With the success of a film of a movie like Groundhog Day, which brought a brand new method of storytelling into cinema, it was only a matter of time before other films (or forms of media for that matter) began utilizing what made its story so unique and interesting in the first place: the time loop. This form of storytelling takes what we know about traditional storytelling and time travel for that matter and creates something worth re-watching again and again -- literally. Entertaining as the idea was to begin with, it's no wonder many tried to follow the success of Groundhog Day through reiterating the same idea in their own unique ways. Although I've never read the Japanese novel, All You Need Is Kill, it is apparent that it was successful enough to generate a film adaptation in the form of Edge of Tomorrow, both of them making use of the time loop formula, but with a twist: aliens. Despite its premise sounding like a potential Groundhog Day ripoff with aliens tacked onto it, I'd have to agree that, in more ways than one, it managed to succeed on its own in more ways than one.
*Not too many spoilers in this one, but still proceed with caution if you haven't seen it yet*
This story follows American officer, William Cage (played by Tom Cruise), as he is stripped of his rank of Major and reverts to a Private under the cover story that he's been deserted. In reality, he threatened to blame his general for if the invasion to stop the onslaught of aliens called "Mimics" turned out to be a failure. After joining the "J squad" and being forced to partake in the invasion, Cage is killed in action, but not before making contact with the blood of one of the more peculiar aliens -- known as "Alphas". Soon after, he wakes up reliving the same day multiple times over and learns many methods to change the outcome albeit unsuccessfully. Eventually making contact with the renowned Sergeant Rita Vrataski (played by Emily Blunt) who has previously experienced the same phenomenon "before Verdun", Cage learns that the aliens are all connected to the source known as the "Omega", whose blood inadvertently allows Cage to share their ability to reset the day whenever he dies. Through learning and relearning the same methods multiple times, Cage and Vrataski must work together to somehow successfully end the Mimics invasion of Europe for good even if he has to live, die, and repeat time and again.
For starters the film doesn't fully rely on tired tropes to tell its story. Where there could have easily been no solid explanation for the time loop happening (like in Groundhog Day), they tell us full on that it happens because the Mimics possess said ability and, through the first Alpha dying, unintentionally share that ability with Cage. Self-explanatory as that may be, their take on the time loop becomes even more refreshing when, by the last act of the movie, Cage has this ability removed after a blood transfusion -- this is foreshadowed when Vrataski explains that this same exact thing happened to her. Upsetting as it may sound, in the long run, the removing of the "reset button" allows for the endgame to feel all the more exciting and tense (the battles building up to such feeling a lot more playful than most war films). Plus, whereas most alien invasion movies/blockbusters focus around America (i.e.: Independence Day, Battle: Los Angeles, etc.), this one takes place in Europe, making barely even a mention as to what's going on in America during the events of the film. It's almost as if the writers decided to pull a page from the history books with Hitler's takeover of Europe and apply it to the alien attackers in this movie. Then again, the writers/producers decided they wanted to keep things as close to the source material as possible -- which I trust they did a good job at. In turn, this makes it not only a fresh take on the time loop premise, but also a more excellent book to film adaptation than... well, most book to film adaptations.
Not only is the film well-written, but surprisingly well-acted as well. Despite the belief that he would become a running joke of an action star (à la Arnold Schwarzenegger), Tom Cruise actually manages to hold up this film quite well. Although I still see him as Tom Cruise more than whichever character he plays onscreen, his actions and reactions to the time loop are quite relatable; much like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day, he starts off confused before learning what's really going on and, although he tries to succeed, he eventually gives up trying to do it right before ultimately pulling through. While it's not a direct copy-paste of Groundhog Day, it certainly feels similar in a way that's advantageous for Cruise to show off his surprise believability. In addition, his chemistry with Emily Blunt's character might be the most interesting part of the movie; their dynamic is interesting in the sense that he knows her through his memories of reliving the same day time and again, yet every time she meets him she, once again, doesn't know him, but, in a way, she kind of does based on her previous experience. Confusing as it sounds, it's a lot of what makes the movie for me. Plus even the supporting cast is entertaining and they play off each other well regardless of if they were as prominent as the main actors.
