[REVIEW] Amazon’s The Tomorrow War Is The Summer Blockbuster We’ve Been Waiting For

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE NOT YET SEEN THE TOMORROW WAR, THIS IS A NON-SPOILER REVIEW.

As years have passed, we’ve almost become disenchanted by the modern big-budget blockbuster.  We rarely get anything that’s not a sequel, franchise installment or remake nowadays. When we do, it’s usually a let down by the barrage of clichés, weak character development and overall laziness of these large studio productions.  So, when I saw the first trailer for Amazon’s The Tomorrow War, I thought it looked like the epitome of all of these shortcomings. 

It also worried me that the director, Chris McKay, was primarily known for his work on The Lego Batman Movie and Robot Chicken. While those are entertaining, that doesn’t really prove your clout to helm such a daunting project like The Tomorrow War.  So, count me completely shocked, when I was blown out of the water by this film and McKay’s work.

WHAT IS THE TOMORROW WAR ALL ABOUT?

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The film stars Chris Pratt as high school teacher Dan, who’s going about his daily life as normal, when a televised soccer match is interrupted by an army with a devastating message.  They plead to the people of the present to enlist and help them fight an unimaginable alien threat in the future.  If they are not able to get the help that they need, the entire human race will be eradicated.  Dan ends up being drafted to join the war, and because of his military experience, is thrust to the head of the pack to lead their army to victory and to save the human race.

HOW ARE THE TIME TRAVEL ASPECTS?

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Although the plot is pretty simple, there are many nuances to the storyline that were very surprising.  The film is really brilliant in how it toys with the past, present and future, that makes many of the story beats that would normally read as tired, feel unexpected and fresh.  The Tomorrow War also does something that so few modern-day blockbusters do; it gives us significant character development and it lets its story breathe amongst the action sequences.  Now, don’t get me wrong, there are not a whole lot of lulls in the two hour twenty minute run-time, but when the film does slow down, it doesn’t feel forced and the development in those quieter moments are warranted.  

DOES THE FILM HAVE HEART?

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Another aspect of this movie that took me by surprise is the strength of its emotional core.  I can’t divulge which two characters this resonant poignancy comes from, but what I can say is this… The Tomorrow War’s themes of the value of family, the bonds of which give us strength and the power to move forward, rings honestly and authentically here.  The emotional beats that usually feel out of place in movies like this, actually felt like they belonged in this movie… and it was all the better, for them.

HOW IS THE ACTION?

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But, of course, you all came here for the spectacle, not the sappy stuff, right?  Well, The Tomorrow War is one epic piece of blockbuster filmmaking.  The alien beings are just terrifying and realized enough, to make the stakes feel ever-so high. And force the tension to hit the ceiling.  The action is bombastic, explosive and spectacular; which makes me a little bummed that this film is being released to a streaming platform. It feels like this was really meant to be seen on the biggest screen possible.  And while there are moments when the action started reaching mind numbing levels and the CGI started to feel like it was all blending together… the film would pump on the brakes for a much-needed breather.  And hit the refresh button.

HOW IS CHRIS PRATT IN THE FILM?

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Pratt proves once again why he is such an effective leading protagonist.  Although his physique is that of a superhero, his prowess comes from being a charming, believable everyman that feels at home, yet at the same time, out of his comfort zone in these incredulous circumstances.  At the end of the day, he is an actor who effortlessly creates characters that everyone can relate to and root for.  It was also refreshing in this film, that the actor toned down his usual smarmy sarcastic humor with Dan, to give us a much more grounded character.  

AND THE REST OF THE CAST?

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The rest of the cast is also excellent, the huge stand-out being Yvonne Strahovski who effectively balances this air of mystery, deep-rooted anxiety, unwavering fortitude and heartfelt compassion.  Her Commander character could have gone off the rails so quickly, but it is because of Strahovski’s deeply-felt performance that what works about The Tomorrow War, works so well.  My one gripe about the cast doesn’t have to do with the performances per se, but that Betty Gilpin was cast as the side-lined wife character.  Gilpin is one of the biggest bad-asses working today and I yearned throughout the entirety of the film to see her in action.  Such a disappointment…

ANY ISSUES WITH THE TOMORROW WAR?

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The Tomorrow War is certainly not without its flaws.  Like I said prior, there are moments in the movie that action scenes go on for too long.  There are only so many bullets that can be shot, aliens to be slaughtered and explosions to go off, before the action starts to become wearisome.  And the cheese-factor in this movie is very high; there are certainly some scenes that came off as silly and hokey, but I expect that going in to any film like this, especially a dumb-fun summer popcorn flick.  And lastly, The Tomorrow War, although an original concept, is a film that is derivative of so many films that have come before it, but luckily it spins it all in a way that does feel fresh and new.  

The Tomorrow War will be Streaming Exclusively on Amazon Prime Friday, July 2nd.

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