I liked this a lot more, and it “worked” a lot better, in those years post-9/11. Most notably the powerlessness of the US military and the expansive threat to the average person.
However, I’m not sure we really meet an average person in this. It’s extremely Cruise-centric and thus Ray has an air of invincibility. This is so pronouced you never really feel like Ray might be in danger. Maybe that’s a good thing as it helps focus our concerns on his children, in the same way Ray begins to.
But it is refreshing that when we first meet Ray he’s a more than a bit of a dick. He’s superficial and highly priviledged (in his own way). We gradually see that stripped away and Cruise totally sells it. However, it’s not anything we haven’t come to expect from him, so…
★★★