Script To Film - Jurassic Park

The screenplay for Jurassic Park can be found below:

http://www.imsdb.com/scripts/Jurassic-Park.html

It is a first draft, and is therefore substantially different from the finished film, bearing a greater resemblance to the source material. The changes made between the script and the finished film form the basis of this post.

Who Wrote It?

The film was written by Michael Crichton and David Koepp, and based on the novel by Michael Crichton.

Who Directed It?

Jurassic Park was directed by Steven Spielberg.

How Long Is It?

The film is 121 minutes long, including end credits.

What’s It About?

The eccentric tycoon John Hammond (Played by Richard Attenborough) invites a pair of scientists, Dr Alan Grant (Played by Sam Neil) and Dr Ellie Sattler (Played by Laura Dern), to visit and endorse his pet project: Jurassic Park. Based on a tropical island, it contains dinosaurs of all kinds, brought to life through advanced cloning technology.  Other guests on the trip include rebellious mathematician Ian Malcom (Played by Jeff Goldblum) and Hammond’s two grandchildren, Tim and Lex (played by Joseph Mazello and Ariana Richards). However, when an employee tries to steal the park’s advanced technology, he inadvertently releases the dinosaurs, who begin to run amok. As Hammond, Ellie and Malcom try to find a way to contain the creatures, Grant, Tim and Lex journey across the island to find the rest of the group.

5 Key Scenes – Jurassic Park

(The Following May Contain Spoilers)

Discussions With Hammond – In the film, most of the opposition to the idea of resurrecting dinosaurs is voiced by Ian Malcom in a speech during a dinner meeting. He notes that Hammond and his scientists were “so preoccupied with whether they could, that they didn’t stop to think about whether they should”. This sequence serves two purposes. Most importantly, it prepares us for the fact that the dinosaurs will go on the rampage. It also sets up the tension between Hammond and Malcom, indicating that the two will be forced to put their animosity aside when the dinosaurs attack.

On the other hand, the script omits Malcom completely, and cuts the dinner scene. Instead, the objections to Jurassic Park are primarily voiced by Ellie, who claims that dinosaurs cannot repress their hunter instincts, and Grant, who notes that commercialising science leads to “A disregard for method” that eventually leads to the failure of the island. However, because the screenplay is focused on action, there is less emphasis on the issues regarding the cloning of dinosaurs. As a result, the characters are less developed, as their views on the matter go a long way towards defining their personalities.

T-Rex Attack – The most iconic action sequence in Jurassic Park is the Tyrannosaurus Rex attack that occurs at the halfway point of the film. At the start of this scene, the T-Rex’s arrival is signalled by a vibrating glass of water. In the script, it is signalled in a more conventional manner, as “The whole car vibrates” to signal the arrival of the dinosaur. The vibrating glass of water is more effective, as it increases the suspense. As soon as the protagonists notice what is happening to this minor object, the slow-building sense of awareness is more terrifying then the sudden attack in the original script.

This leads to the first major chase in the movie, as the T-Rex attacks the car containing Tim and Lex. The script portrays the creature as toying with the cruiser “like a dog with its bone”. This description highlights its destructive nature, as the car, and the children inside, are treated by it as a plaything. The film stays true to this description, and depicts the dinosaur in close-up from Tim and Lex’s perspective. This makes the creature even more dangerous, because it causes large amounts of damage with little effort.

Grant And The Kids - Dr. Grant is the story's central protagonist, as he has the strongest character arc out of all the main characters. At the beginning, he is opposed to the idea of having children, but looking after Tim and Lex brings out the father in him. This is highlighted in a sequence where they have to climb over a perimeter fence before the power gets turned on. It appears in both the film and the script, and there are a number of similarities between the two depictions, most notably the fact that one of the children (Lex in the script, Tim in the film) is afraid of heights. However, the risk level in the screenplay turns out to be low – the power doesn’t return. The fact that the obstacle isn’t as severe as it is in the film reduces the pressure placed on Dr Grant, and therefore ensures that the episode has less of an impact on him and his relationship with Tim and Lex.

