TOM Magazine was recently invited to view unfinished footage from two of the years most anticipated blockbusters – Godzilla and Edge of Tomorrow. The footage was a variation of extended trailers and entire scenes, and both ran approximately 20 minutes. Here’s our verdict on what to expect.
Godzilla
Starring: Bryan Cranston, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, Sally Hawkins, Juliette Binoche
Directed By: Gareth Edwards
Having already debuted a number of stunning trailers, Gareth Edwards’ (Monsters) vision for Godzilla illustrates not only a deeper plot than that of its campy 1998 predecessor but some absolutely breathtaking cinematography. Even more promising is the esteemed cast that saw a script substantial enough to sign their name to. Hollywood’s most unlikely leading man Bryan Cranston heads up the cast as Joe Brody, whom returns to a post-apocalyptic city searching for answers about the tragic ‘accident’ that tore apart his family 15 years prior. He’s accompanied by Aaron Taylor Johnson as Ford Brody – a young marine sent headlong into the carnage, and Elizabeth Olsen as his wife Elle Brody. Not much has been told about the younger Brody’s apart from Elle being a nurse, and the two having a young son, but it is alluded to that there may be tension in the marriage.
At large, this is of course a disaster film – rather hard not to be when you have a goliath reptile pulverising skyscrapers and swatting jets from the sky like flies, but it seems the filmmakers have chosen to use this well-travelled story as a foil to not only test humanities strength, but the bonds between the Brody family. It sounds odd to talk about Godzilla as a family drama but with such emotive actors in the leads, it’s hard not to think that the emphasis may shift – especially given Edward’s predecessor Monsters did exactly that.
Edge of Tomorrow
Starring: Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Lara Pulver, Jeremy Piven
Directed By: Doug Liman
Edge of Tomorrow is a film that has something for everyone. Action, sci-fi, romance, signature Cruise comedic timing…even those who can’t stand old Maverick will find solace in watching Emily Blunt shoot him point-blank in the head, at least five times in twenty minutes.
Based on the Japanese novel ‘All You Need Is Kill’, we follow Lt. Col. Bill Cage, a ‘PR’ guy drafted in the midst of an alien war, who seems to be stuck in a time loop not unlike that seen in Jake Gyllenhaal sci-fi Source Code. After a few hapless rounds of dying and resurrecting, he discovers fellow soldier Rita Vrataski has experienced the same phenomenon. Gradually, Vrataski moulds Cage from out-of-his-depth to competent soldier, as they strive to move through further stages of the war with each loop.
The preview left us salivating for more in every aspect. From the mammoth battle costumes, to the unusual CGI aliens, to the equally unusual chemistry between Cruise and Blunt (it’s nice to see the woman wear the pants, even nicer to know that Cruise is the damsel in distress). The opening scene where Cage is first thrown into the chaos is gut-churning and expertly shot to maximize the dread of dropping into the unknown. There’s even a slightly sadistic comedic element as Vrataski becomes increasingly desensitised towards Cage’s plight, resorting to simply shooting him when she feels too tired to continue and wants to start afresh in the next loop. With thrills, chills and charisma, Edge of Tomorrow is certainly one to watch in 2014.
– Danielle Muir