And what cool sci fi movie isn't without its nifty special effects? The mech battle suits that the soldiers wear into battle operate in a way that shows it really takes some getting used to (as demonstrated by Cruise's character unable to control it at first, but then becoming more capable the more he warps back in time). While you have your standard explosions, copters flying about, and human-operated battle suits all throughout the action scenes, the most interesting part is the design of the Mimics themselves. I must say that, in the countless alien invasion-related movies and games I've seen to date, the Mimics are without a doubt some of the coolest alien designs I've ever seen. Unlike most extraterrestrial designs, which draw inspiration from earthly organisms, the Mimics clearly have this other-worldly flare to them that makes them stand out; their grossly flaring black tentacles that react to everything around them (bullets, explosions, etc.) and can ensnare humans whole allows the audience to see them a believably terrifying alien race capable of turning the tides in battle. That and they have distinct and memorable faces that stick in your brain better than any of the Chitari aliens from The Avengers. Though the Mimics may not be the one thing everybody remembers about this movie, they're one of the many reasons the movie is still one of the most memorable summer blockbusters in recent memory for me.
All things considered, I will admit that, going into this movie, I didn't expect or even know that much about it. Ultimately, my low to non-existent expectations were completely toppled when I saw its similarities to Groundhog Day as well as how mind-blowingly well-written the premise and story mechanics were handled, how proficient the actors did onscreen, and how excellently-crafted the special effects were made. Did I mention how deep the movie is to have several theories written about the conclusion yet? Talking about it from a certain viewpoint is something I don't like to do very often, but I will say that the many theories I've heard around the net save me from complaining too hard about the ending turning out to be a stereotypical "Hollywood ending" that I heard largely deviates from the source material. Still, I'm not one to complain about hardly anything and don't mind the way it turned out since it was so well-made to begin with. That said, I will have to give this movie an A- and believe it to be a noteworthy success in sci fi actions films of the last five years -- so much that it's getting a sequel, which makes me interested to see where they could potentially bring it in the future.
Thanks y’all for reading and, as always, I will see you in the next review!
Saturday, October 28, 2017
Thursday, October 5, 2017
Jasonic Reviews Groundhog Day
One of the most fascinating kinds of films is one that not only revolutionizes a whole genre, but also completely cements and popularizes an entire concept. Very rarely do films nowadays ever leave such an impression on the industry as a whole, but, as of 1993, I'd say a film like Groundhog Day is absolutely no exception. A very recent example, indeed, specifically popularizing the use of time loop in fiction to a point where many modern film and TV works have adopted the same formula -- whether it be for a little tidbit or the entirety of a plot. Apart from its general significance, though, just what is it about Groundhog Day that makes it so great even to this day? As always, let's critically examine the aspects of the movie to determine precisely what makes it such a spectacle!
*Not sure about a spoiler tag since, as of now, it's a rather familiar plot*
The film is a seamless blend of romantic comedy and fantasy about egotistical TV weatherman, Phil Connors (played by Bill Murray) as he reluctantly covers the annual Groundhog Day festival on February 2nd in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. He begins by giving a halfhearted report with assistance from his colleague, Rita Hanson (played by Andie MacDowell), and camera man, Larry (Chris Elliot) after which the groundhog sees his shadow. They become stranded in Punxsutawney when the blizzard Phil predicted would miss them ends up hitting them right where they are. Ever so unusually, Phil wakes up the next morning and finds himself reliving Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney many times to a point where he believes he's going insane. Eventually, he chooses to indulge in a hedonistic lifestyle before trying to impress Rita with every chance he gets, every time pretty much ending up in failure. When nothing seems to be working, he attempts suicide several times yet that never breaks the loop. Over time, Phil begins to consciously re-examine his life and priorities and finds just what he's looking for, which ultimately breaks the loop.