One notable scene in the movie depicts the three hiding in a tree for the night. They crack a number of jokes about dinosaurs, and Grant promises to watch for dinosaurs and protect the children. However, in the original script, the children fall asleep the instant they settle down in the tree- there are no heart-warming interactions between them and Grant. Overall, the idea of Grant being a father figure is far less prominent in the script then it is in the film.

The Final Battle – The climax of Jurassic Park depicts the protagonists taking on Velociraptors who are attacking the Island headquarters. This sequence is divided into two parts. During the first part, Tim and Lex are chased through the kitchen by two Velociraptors. In the script, they use steaks to trick the raptors into entering a walk-in freezer. In the film they also use trickery; Lex hides in an oven, and the dinosaurs mistakenly attack her reflection. However, the two children seem a bit calmer and more composed in the script. Their panic in the finished sequence increases the tension, as it emphasises the fact that they are a disadvantage and leaves the viewer wondering how they will be able to survive.

In the second part of the climax, Grant, Ellie and the children face the Velociraptors in the Visitor Centre, dangling from the giant Tyrannosaurus skeleton that is the main exhibit there. In the film, the Velociraptors are defeated by the timely arrival of a T-Rex. This represents a “payoff” following the Tyrannosaurs’ appearance in the middle of the film, because a monster that memorable should not be used for a single scene only. However, the live T-Rex does not appear in the screenplay. Instead, the raptors are defeated by Grant single-handedly, as he uses the skeleton to crush them. Whilst this cements Grant’s growth into a strong, brave hero, it seems like an easy way of defeating the implacable velociraptors. Therefore, the denouement of the film proves to be more memorable.

Hammond’s Behaviour – The screenplay retains the novel’s depiction of Hammond as an antagonist who is more concerned with making money from the theme park then he is with thinking through the risks and implications of his grand idea.  He responds to Dr. Grant’s criticism with a megalomaniacal rant in which he announces that he will persevere with his idea, and dismisses Grant as “one more negative voice in a universe of negativity”. However, the film makes him into a more likeable character. At the end, he decide to leave the island with the rest of the protagonists (albeit with a degree of reluctance) and responds to Dr Grant’s comment that he has decided not to endorse the park with a simple “So have I”. Character arcs are a convenient way to distinguish between protagonists and antagonists, and by realising that his dream cannot be maintained, the version of Hammond we see in the film is able to grow as a character and therefore remain sympathetic.

This difference in personality between is summed up with how the character is introduced in both versions. In the film, he is introduced turning up suddenly at Grant and Ellie’s dig.  His primary motive for turning up at the location incognito is for the sense of adventure. This establishes Hammond’s energetic personality, but also shows that he is overconfident, as he nonchalantly helps himself to champagne from the fridge. Conversely, in the script, he is not introduced until the protagonists arrive on the island. This makes him into a more mysterious figure with a greater sense of power, and establishes how dependant he is on his park. In the screenplay, Hammond’s fanatical obsession with making the park successful ensures that he will be blind to the flaws in his idea, making him unable to change and ensuring that he poses an obstacle to the protagonists.

Verdict

Jurassic Park improved substantially between the first draft and the finished film. Whilst the original script has a number of strong action sequences, the finished film contains more likeable and better-developed characters, and also provides a fuller focus on the issues arising from cloning. Furthermore, it benefits immeasurably from Steven Spielberg’s direction, as he wrings the maximum levels of tension out of the various action sequences, increasing the jeopardy levels through his focus on the small details, which are expressed through close-ups. He also manages to give the various dinosaurs, who are the story’s most spectacular and important aspect, plenty of memorable moments, which allow them to stand out as characters in their own right. As a result of the changes made to the screenplay, Jurassic Park is an example of a summer blockbuster that can be enjoyed for both the spectacle and the characters.

5 Screenwriting Lessons – The Lego Movie

Who Wrote it?

Phil Lord and Christopher Miller wrote the script, inspired by the Lego Toy Line. They also came up with the story with assistance from Dan and Kevin Hageman.

What’s It About?

