KANSAS CITY, Mo — Edge of Tomorrow is a sci-fi, time travel movie that movie critics Russ Simmons and Shawn Edwards both found entertaining.
Just go to enjoy, though, don’t think too hard about it.
As Russ puts it,… “Because if you think too hard, it will fall apart.”
And as for the other movie they reviewed, The Fault in our Stars, don’t forget to grab some napkins from the concession stand.
Not for your buttery fingers… for your tears.
Watch the video for the always-interesting comments about this weekend’s movies.
1) EDGE OF TOMORROW (PG-13)
Warner Brothers
RUSS
“Independence Day” meets “Groundhog Day” in the new Tom Cruise sci-fi thriller, “Edge of Tomorrow.” Believe it or not, the end result is a lot better than you might expect from that description.
SHAWN
That’s because if you are thinking “Ground Hog Day” you need to exterminate that idea and this movie is NO way like “Independence Day.” What? “Edge of Tomorrow” is actually the rare movie that has more original ideas than not. Tom Cruise stars in this intentionally trippy and sophisticated sc-fi thriller that relies on the trickiest of plot devices and succeeds at every level without tripping over itself or completely unraveling.
RUSS
Cruise is a soldier who mysteriously has to live one battle day over and over every time he’s killed in an alien invasion. Exciting, beautifully produced and action-packed, “Edge of Tomorrow” is a giddy roller coaster epic that works in spite of the logic-bending premise. If you think about it too hard, it all falls apart…just like most time-travel movies. So, put your brain on hold and go along for the merry ride and “Edge of Tomorrow” will keep you on the edge of your seat.
SHAWN
“Edge of Tomorrow” works because Tom Cruise delivers. Gotta give it to him — he’s good and very effective. Really on top of his game. And it’s very well executed with terrific action and fantastic battle scenes and Emily Blunt is exceptional. Overall “Edge of Tomorrow” is a remarkable movie going experience especially if you peep it in 3D.
RUSS: 4 Popcorn Bags
SHAWN: 4 Popcorn Bags
2) THE FAULT IN OUR STARS (PG-13)
20th Century Fox
RUSS
“The Fault in our Stars” is an unapologetically manipulative tearjerker about teenage cancer patients who fall in love. Based on John Green’s bestselling novel, it’s a soap opera that works much better than it should, thanks to terrific dialogue, honest wit, earnest execution and an appealing cast.
SHAWN
“Fault in Our Stars” may be totally predicatable and a totally calculated cry fest but it’s just so darn charming you can’t help but fall in love with it even if you aren’t a teenage girl.
RUSS
Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort play teens who meet in a cancer support group. She’s the cynical wallflower and he’s the optimistic, outgoing jock. Naturally, they click. While the plot devices are extremely contrived, the cast members bring authenticity to this heartbreaking tale. Along with popcorn and soda, the concession stands could make a killing by dispensing Kleenex.
SHAWN
Based on the hugely popular Y/A novel “The Fault in Our Stars” in unabashidly mushy but it also has traces of realness that help it over come its TV Movie of the Week tone at times. Yes, the cast is appealing and yes, you will be malipulated to cry but overall “The Fault in Our Stars” is the most romantic you’ll like see all year and completely heartfelt and inspiring.
RUSS: 4 Popcorn Bags
SHAWN: 3 Popcorn Bags
Also opening this week, “Ida” is an acclaimed Polish film about a young nun who, in 1960s Poland just before taking her vows, learns a dark secret about her family’s past during the Nazi occupation. “Ida” won the critics’ prize at this year’s Toronto Film Festival and also won Best Film honors at the recent London and Warsaw film festivals.
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