts was a legit game and definitely gets an Easy A because the story was unique; the directing complemented the story well; the writing within the story flowed effortlessly without being cliche and systematically explanatory (for a movie like this); the actors/actresses seemed to have fun making this movie, which always makes for a good movie in my opinion; and most importantly because Tom Cruise's is...MY JAM!!!!!

When the mission was impossible Tom Cruise's made it possible. He was a one man army in a War between Worlds. Do you remember Adolf Hitler? Cruise sent him straight to suicide hell. Basically, there were a lot of men, but only a few of them were good...Tom Cruise's is one of them.

Quit Cramping My Style, AMIRITE?!

The world watched Game 1 of the 2014 NBA Finals last night between the defending champs, the Miami Heat and the contenders from last year, the San Antonio Spurs. So many stories revolved around this match-up from the moment the Thunder were beaten in Game 6 in Oklahoma and the Spurs locked in their 5th Western Conference Championship in 15 years.

I've gotten tired of hearing words and phrases like dynasty, all-time greats, best (insert NBA position here), future hall-of-fame player etc. in the past week. Sure the media needs to create a buzz around the NBA finals to get viewers and clicks on their site. I mean that's what I'm doing here too but was there ever a doubt who was going to be in the finals this year? We all knew Miami was coming out of the East unscathed. The Oklahoma City story-line was a joy to follow and they planted seeds of doubt in everyone's minds about who would take the Wild West but come on, we knew it was going to be Heat v. Spurs - Part Dos right?... Cool.

Shots were fired here and there. Little jabs thrown. Words misunderstood. Whatever. I'm not here for controversy. I just want to watch some damn good basketball. And Game 1 was great. Good shooting, great ball movement, defense and a great subplot starring the AT&T Center's A/C repair guy.

Lebron James has forced me to change my stance on the Miami Heat from 2011 and himself as a player. I admire his growth and the effort he's put into improving his game. Chris Bosh is a future Hall-of-Fame player (cringe) anyone would love to have as a teammate, always giving a 100% despite what the casual basketball fan on Twitter will tell you.

And as much as I hate Dwyane Wade (dude can't even spell his name right), when his career is over, he'll be considered the 3rd best Shooting Guard of all time behind the GOAT and Bean. Head Coach Erik Spoelstra, has elevated himself from being known as "Pat Riley's figurehead" to a Future Hall of Fame coach with a great future ahead of him.

Then we have the San Antonio Spurs. 24 out of 25 playoff appearances since the 1989-90 season. 14-straight 50-win seasons. Another NBA Finals appearance even after many thought they were done last year. 4 Hall of Fame candidates. Tim Duncan, the greatest Power Forward of all time, Obi-Wan Ginobili and the best player on the team, Tony Parker. And of course, the "lovable" Coach Gregg Popovich. 'Nuff said. As "boring" and effective as they come, the Spurs quietly sweep the Western Conference under their rug like some irritating dust bunnies. 

Both teams came into the season focused and ready to compete for this chance again. Albeit, there were doubts about the age of the Spurs players and whether they could do it again but Tim Duncan and the gang came in motivated. The Heat players are going for a 3-peat. Trying to join the likes of Kobe and Shaq's Lakers and Michael Jordan's Bulls. I'm not even going to put The Great Bill Russell's Celtics in that conversation cause they won 8 in a row and I'm a tad biased so tough cookies.

My point is there's a lot on the line in this championship. The winners will have their legacies (raised to even higher standings). The losers (even though they will still both be amazing teams) will have to ride the plane back home and deal with contract negotiations and team restructuring in the off-season. It seems like there's only one player whose legacy may be tarnished by a loss in the next two weeks. Oh hi Lebron.

A loss in this NBA finals will keep ESPN and basketball bloggers excited till October. The fans that hate him will be happy because he'll be further away from their favorites (Kobe or Michael). First Take on ESPN2 will beat the story into the ground in order to get more viewers. I don't know man. I never thought I'd see the day when I'd defend Lebron James, but damn.

It's honestly painful to watch, when you see people who are just WAITING to attack the guy after the Heat lose a game. It might be the age of social media, where we are more in tune with the thoughts of the millions of people around the world. I'm not sure. There just seems to be this piggyback effect that causes the casual NBA fan, plus people that don't even watch games to attack a player when they lose a game.

Now if Lebron had put up another 8 point performance like he did in 2011, then I'd say the slander was deserved. However, a cramp in one's leg...? It kinda sucks to see a player that loves the game get slandered for cramping up while playing a game in a 90+ degree arena. It just shows how ridiculous the nature of things have become. 

It was hot at the game. That was all we heard as viewers for three-and-a-half quarters of the game. Jeff Van Gundy was sweating balls, and bald heads. NBA reporters tweeted about having to change their shirts. Tim Duncan was soaking. The A/C repair guy couldn't get it done. It was reported that it was 90 degrees on the court.

We knew something was up when Lebron asked to be taken out of the game in the 2nd half. The guy is a machine. As durable as they come. A damn freak of nature, and I mean that in the nicest way possible. He cramped up in the 4th quarter and the Spurs, like the great team that they are, were able to exploit that sign of weakness and exploded on a 31-9 run to end the game.

Tim led the way for the Spurs with 21 points, 10 rebounds off a 90% shooting exhibition (this guy is 38 years old. Ridiculous). 

Manu and Tony Parker had fine games with 16 points, 11 assists and 19 points, 8 assists respectively. Role players in the form of Sugar K Leonard, Patty Mills and Boris Diaw aka The Lebron Stopper were great in helping execute the game plan and move the ball around. I know this came from the series against the Thunder but what do you do on defense against a team that moves the ball like this???

The game was pretty close up until the cramps took place which left Lebron on the sideline for the rest of the game, which actually caused Pat Riley to show some emotion (that's when I really knew something serious was going on). James finished with 25-6-3, which are nnnooottt quite his numbers. Unfortunate. Wade started off effective, but his shooting fell off as the game went on. Maybe the Heat got to him (yeah, I had to throw at least one in here). Bosh was my favorite player from the Heat in this sauna with 18 and 9, and he was the only player on the team that didn't complain about the heat in the arena. 

Just play ball and stay hydrated. I'm ready for Game 2. Blood will be spilled in this series if Game 1 was an indicator of anything. Stay hydrated kids. Ice up.

P.S. Romo Curse? Perhaps. Only kidding.