Edge Of Darkness: Movie Review
Edge of Darkness
Rating: 6/10
Cast: Mel Gibson, Ray Winstone, Bojana Novakovic
Director: Martin Campbell
Back on the big screen for the first time in 7 years, Mel Gibson returns in
conspiracy revenge thriller, Edge of Darkness helmed by NZ's very own Martin
Campbell.
Based on a BBC mini series (which was directed by Campbell back when it was
initially broadcast in the 1980s) Gibson stars as Boston detective Tom Craven,
whose daughter Emma (Bojana Novakovic) comes home to visit.
However, Emma becomes sick and after vomiting blood, Craven decides to take
her to the hospital. But barely out of the front door, she's shot dead in a
drive by.
The police are convinced he's the target of the shooter, but Craven begins
his own investigation - and gradually begins to realize he's slap bang in the
middle of a massive conspiracy which has wider implications than he could ever
realize.
So it's a return for Mel Gibson in front of the camera - and perhaps this
world weary cop with his steely eyed determination is a suitable role to
announce he's back. Gibson manages to convey Craven's simmering anger at his
daughter's death and resolve to get to the truth in an excellent way (you're
never quite sure exactly when he's going to explode) but unfortunately he's
mired in a rather formulaic film which has all the trappings of your everyday
thriller.
The problem with this is that the central story of corruption is nothing new
and is not really told in an entirely original way. There's Ray Winstone's
mysterious government agent Jedbergh, who mumbles and menaces his way through
the story; he tries for enigmatic and ends up confused as to which side he's on;
there's a sinister shadowy cabal who meet to decide how it'll pan out - and
there's betrayal aplenty.
Aside from some jolts to your nerve moments (which are obviously coming),
there's little original in how this pans out. .That's not to say it's not good -
it's merely middle of the road, generic, formulaic thriller with chases, scenes
of suspense and twists aplenty.
At the end of the
day, Gibson's probably the main reason to see this - it's a welcome return to
form for the man whose private life has overwhelmed his acting abilities.
At Darren's World of Entertainment - a movie, DVD and game review blog. The latest movie and DVD reviews - plus game reviews as well. And cool stuff thrown in when I see it.
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