PG-13, 1 hour 53 minutes
Grade: A-
In a Nutshell: This is Groundhog Day
on steroids! (I love that Bill Murray classic.) Add the uber-intense Tom Cruise and the beautiful Emily Blunt, along with flawed, but heroic soldiers and you’ve got an action movie sure to thrill. Video gamers will almost feel like they’re inside a Halo: Combat Evolved
, complete with resets after dying and kicking alien butt.
on steroids! (I love that Bill Murray classic.) Add the uber-intense Tom Cruise and the beautiful Emily Blunt, along with flawed, but heroic soldiers and you’ve got an action movie sure to thrill. Video gamers will almost feel like they’re inside a Halo: Combat Evolved, complete with resets after dying and kicking alien butt.Uplifting theme:
- Humanity is worth fighting for.
- Every moment of life is precious.
Things I liked:
- I thought it was appropriate for the film’s opening weekend to be during the 70th anniversary of D-Day. Replace Nazis with aliens and you’ll still feel patriotic.
- It’s kind of amazing to see a movie which actually ends, rather than one that Hollywood tosses out there, hoping to pump out a mediocre sequel for you to spend your hard-earned money on.
- The super fast, squiggly aliens were cool, especially the “Alpha” when he growls.
- I saw it in IMAX 3D, which made some of the action sequences epic. When someone got tasered, I was almost worried I’d get hit too.
- I loved the fat soldier’s t-shirt that said “Mimic this.” It’s funny as is, but has another meaning when you learn that they call the aliens “mimics.”
- I loved the high-tech mech-suits the soldiers wear.
- Emily Blunt was really cute in The Devil Wears Prada
, but now she is even sexier as a strong, fighting machine. Her body-double does some amazing stunts, including a ridiculously awesome push-up pose with her feet lifted off the ground (is that even possible?), but she’s believable as a determined and tough soldier.
Things I didn’t like:
- It shows a movie clip of Hillary Clinton in some kind of executive meeting, as if she is president of the United States. Was that a subtle bit of hopeful propaganda for the next presidential election?
- There was a plot hole in the ending…as if the rest of the movie was believable. haha
Inspiring lines:
- “The fiery crucible, the only place where true heroes are forged.” – Master Sergeant Farrel
- “There’s no courage without fear.” – Master Sergeant Farrel
- “We fight. That’s what we do.” – Major William Cage
Funny lines:
- “What do we do now? – Rita Vrataski
“I don’t know. We’ve never gotten this far.” – Major William Cage
- “Where is the safety?” – Major William Cage
“Exactly!” – mocking soldiers
- “What day is it?” – Major William Cage
“For you? Judgment Day.” – soldier
Tips for parents: Be prepared for lots and lots of violence. There is one F-bomb, but only a few other“mild” forms of profanity, which is impressive since it’s such a testosterone-filled fighting flick. There is a creepy shot of a burning/melting face, as well as one of a fat guy’s bum….both are a bit disturbing.
If you love the whole time-loop concept like I do, check out the following movies:
Kids who like time travel will get a kick out of Mr. Peabody and Sherman.
Sheila Staley
Thanks so much for your honest review. I wondered how this movie would turn out. It sounds like one I'll be seeing in the theaters.
trinaboice
Thanks for your kind words! Did you like the movie “Groundhog Day” with Bill Murray? It’s that time loop that really fascinates me. This is a much more serious, action-filled time loop movie than “Groundhog Day.” I hope you like it! Let me know what you thought once you finally watch it!