Edge Of Darkness: Movie Review

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.