I like this script, direction, and editing. The film is nearly perfectly paced. It's crisp, snappy, and offers viewers the feeling of an amusement park ride while still flirting on the edge of a love story.

Big visual effects command the screen and take you on a powerful ride through an alien war field on Earth. Thankfully, the kills are more of the video game sort. In fact, if you see any blood at all, it usually means that somebody's only injured.

Exposition has been kept to a bare minimum. These filmmakers just want to pull you into the movie and let you figure your way through, much like Tom Cruise's character. Cruise, by the way, does a fine job anchoring the film. Emily blunt is also strong. Bill Paxton, however, is sadly miscast here. That said, the writers gave his character some wonderful lines. I just would have liked to see a better paired actor for them.

If you're willing to buy some less than smart "givens", then you'll enjoy the sharpness and humor that reigns over most of this film. I bought in and had a great time.

If you liked this film, see Groundhog Day.

Strong B+. Better casting for the General and Master Sergeant would have made this a strong A-.

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