The Lego Movie is set in Bricksburg, a town in the Lego Universe, where everyone and everything is made of Lego. Emmet Brickowski (Voiced by Chris Pratt) is an entirely ordinary Lego figure who takes great pride in being like everybody else. However, when he meets a mysterious Lego woman called WyldStyle, he ends up in possession of the “Piece of Resistance”. According to a mysterious prophecy made by the blind Vitruvius (Voiced by Morgan Freeman), this is the key to defeating the evil Lord Business (Voiced by Will Ferell), who plans to use a weapon called “the Kragle” to destroy the Lego Universe. Emmet is trained as a “Masterbuilder” and has to find and unleash his inner creativity in order to defeat Lord Business. In order to do this, he has to make his way across the Lego universe, meeting a variety of colourful characters ranging from Batman to a cyborg pirate.

How Long is It?

The Lego Movie is 100 minutes long, including credits.

5 Screenwriting Lessons – The Lego Movie

(The Following May Contain Spoilers)

Insecurities Make A Character Great – Insecurities and flaws are played for both comedy and drama in the Lego Movie. One character with a notable and amusing flaw is Princess UniKitty, the ruler of Cloud Cuckooland, which is full of sunshine and rainbows.  The character is as cute, perky and relentlessly upbeat as her name implies, but when she gets angry, she can become incredibly destructive. This trait is set up on her introduction, but it is not fully unleashed until the climax. This ensures that when Princess UniKitty finally snaps, it is not only funny, but it fits the character.

However, a number of flaws are played entirely seriously. WyldStyle has chosen her rebellious identity because she feels insecure and lacks self-esteem. This is foreshadowed in a simple but effective manner with her refusal to discuss her name. Conversely, Emmet is confident that everyone loves him, until President Business’ henchman Bad Cop shows him a video that proves how anonymous he is. In both cases, the flaws can be easily understood, and they make the characters more relatable.

Build Worlds – The reason why the Lego brand is so iconic is because it encourages users to build a wide variety of exciting and creative worlds. However, one of the most successful and longest-running Lego sets is Lego City, which depicts an ordinary modern town. In spite of its simplicity, it is appealing because of the fact that people can relate to it. The Lego movie capitalises on this, as Bricksburg retains the big buildings and crowded roads of our modern world, but introduce a number of fantastic elements that can only be seen in a fantasy universe. This juxtaposition of the banal and the unusual makes the Lego Universe unique and fits its emphasis on creativity.

Outside of Bricksburg, the movie places its emphasis on showing strange and unique locations. These include the Wild West, Cloud Cuckooland and the Underwater world. Depictions of the various lands showcase them in a simple manner that borders on stereotype. The Wild West is full of cowboys and horses. The Medieval World, Middle Zealand, is full of knights and dragons, but also contains most of the negative aspects of life in the Middle Ages. Because these lands are only featured briefly, the stereotypes do not become overused and the worlds remain interesting and enjoyable as a result.

The Mundane Can Inspire Anything – The most valuable power that a Lego character can have is the ability to be a “Masterbuilder”. This means that they have an encyclopaedic knowledge of every item in the Lego universe, and can transform every item they see into something different according to their need. This leads to a variety of quirky and creative ideas, such as Emmet using his head to replace a car’s axle, and Batman turning a police cruiser into a baby carriage. This incongruity makes the situations both unique and humorous.

The Lego Movie’s main messages, that you should be yourself and be creative, do not just apply to the unusual use of Lego Bricks. Ordinary objects that we take for granted are depicted as strange and threatening in the Lego World. The mysterious “Kragle” is actually a tube of Krazy Glue, and Lord Business also uses Chewing Gum and staplers as weapons. By taking something ordinary and making it part of this extraordinary universe, the writers aim to show that the only thing limiting the Lego Universe is the imagination of the people using the toys.

There Must Be Some Dramatic Depth – In spite of the fact that the characters are made of Lego, they are generally treated as real people with real insecurities. We can all relate to Emmet and Wyldstyle, and even in the cases of comedic characters such as Bad Cop and Princess UniKitty, their internal dilemmas are interesting and easy to understand. This emphasis on character ensures that when something bad happens, such as Cloud Cuckooland being destroyed and Vitruvius being killed, it has as much of an impact on the viewer as it does on the protagonists. This emotional investment ensures that the audience can root for a happy ending.

