By Renee’ Collins
Rating: 5 (Out of 5 Reels)
Some would say seeing yet another Tom Cruise testosterone fest movie was not the best choice but he is unwittingly gaining my respect more and more by his choices of late. An officer finds himself caught in a time loop in a war with an alien race. His skills increase as he faces the same brutal combat scenarios, and his union with a Special Forces warrior gets him closer and closer to defeating the enemy (IMBD).
Other than the seemingly endless and boring Mission Impossible series things are looking better and better for Cruise as he continues to hone his craft. Oblivion, one of his last films is a welcome addition to the aliens taking over the world genre. Cruise offers the right amount of toughness and brawn, given his is a short man, coupled with a tender aspect as well. His acting ability, wise choices of well written and visually made films is definitely continuing his film legacy. Let’s hope this trend continues.
Emily Blunt is a wonderful actor who has an enormous range of acting abilities which here are only broadened by her portrayal of a bad ass Special Forces warrior, respected by all, out to kill every alien in sight. It is hard at first seeing her in this role while remembering all of the wonderful period pieces and drama’s she has done (Looper, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, The Young Victoria) but she absolutely delivers a fantastic performance.
The visual aspects of this film are expertly accomplished by intricate computer generated aliens that are unique and vicious who overwhelm and dominate as the slaughter anything moving in sight. Praise must be heaped upon the writers of this film because of an expertly woven plotline that is easy to follow since there is time travel involved but it also provides just the right amount of humor along the way given the overall doom and gloom of the content.
This film is an exceedingly well made and acted film that should be added to the list of excellent science fiction aliens take of the world genre films and should be experienced on the big screen at an IMAX theater.