Reviewed by: Adam Mast
Edge of Darkness (based on an 80’s TV movie) marks Mel Gibson’s first starring role in a feature since 2002’s Signs. In the years since, he’s been making quite the name for himself as a director (see Passion of the Christ and Apocalypto). In Edge of Darkness, Gibson plays Thomas Craven, a Boston homicide detective who is forced to operate outside the law. When his 24 year old daughter is gunned down right in front of him, Craven springs into action and his investigation leads him to a slew of conspiracy theories that all seem to point at a corporate cover-up. Mel Gibson is solid here and its a good thing because, while the film plays to his strengths as an actor, there isn’t anything particularly exciting or unexpected about the conventional plot mechanics.
The trailer would have you believe this is a crowd pleasing thriller in the tradition of Taken, but Edge of Darkness reminds me of a running back who jukes and jives with so many “head fakes” that he loses his footing and falls for a loss. It isn’t mysterious or intriguing enough to play as a grand conspiracy thriller but it isn’t exciting or action packed enough to work as a crowd pleasing action film. What we’re left with is a movie somewhere in between. Director Martin Campbell is no stranger to high octane action. He brought us the fantastic James Bond reboot Casino Royale. This time out however, he’s never quite able to pull William Monahan and Andrew Bovell’s meandering screenplay together. There are certainly great moments in Edge of Darkness. There’s a somewhat interesting bond that develops between Craven and a mysterious individual named Jedburgh (played by Ray Winstone), and there are a few sparks in the final act of the film, but in the end, even a powerful and committed Mel Gibson can’t quite keep this one from going 3 and out.
More Adam Mast at Zboneman.com.
