'Darkness' slow, keeps you on 'edge'
William Koester
Issue date: 2/8/10 Section: Entertainment
Mel Gibson has not been in a movie like "Edge of Darkness" in a while. Once well-known as an action star, he has not made such a film in over a decade.
Gibson has had more visibility in the new millennium as a director than an actor, helming the controversial "The Passion of the Christ" and the Mayan epic "Apocalypto." He also made headlines for a DUI arrest in 2006, where he allegedly made anti-Semitic comments to police officers.
Gibson managed to stay out of the spotlight since the incident. Now, he is attempting to revive his sagging career by returning to the genre that made him famous.
Gibson plays Boston cop Tom Craven, whose visiting daughter Emma (Bojana Novakovic) is shot to death on his front porch by an unknown assassin. He then goes on a hunt to find out who killed her and why.
What Craven finds is a conspiracy involving the government, a U.S. senator, and a corporation called Northmoor. In fact, the conspiracy is so big that the film spends more time going deeper into it than on anything else.
The movie is based on a popular 1985 British mini-series, which was also directed by Martin Campbell. Since the original series clocks in at six hours, Campbell and writer Troy Kennedy Martin likely had enough time to develop the story while still keeping the suspense running high.
In the remake, however, the filmmakers have to cram so many plot points into two hours that there is little room left for action or character development. One result of this is the film moves slowly. Another is many characters do not get enough screen time.
Particularly underutilized is Ray Winstone as Jedburgh, a dark figure who could be a hero or a villain. Winstone's character could have been interesting, but he is essentially reduced to floating in the background instead of playing a big part in the story. He is just one of several characters that do not get their moments to shine.
When the film finally does kick into action mode, however, it does not disappoint. The brief, but brutal, shootouts and fistfights are highly entertaining, even if they lack the wit and humor of the "Lethal Weapon" series.
As Craven, Gibson is as effective as ever. His age and personal baggage aside, he is convincing and compelling in his typical role of a tough guy out for bloodthirsty vengeance. It is hard to root against him.
Despite its flaws, "Edge of Darkness" is a decent thriller. It may not be as good as some of Gibson's past action flicks, but he still has a lot left in his tank. Here's hoping for "Lethal Weapon 5."
This film receives the Pere-GRIN.
Gibson has had more visibility in the new millennium as a director than an actor, helming the controversial "The Passion of the Christ" and the Mayan epic "Apocalypto." He also made headlines for a DUI arrest in 2006, where he allegedly made anti-Semitic comments to police officers.
Gibson managed to stay out of the spotlight since the incident. Now, he is attempting to revive his sagging career by returning to the genre that made him famous.
Gibson plays Boston cop Tom Craven, whose visiting daughter Emma (Bojana Novakovic) is shot to death on his front porch by an unknown assassin. He then goes on a hunt to find out who killed her and why.
What Craven finds is a conspiracy involving the government, a U.S. senator, and a corporation called Northmoor. In fact, the conspiracy is so big that the film spends more time going deeper into it than on anything else.
The movie is based on a popular 1985 British mini-series, which was also directed by Martin Campbell. Since the original series clocks in at six hours, Campbell and writer Troy Kennedy Martin likely had enough time to develop the story while still keeping the suspense running high.
In the remake, however, the filmmakers have to cram so many plot points into two hours that there is little room left for action or character development. One result of this is the film moves slowly. Another is many characters do not get enough screen time.
Particularly underutilized is Ray Winstone as Jedburgh, a dark figure who could be a hero or a villain. Winstone's character could have been interesting, but he is essentially reduced to floating in the background instead of playing a big part in the story. He is just one of several characters that do not get their moments to shine.
When the film finally does kick into action mode, however, it does not disappoint. The brief, but brutal, shootouts and fistfights are highly entertaining, even if they lack the wit and humor of the "Lethal Weapon" series.
As Craven, Gibson is as effective as ever. His age and personal baggage aside, he is convincing and compelling in his typical role of a tough guy out for bloodthirsty vengeance. It is hard to root against him.
Despite its flaws, "Edge of Darkness" is a decent thriller. It may not be as good as some of Gibson's past action flicks, but he still has a lot left in his tank. Here's hoping for "Lethal Weapon 5."
This film receives the Pere-GRIN.
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gonsalez
posted 2/08/10 @ 12:54 AM CST
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