TOM CRUISE IS A BUSY ELF

I agree with every single word of this article.

Cruise is insanely talented but lazy. I rewatched the Spielberg War of the Worlds over the weekend and it struck me that while his actual level of performace is very high, he's really just playing the one character he seems to play in every single film, or what I like to call The ProtoCruise (Arrogant dick learns humility/responsibility through the power of lurve) yet again. If he can stay away from this character arc for once, I'd gladly watch him. And yeah, this film sounds like a Source Code/Starship Troopers mashup that could potentially be awesome.

That's not lazy, that's Cruise giving all he got. This guy never goes half-cocked, half-assed or half-baked, he's all or nothing. Every film he gives 1,000,000%. He's famous for it.

This is one of the least lazy dudes whoever worked in the 'Wood.

Besides, "arrogant dick learns humility/responsibility through the power of lurve" is WAY off what he played in War Of The Worlds. He was still Tom Cruise Movie Star but he was playing a humble mechanic single father who was pretty much lost. His arrogant dick learns a lesson thing from Top Gun and Days Of Thunder is also very different from his wounded soul caught up in crazy times from Minority Report or his wounded body caught up in post-Vietnam trauma guy from Born On The Fourth. Or his soulless killing machine from Collateral. Or Les Grossman.

His star power can overwhelm whatever movie universe you put him in but his characters have different arcs and personalities. Mostly.

The name sounded very familiar, and sure enough the synopsis tipped me off, that script has been on the blacklist for a good while now.  Surely an encouraging sign.

I read this script awhile back, though I understand it underwent a few re-writes. It was meant for a MUCH younger lead, so I'm wondering what sort of changes Cruise and company made, particularly considering this movie is happening during a future alien war, making it pretty similar to Cruise's upcoming "Oblivion," or "Horizons," or whatever that movie with the Tron guy was called.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Workyticket 

Cruise is insanely talented but lazy. I rewatched the Spielberg War of the Worlds over the weekend and it struck me that while his actual level of performace is very high, he's really just playing the one character he seems to play in every single film, or what I like to call The ProtoCruise (Arrogant dick learns humility/responsibility through the power of lurve) yet again. If he can stay away from this character arc for once, I'd gladly watch him. And yeah, this film sounds like a Source Code/Starship Troopers mashup that could potentially be awesome.

He played ProtoCruise in Magnolia and it's his best role.

OK, I guess I'm exaggerating slightly with the whole 'one character' thing (Born on the Fourth of July and Collateral are good examples), but the archetype does show up a lot. War of the Worlds? He starts off cocky, self-centred and the film all but trips over itself driving home the fact that he's insensitive to his kids' needs, and his entire arc consists of him learning sensitivity and responsibility. Then again, maybe it's because Cruise is so good at playing 'cocky' a lot of his characters seem to follow that type... I dunno. I like him as a performer, it's just that his characters feel so similar. Granted, that could be a personality thing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bucho 

That's not lazy, that's Cruise giving all he got. This guy never goes half-cocked, half-assed or half-baked, he's all or nothing. Every film he gives 1,000,000%. He's famous for it.

 

This is one of the least lazy dudes whoever worked in the 'Wood.

I'd have to agree with you here. I don't think he's always been up to snuff*, but he clearly never gives anything less than his all

Anyway, I admire Cruise despite his off screen antics. He takes risks, and has sought out the best of the best as collaborators time and time again over the years. You look at someone like Will Smith, who is content to coast on BIG WILLIE STYLE until his star burns out, and there is a real contrast

I hope this turns out well, as in certain roles Cruise's intense energy can do wonders, but the Doug Liman connection does give me pause... Maybe he's just no longer a big enough star to rope in an classy director for his pet action project?

*he helped get the flick off the ground so I can't complain too loudly, but unfortunately I just don't think he has what it takes to really pull off BOT4OJ. He's good in some scenes, but in others it's a tad painful to watch

Although the plots are different, I'm reminded of the old sci-fi story... ROGUE MOON. Both have the multiple-life videgamey dynamic and alien element.