Predictable as it sounds, the ways in which Groundhog Day combines genres is what makes it unique in the sense that it depicts various phases of life and teaches great life lessons without being too over-dramatic about it. As I said before, the movie basically takes the seemingly opposite genres of romantic comedy and fantasy, sticks them in a blender, and yet it still comes out looking great. It's funny when it needs to be without being overly slapstick and when things get serious it really makes you feel and think about what's going on (as it relates to you and the characters and yourself). The initial few loops start off with Phil, unaware of what's going on around him, educating himself in a manner that's similar to a child in early education before rebelling in ways akin to a teenager. This segment of the film is lighthearted to where anyone watching can easily enjoy the comedic bits more so when they get older. As the film progresses and becomes more serious, it's easy to feel what Phil is going through as many of us have tried to get through life with a certain ambition in mind only to have it blow up in our faces as with his many attempts to impress Rita. Surely we all have reached a point where we've felt like giving up as Phil attempted to many times throughout the middle. Ultimately, Phil chooses to continue living, no longer for himself, but for others throughout the town, effectively showcasing the idea that we get to choose how we want to live -- for ourselves or for others.
On top of the profound moral lesson is perhaps some of the best acting I've seen in a romantic comedy-styled film. Having only previously seen him in a purely lighthearted action comedy like Ghostbusters, I was genuinely surprised to see mainly Bill Murray had the capability to portray himself a number of different ways. His going from comedically self-centered, clueless, carefree, and ambitious at the start of the film to depressive and downcast at the midway point was a seamless transition I had no idea he could pull off. Without a doubt, he was the selling point of the movie and I have no idea if anybody would remember he starred in it were it not for his spectacular performance. The other actors, while not nearly as notable the main star, have neat interplay with Murray's character throughout and are given interesting things to do every time they appear (i.e.: Stephen Tobolowky's Ned Ryerson and his insurance offers as well as his signature "Bing!"). Even if I can't say much else about the supporting cast members, it's still the best onscreen performance of Bill Murray's I've ever seen.
What pushes the film into speculative territory is just how open to interpretation everything is in relation to the time loop. For example, what's causing the time loop? How long does he actually spend there (days, weeks, months, or years maybe)? And what exactly happened that allowed Phil to finally escape it? We don't know for sure; based on my interpretation, though, I believe that somehow time is acting against Phil in order to make him fix up his life before it's too late. Him being arrogant and self-centered as he is in the beginning could have been the wake up call to start living for others that he had to figure out with time before he could move on. As for how long he spent trapped in the loop, I didn't keep track of nor interpret how long for myself, although many have assumed anywhere from 10 to 10,000 years before he could finally move onto February 3rd. Finally, what helped break the loop was his drive to finally start living selflessly, which got him the girl in the end as he no longer was stuck being the same old person doing the same old thing. Of course, this is just my opinion and it's not very deep, but I am welcome to hear anybody else state what kind of story they think it's trying to tell!
As of now on this blog, I hardly ever review movies that can barely have anything negative said of it and this is for surely one of them! Between popularizing the time loop plot device, the complex plot and ideas surrounding the narrative, Bill Murray's stellar performance, and the rules for how things worked being left open to interpretation, Groundhog Day is as notable as it is well-written and is unlikely to fade into the background of film history any time soon. Were it not for its main factors and more, I don't know how else it could have influenced Hollywood and fiction in general -- I mean we could've had a movie about an immortal character watching the world change around them, but that's another story. That said, I score the movie with a solid A and consider it a must see for anyone reading and beyond!
Thanks y’all for reading and, as always, I will see you in the next review!
*Not sure about a spoiler tag since, as of now, it's a rather familiar plot*
The film is a seamless blend of romantic comedy and fantasy about egotistical TV weatherman, Phil Connors (played by Bill Murray) as he reluctantly covers the annual Groundhog Day festival on February 2nd in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. He begins by giving a halfhearted report with assistance from his colleague, Rita Hanson (played by Andie MacDowell), and camera man, Larry (Chris Elliot) after which the groundhog sees his shadow. They become stranded in Punxsutawney when the blizzard Phil predicted would miss them ends up hitting them right where they are. Ever so unusually, Phil wakes up the next morning and finds himself reliving Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney many times to a point where he believes he's going insane. Eventually, he chooses to indulge in a hedonistic lifestyle before trying to impress Rita with every chance he gets, every time pretty much ending up in failure. When nothing seems to be working, he attempts suicide several times yet that never breaks the loop. Over time, Phil begins to consciously re-examine his life and priorities and finds just what he's looking for, which ultimately breaks the loop.
