After the premiere of Edge of Tomorrow, renowned film critic Roger Ebert shared a brief review in the Chicago Sun-Times:
"For a commercial film, Paul Greengrass injects his unique touch with fast-paced editing and a sharp rhythm that keeps the audience engaged throughout. Renly Hall delivers a remarkable performance, balancing light and heavy moments, lending the film a more mature tone. The chemistry between Hall and his supporting cast elevates the film, making it a standout in its genre."
This was not merely a short commentary. Roger Ebert also published a more extensive review on his personal website, drawing comparisons between Edge of Tomorrow and Groundhog Day. He delved into the topic of reincarnation and expanded upon the film's core themes, focusing on the dynamics between Daisy-Lucas and the broader exploration of life, growth, and destiny.
In the conclusion of his review, Ebert wrote, "This is, in essence, a film about life, growth, and destiny. Greengrass masterfully intertwines art and commerce, placing all emphasis on the actors' performances, which in turn shape the entire film into a popcorn spectacle. Clearly, the director succeeded."
From the brief review to the long-form analysis, Ebert rated Edge of Tomorrow with the highest praise, assigning it a score of 90 and recommending it with 4 stars—outdoing the summer's biggest hit, The Avengers. This level of recognition from such a respected critic speaks volumes about the film's reception.
Following the premiere, 43 media outlets chimed in with reviews—39 of which were positive, 4 were neutral, and none were negative. This caused the film's media score to soar to 81, setting off a ripple of excitement in the summer movie scene.
An 81 rating is truly remarkable. For comparison, Groundhog Day, another film of the same genre, received a 71; Inception received a 74; Avatar scored 83; The Dark Knight earned 82.
By comparison, the media ratings for this summer's other releases were significantly lower: The Avengers scored 69, The Hunger Games 68, Black Shadow 55, and Snow White and the Huntsman 57.
This puts Edge of Tomorrow in a class with cinematic heavyweights like The Dark Knight and Avatar. While the box office results are still pending, the film has already captured the admiration of critics.
Furthermore, the film's success extends beyond professional film critics. Edge of Tomorrow has become a sensation on Rotten Tomatoes, holding a staggering 95% fresh rating and an 8.4 out of 10 from 295 critics. This exceptional performance is reminiscent of The Avengers and further confirms the film's universal appeal.
Following the premiere and initial critical reviews, the buzz around Edge of Tomorrow only intensified. The film's IMDb score skyrocketed to 8.6 and earned a spot in the top 30 of their "250 Greatest Movies" list. It now ranks just ahead of The Professional, an astonishing achievement for a commercial film.
Meanwhile, on Rotten Tomatoes, the Popcorn Index hit 98%, and the theater score was an "A+" rating—the highest possible. This marked only the second time in 2012 that a film earned such an accolade, the first being The Avengers. To put this in perspective, only six films in 2011 received an "A+" theater score, highlighting the rarity and prestige of such a rating.
For Edge of Tomorrow, this score reflects an impeccable public reception, signaling strong box office prospects. The theater score is a crucial indicator, as it's based on feedback from regular moviegoers—those whose ratings often influence a film's financial success.
From critics to audiences, Edge of Tomorrow has won widespread acclaim. These accolades represent a new high in Renly Hall's career, eclipsing even the success of The Avengers. The film's box office performance, still uncertain, has become the subject of intense anticipation.
In comparison, its competitors Prometheus and Madagascar 3 have struggled. Prometheus garnered mixed reviews—65 from critics and 73% on Rotten Tomatoes, while Madagascar 3 fared slightly better with a 60 rating from critics and 79% from the public. Despite their relative strengths, both films have been overshadowed by Edge of Tomorrow's meteoric rise.
With the summer box office race heating up, it remains to be seen if Edge of Tomorrow can translate its critical success into box office gold. The competition is fierce, and the question on everyone's mind is whether word-of-mouth will be enough to ensure sustained commercial success.
Nevertheless, Renly's decision to abandon the Fast & Furious sequel in favor of Edge of Tomorrow—a choice that sparked heated debate—now seems prescient. The film not only received praise from a commercial standpoint but also earned professional recognition for Renly's performance. Critics and fans alike now recognize his ability to thrive in blockbuster roles while maintaining artistic integrity.
This strategic gamble has paid off, proving that Edge of Tomorrow is more than just a summer popcorn flick. It's a testament to Renly's continued evolution as an actor, and it solidifies his place in Hollywood's upper echelons. Should the film continue its box office success, Renly will have firmly established himself as one of the industry's brightest stars, poised for a potential awards season breakthrough.