The Lego Movie’s main talking point is probably its third act, in which it is revealed that the events of the film so far have been the result of a child playing with his various Lego sets. The characters all reflect his flaws and beliefs, and his strict father is the inspiration for the character of Lord Business. The climax in the Lego world corresponds with the parent and son arguing over how the Lego should be used, and their eventual reconciliation leads to a happy ending.  In spite of the fact that they only appear in the third act, they are both realistic and convincing characters because the nature of their strained, but ultimately close, relationship is probably familiar to a large number of viewers.

Don’t Allow Jokes To Drag – Several of the funniest jokes in the Lego Movie are based on long lists. An example of these is a mention of the various areas of the Lego Universe which incorporates failed lines such as the Speed Racer range. This provides a clever and amusing Meta joke that will appeals to hardcore Lego fans whilst fitting the tone of the movie perfectly. Another case in which long lists provide the opportunity for humour is when Emmett lists Lord Business’ various interests, and soon realises that someone who owns history books and surveillance cameras is not a trustworthy ruler. Here, the use of a list allows for comedic escalation, as the examples given start out as mundane and prove to be serious. In both cases, listing generates an effective set-up which encourages the Off-the-wall humour embodied by the later examples.

However, some of the jokes last too long, and as a result, an idea that may have seemed amusing for a few seconds becomes tedious very quickly. A notable example of this is the opening, where Emmet narrates his every move from when he wakes up to when he heads for work. Whilst this exposition makes sense in the light of the Third-act reveal that the action is being narrated, it lasts a bit too long. A scene in which Emmettpauses for far too long on a single syllable when he sees WyldStyle’s face for the first time is also stretched until it stops being funny. The best jokes are often the most concise, so writers need to be careful to control how long a joke lasts.

Verdict

The Lego Movie is a good example of an enjoyable family animation. Its strongest feature is its creativity, which is apparent throughout and applied to both the Lego Universe itself, and the people and objects that it is composed of. The characters are memorable and well-developed, and it succeeds in being dramatic and moving without losing focus on its comedic nature. Whilst the jokes are hit-and-miss, there are enough funny ones for the film to succeed as a comedy. Overall, it’s a unique and entertaining movie with a worthwhile message that all screenwriters should take to heart.

5 Screenwriting Lessons – Guardians of the Galaxy

Who Wrote It?

Guardians of the Galaxy was written by James Gunn and Nicole Perlman, based on the Marvel comic book written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning.

How Long Is It?

Guardians of the Galaxy is 121 minutes long, including end credits.

What’s It About?

Guardians of the Galaxy is centred on Peter Quill (Played by Chris Pratt), a human who was abducted by aliens as a child. 26 years later, he is a Scavenger and thief known as “Starlord”. In one of his missions, he discovers a mysterious Orb, which he believes can lead him to a fortune. The orb contains the “Infinity Stone”, an extremely powerful weapon which can destroy entire planets, and is being sought after by Ronan the Accuser (played by Lee Pace), a fanatical member of the Kree race who wants to use it to destroy the people of the peaceful planet Xandar. Whilst attempting to sell the Infinity Stone in Xandar , Quill is caught and winds up in a giant space prison, where he meets four other prisoners: Rocky (Voiced by Bradley Cooper), a hot-tempered Racoon and bounty hunter, his sidekick Groot (Voiced by Vin Diesel), a giant humanoid tree, Gamora (Played by Zoe Saldana), the adopted daughter of Ronan’s boss Thanos, and Drax the Destroyer (Played by Dave Bautista), an alien who wants to avenge his family’s death at the hands of Ronan. The five are forced to form an uneasy alliance in a bid to thwart Ronan’s plans.