Predictable as it sounds, the ways in which Groundhog Day combines genres is what makes it unique in the sense that it depicts various phases of life and teaches great life lessons without being too over-dramatic about it. As I said before, the movie basically takes the seemingly opposite genres of romantic comedy and fantasy, sticks them in a blender, and yet it still comes out looking great. It's funny when it needs to be without being overly slapstick and when things get serious it really makes you feel and think about what's going on (as it relates to you and the characters and yourself). The initial few loops start off with Phil, unaware of what's going on around him, educating himself in a manner that's similar to a child in early education before rebelling in ways akin to a teenager. This segment of the film is lighthearted to where anyone watching can easily enjoy the comedic bits more so when they get older. As the film progresses and becomes more serious, it's easy to feel what Phil is going through as many of us have tried to get through life with a certain ambition in mind only to have it blow up in our faces as with his many attempts to impress Rita. Surely we all have reached a point where we've felt like giving up as Phil attempted to many times throughout the middle. Ultimately, Phil chooses to continue living, no longer for himself, but for others throughout the town, effectively showcasing the idea that we get to choose how we want to live -- for ourselves or for others.
On top of the profound moral lesson is perhaps some of the best acting I've seen in a romantic comedy-styled film. Having only previously seen him in a purely lighthearted action comedy like Ghostbusters, I was genuinely surprised to see mainly Bill Murray had the capability to portray himself a number of different ways. His going from comedically self-centered, clueless, carefree, and ambitious at the start of the film to depressive and downcast at the midway point was a seamless transition I had no idea he could pull off. Without a doubt, he was the selling point of the movie and I have no idea if anybody would remember he starred in it were it not for his spectacular performance. The other actors, while not nearly as notable the main star, have neat interplay with Murray's character throughout and are given interesting things to do every time they appear (i.e.: Stephen Tobolowky's Ned Ryerson and his insurance offers as well as his signature "Bing!"). Even if I can't say much else about the supporting cast members, it's still the best onscreen performance of Bill Murray's I've ever seen.
What pushes the film into speculative territory is just how open to interpretation everything is in relation to the time loop. For example, what's causing the time loop? How long does he actually spend there (days, weeks, months, or years maybe)? And what exactly happened that allowed Phil to finally escape it? We don't know for sure; based on my interpretation, though, I believe that somehow time is acting against Phil in order to make him fix up his life before it's too late. Him being arrogant and self-centered as he is in the beginning could have been the wake up call to start living for others that he had to figure out with time before he could move on. As for how long he spent trapped in the loop, I didn't keep track of nor interpret how long for myself, although many have assumed anywhere from 10 to 10,000 years before he could finally move onto February 3rd. Finally, what helped break the loop was his drive to finally start living selflessly, which got him the girl in the end as he no longer was stuck being the same old person doing the same old thing. Of course, this is just my opinion and it's not very deep, but I am welcome to hear anybody else state what kind of story they think it's trying to tell!
As of now on this blog, I hardly ever review movies that can barely have anything negative said of it and this is for surely one of them! Between popularizing the time loop plot device, the complex plot and ideas surrounding the narrative, Bill Murray's stellar performance, and the rules for how things worked being left open to interpretation, Groundhog Day is as notable as it is well-written and is unlikely to fade into the background of film history any time soon. Were it not for its main factors and more, I don't know how else it could have influenced Hollywood and fiction in general -- I mean we could've had a movie about an immortal character watching the world change around them, but that's another story. That said, I score the movie with a solid A and consider it a must see for anyone reading and beyond!
Thanks y’all for reading and, as always, I will see you in the next review!
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