The Tomorrow War (Spoiler-Free Review)

Everyone is really obsessed with the dystopian theme these days, especially since we are close to being in one ourselves. While we wait for ours to eventually be over, the Chris Pratt-starring one is a movie audiences don't want to miss. The Tomorrow War is Amazon Prime's latest original release that they bought from Skydance due to its inability to play in cinemas but the first thing I thought of when watching this film was how much this movie was deserved to be watched on the big screen. 

The movie is set a year from now in December 2022 where soldiers from the future warn us of an incoming alien apocalypse that threatens human existence in 30 years' time. Biology teacher, Dan Forester (Pratt) is forced to join a mission that leads him on a time-bending adventure to save the human race. 

Portrayed as yet another alien action film that was doomed to fail, but watching it brings back the old saying 'you should never judge a movie from its trailer'. I mean... that's how the phrase should go amongst the Gen Z'ers since reading has become 'tedious'. However, The Tomorrow War is THE popcorn-flick of the summer (apart from Fast 9 and Black Widow) even if its trailer didn't manage to create the buzz it deserved. The movie starts out slow and suburban, getting you to wonder where all the action is at but you realize the runtime goes on for 2 hours and 18 minutes, which then gets you thinking where the hell is this going. But as the movie progresses, the movie gets more intriguing, more fun, and definitely filled with alien-on-human action that audiences never knew they needed. 

The time travel science here is laughable and then again, predictable with a dash of 'disappointing' due to the lack of proper explanation but this was probably because the film was focusing on everything else. That was the only sombre flaw within this loud movie especially if you have been schooled over time travel theories many times as a sci-fi/fantasy enthusiast but everything else about the Tomorrow War is honestly, exceptional.

There have been criticisms towards the look of the aliens that are the antagonists of this post-apocalyptic alien spectacle when in fact, the aliens looked cool and scary, which is great since there have been other failed alien looks in the past. The highlight of this movie is, however, Chris Pratt and not the extraterrestrial creatures themselves. He's honing in a Will Smith-like energy with his alien killing but his more quiet moments were his best. Watching him emote in a fatherly sense as well as a heartwarming leader is considerably fresh since we've seen him play an A-Hole with heart of gold far too many times. 

The long runtime is also necessary. Once the dust settles, you are left wondering if it is indeed over and you start to beg the movie to not to. Once you've reached that moment, the movie thankfully answers your prayers and gives you the closure you need that turns out more satisfying than expected.

Tomorrow War isn't the plot twist bombastorama I was expecting it to be but it turned out to be something else entirely. With no loose threads left to tie, the best feeling you feel by the end of it is the acknowledging the lack of subtle set ups for a potential sequel. (but then again I could be wrong since they've decided to make a sequel to Edge of Tomorrow). With that aside, I really hope watch this movie and enjoy it as much as I did if they ever get the chance, Amazon Prime subscribers or otherwise.