5 Screenwriting Lessons- Guardians of the Galaxy
(The Following May Contain Spoilers)

Pop Culture References Can Be Effective if Used Correctly – In Guardians of the Galaxy, pop culture references are used heavily, and help define the main protagonist, Quill. Quill owns a mixtape full of songs from the 1970’s, given to him by his late mother, and has a number of obsessions that he developed as a child on earth during the 80’s. These are showcased in a number of ways. In one memorable scene, he tells Gamora about the Kevin Bacon movie Footloose.  Furthermore, Quill has named his ship “The Milano” in an allusion to the 80’s television actress Alyssa Milano. These references serve to make Quill a more relatable character. Although he has lived most of his life in outer space, his interests remind us that he is essentially an ordinary earthman at heart.

There are also a number of references to contemporary issues, which are instantly recognizable to audiences. The villain Ronan is essentially a religious fundamentalist, angry that his people have made peace with the people of Xandar, and willing to destroy that planet in order to assert his people’s way of life on it. This ensures that audiences are able to connect with the movie, as the conflicts that take place in these faraway planets reflect those that highly important on this one.

Never Underestimate the Importance of a Character Arc- With the exception of the innocent Groot, the Guardians are all flawed, self-serving characters. During the course of the movie, they become considerably more selfless, as they learn to function as a team to protect the galaxy. This growing change is shown in a number of simple but effective scenes, such as one where Quill hands over his electronic helmet to Gamora so that she can breathe in space, and the distress Rocky feels when one of the pilots fighting for Xandar is killed by Ronan. Because we have grown attached to our unusual heroes, we have a greater interest in seeing them grow as characters, and therefore, when they exhibit a strong emotional reaction to something, we are Inclined to feel it too.

However, even with the changes in character, the protagonists still retain a number of their negative traits. This is evident at the end of the film, when the Guardians are rewarded for their heroism with the wiping of their prison sentences. Rocky and Drax are willing to push their regained freedoms pretty far, asking if their gives them the right to steal and murder. This shows that whilst the protagonists have changed for the better in various ways, many of their flaws are integral to their personalities and will therefore remain. Overall, the film succeeds in making the protagonists more heroic whilst keeping many of the imperfections that make them realistic and relatable.

Set-ups Have to Seem Natural – One of the more controversial scenes in the movie occurs at the climax, as Quill distracts Ronan by singing and dancing to one of the songs on his mixtape, allowing him to take the Infinity stone and use it to obliterate the villain. Whilst the scene lasts a bit too long, it makes sense for the character. In the opening credits, Quill is shown listening and dancing to another song as he roams a deserted planet looking for treasure. This obsession with dance is also showcased in his conversation with Gamora about Footloose at the movie’s midpoint. Therefore, the scene feels appropriate and fitting, even if it’s a bit embarrassing.

Another element carefully set up is the power of the Infinity Stone. It is first introduced when Quill obtains it and gets into a fight with some of Ronan’s men in the process. Its power is hinted at throughout the first half of the film, and finally revealed when the Guardians meet The Collector, a flamboyant alien who owns a collection of rare treasures and endangered species. During their meeting, one of The Collector’s slaves unleashes the power of the Infinity Stone in an attempt to destroy her master. The ensuing damage highlights the devastation that the Stone can cause, and shows that it is almost impossible to control, foreshadowing its use in the final confrontation with Ronan.

Create Vivid Worlds – The opening of Guardians of the Galaxy is one of the strongest sequences in the movie. It depicts Quill as a child in 1988, waiting in the hospital where his mother is suffering from cancer. The sequence is highly emotional because the pain, confusion and sadness that Quill feels is depicted in a vivid and powerful manner, yet still seems truthful and realistic. This ensures that when a spaceship arrives and take Quill, it has even more of an effect than usual, as the fantastical world of the aliens intrudes on the ordinary human world and the powerful tragedy that has occurred inside it.

However, the majority of the film is set on variety of alien planets. All of these are depicted in a simple and striking manner. The planet of Xandar is bright and modern, like a computer-generated rendering of a proposed modern new town or building project. Ronan’s warship is shaped like a bird of prey. The giant space prison is full of elaborate technology designed to keep intergalactic felons in line. These locations are highly memorable because they are based on clear and distinct images, and they provide an intriguing and colourful backdrop that helps to make the film even more interesting.

