Gamers know that sometimes in a videogame you have the dreaded escort mission, where you have to restart the level anytime you or your escort are killed. Typically you get more and more emotionally detached from the death of your escort because it happens so insanely often that it becomes like breathing. Well, what if it were real life and each time your escort dies, it actually becomes harder and harder for you to accept. Yeah, sort of like in Source Code but more action, and with a bunch of humour which is great given all the death and destruction.
I want to dislike Tom Cruise as much as the next guy but he really does have the introspective action hero down. I believe his motivations and I think he's quite good in these roles. Emily Blunt I didn't know from Eve before this film but I think she was perfect in this soldier role as well.
If you don't like the idea of Groundhog Day or TNG's "Cause and Effect", then this will likely bother you as well, but let me say that it may be the best version of repeating events done yet. Its the least amount of deja vu I've felt in that each scene feels fresh and that is uniquely thanks to Tom Cruise bringing an authentic reaction on treating events like this. As an example, there is one time where Cruise wakes up with such melancholy that even the drill sergeant lets him be.
I think the only moment that gave me pause was wondering why future paratroopers would land on a beach with big heavy suits? Why not go more in-land?
I think this movie is just a ton of fun and I would like to see it again. Oh! I almost forgot. It has one of the better epilogues I've seen in a long time. Very satisfying and just the right length.
4.5 stars