Edge of Tomorrow ★★★½

IN BETWEEN their Mission Impossible franchise, Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie tackled Japanese sci-fi in 2014.

The film was Edge of Tomorrow, also known as Live Die Repeat, with a story adapted from Japanese novel All You Need Is Kill by Hiroshi Sakurazaka.

The result isn’t rocket science or anything special, but it’s a straight-up, entertaining action film.

The film takes place in a future where Earth is locked in a battle with an invading alien race.

Our protagonist is Major William Cage (Cruise), a public relations officer with limited combat experience and no interest in gaining more.

Cage travels to England thinking he will be doing another fluff piece on army commanders but is ordered to join an actual landing operation against the aliens.

After trying everything possible to get out of the frightening situation, the cowardly Cage finds himself on a beach with the bullets flying and explosions everywhere.

Cage is killed but wakes to find himself stuck in a time loop in which he experiences the same day and his death many times over.

How this happened Cage realises after meeting with army hero Sergeant Rita Vrataski who is experiencing the same time loop.

The pair join up to stop the phenomena in a way that may also defeat the alien forces for good.

Cruise is good in a role a little against type, but Emily Blunt is even better as the hard-nosed marine who has become a ferocious warrior thanks to the countless deaths and learning experiences.

The effects are first rate, particularly during the impressive battle sequences.

The story gets a little too loopy and confusing in the last act but by that time you are well and truly along for the exciting ride.