Create Unusual Characters – One of the selling points of Guardians of the Galaxy is the unusual nature of the protagonists. The two who are most unique are Rocky, a genetically-engineered racoon and Groot, a humanoid tree. They are introduced in Xandar, as Rocky makes disparaging comments about the various locals, and Groot drinks out of the water fountains. This establishes their personalities quickly and effectively. Whilst not quite as unusual, Quill, Gamora and Drax also have unique personality traits (For example, Gamora and Drax both take many of the expressions Quill uses literally). These stand-out features ensure that the Guardians are memorable characters, and make the viewer interested to see what happens to them.

However, the protagonists are certainly not the only quirky characters. The world-building of Guardians of the Galaxy extends to the various peoples and species on the numerous alien planets. Compared to the rest of the movies in the Marvel Universe, Guardians of the Galaxy is generally self-contained. With the exception of Thanos, introduced as a villain in Avengers Assemble, and a few minor Easter eggs, most of the elements here are new to the Marvel Universe. This movie does not require familiarity with the previous Marvel Movies in order to be fully understood. This increases its appeal, as it means that both hard-core Marvel fans and casual cinemagoers with no interest in comic books can enjoy it equally.

Verdict

Guardians of the Galaxy is an enjoyable blockbuster that represents another success for Marvel. In spite of its offbeat nature, it succeeds as mainstream entertainment because it is energetic and entertaining. It is simple to understand, but full of memorable worlds and characters. Most importantly, it balances spectacular visuals and explosive action sequences with interesting, well-developed characters. Overall, it provides a great example of how to do a summer blockbuster correctly.

5 Screenwriting Lessons - Edge of Tomorrow

Who Wrote It?

Dante Harper (Uncredited), Christopher McQuarrie, Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth, Simon Kinberg (Uncredited), Hiroshi Sakurazaka (Writer of the Source Material)

How Long is It?

Edge of Tomorrow is 113 minutes long, including end credits.

What's It About?

"Edge of Tomorrow" is based on the Japanese Light Novel "All You Need is Kill" by Hiroshi Sakurazaka. The film centres around William Cage (Played by Tom Cruise), an army major drafted into a war between humans and an alien species called "Mimics". Placed on the front line with the misfit J Squad, he is killed in a crucial battle, but instead of dying, he wakes up at the start of the day, going through the battle again. Realising that he is stuck in a time-loop, Cage teams up with the war hero Rita Vrataski (Played by Emily Blunt), who had a similar experience during a previous campaign. Cage now has to use the knowledge and abilities he gains from his period in the time-loop to defeat the Mimics.

5 Screenwriting Lessons You Can Learn From "Edge of Tomorrow"

(The Following May Contain Spoilers)

Keep It Simple - One of the best things about Edge of Tomorrow is its plot, which is unique but easy to follow. It is a good example of a high-concept movie, taking two elements familiar from other films and merging them to make something different. The two elements Edge of Tomorrow uses are the Time Loop (most notably used in Groundhog Day and Source Code) and the War With Aliens (Most notably used in Aliens and Starship Troopers). Both tropes are effective on their own, and combining them is a good idea, as it allows emphasis on their shared aspects, such as the similarity of the time-loop to the ability to restart a video game when you lose. The mechanics of video games are rarely exploited in films, and this allows the combination of the Sci-Fi and War genres to be effective.

Edge of Tomorrow follows the Three-Act structure. The First Act depicts Cage being drafted into battle and fighting for the first time. The Second Act begins with him relieving the battle for the first time, and covers his period in the Time Loop. In the Third Act, Cage loses his ability to reset time, and has to use all the skills he has accumulated to defeat the Mimics in one last battle. This allows the story to be simple and coherent, and ensures that it can be understood by as many viewers as possible, in contrast to the complicated, confusing plots often seen in Sci-Fi action movies.

Develop Characters - Edge of Tomorrow is primarily focused on action. The only information we get about Cage and Vrataski are details that pertain directly to the plot, such as the fact that Cage can't stand the sight of blood and Vrataski was instrumental in a major victory for the humans due to her ability to reset the day of battle. Information about their past is generally omitted. The same thing applies to the antagonists- We never know for sure why the Mimics invade, and keeping it a mystery increases their threat.

In the few instances where a character's backstory is brought up, it is used to demonstrate how much Cage has learnt in the time-loop, and not to develop the characters. A particularly frustrating example of this is when Cage explains his secret to the members of the J Squad, and reveals that one of them has assumed the identity of a dead comrade and is fighting on his behalf. If the soldier and his relationship with Cage had been properly developed, then this interesting piece of information would have meant something, However, it is soon forgotten about. As a result of the focus on the action over the characters, the protagonists and supporting cast are not developed enough to be as interesting as they should be.

Use Scenery - The action in the first half of the the movie is mostly confined to the army's training base in Heathrow and the French beaches where the battle takes place. However, in the second half, a wider range of locations are used, such as London and Paris. They are depicted simply, but in a manner that conveys the effect of the war. London's inhabitants sit in pubs, waiting for the Mimics to arrive. The devastated remains of Paris provide a striking location for the film's climax. This makes the alien threat seem more plausible and threatening, as it creates an atmosphere of tension that could conceivably be felt in any war zone in today's world.

Whilst the locations are used effectively, the scenes in the French countryside at the middle of the film could have been more unique and spectacular. The action in this sequence includes a fight with a mimic atop a caravan, and a helicopter flying out of control in a small barn. Both of these set pieces could have been spectacular if they were extended. Props count as scenery too, and their potential should be exploited, especially in fights and chases

Play Fair - It is implied that Cage relieves the same day dozens of times, but for the sake of preserving audience interest, this is condensed to a series of montages where Cage repeatedly dies during a certain point in the day, such as the battle on the beach or his training sessions with Vrataski. However, as the story opens out, these montages are eliminated. In spite of this, it is implied that Cage relieves the various key moments in the second half of the second act over and over. When Cage and Vrataski meet the head of the human army, General Bingham (Played by Brendan Gleeson) to tell him what they now know about the Mimics, Cage reveals details that he has learned from reliving the meeting repeatedly. However, we don't see the previous attempts, and if not for Cage's comments, we wouldn't even know that there were any. This is a problem, as it cheats the audience out of scenes that could have emphasised the risks that Cage and Vrataski go through in revealing the information, and increased the tension and level of interest in the story.

Make It Seem Real - The opening sequence of Edge of Tomorrow is effective at setting up the story and the characters. Using a series of "Newscasts" from around the world, it depicts the initial invasion and the defeats and victories experienced by the human army. It introduces the protagonists (Cage and Vrataski) and the antagonists (The Mimics), quickly and concisely, and creates a feeling of realism and immediacy. This makes us interested to know what happens next.

The realism also extends to the rest of the film. The battle which Cage continually relives takes place in Normandy, the site of the Allied invasion of France in World War 2, and Vrataski used her ability to rest time in a battle at Verdun, the location of a number of key campaigns in World War 1. The use of locations associated with previous wars allows the conflict seen here to gain a greater significance. Whilst alien invasions are not likely of occurring in the real world, Edge of Tomorrow has to make the war with the Mimics seem realistic - the viewer has to imagine that this it what it would look like if aliens invaded for real. By using important events from the past to inspire its depiction of the near-future, the film succeeds in doing this.

Verdict

Edge of Tomorrow is a good example of an action-based summer blockbuster. It uses its relatively short runtime well, providing us with an engaging story and a number of intense battle scenes. Although the script was revised numerous times during production (Which is why the initial writer, Dante Harper, is uncredited) and the film underwent numerous reshoots, you wouldn't think that was the case watching the finished film, as it flows perfectly and is easy to understand. Although I think that the characters should have been better developed, this was still an enjoyable movie, and provides a number of good lessons on how to write an action-adventure film that is unique and unusual, whilst still providing a good amount of blockbuster entertainment.