Too much of everything

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

This movie is a great example of the fact that an actor is made to be good at one or two types of movies and not all.Anyway, Mel Gibson is the actor that knows how to handle the part of David fighting against Goliath and actually win. He did it in Payback, Patriot, Braveheart and so many more. For God's sakes he also did it with aliens in the Omen. Being a good father except from a hero is even better since I believe it's a quality he has in him.Sometimes he is a little over dramatic when he wants to show he gives more than 100% in his effort, but he is still way better than the average father character we see.Apart from Gibson, the story is good even though to much of a conspiracy theory for my taste, and the plot is solid.It is definitely a movie worth watching (at least once).

Mel Gibson makes a welcome return to the big screen with this, a remake of an acclaimed BBC miniseries from the 1980s which has the same director in Martin Campbell. I hadn't seen the original version, but I saw that William Monahan was present as screenwriter and after enjoying his previous remake (THE DEPARTED) I thought I'd probably like this one. I was wrong. I didn't just like this – I loved it! This film contains everything I love about thrillers: a conspiracy reaching to the highest levels, sinister guys in black suits and 4x4s with tinted windows always in the background, a lone hero looking for justice, and a few blistering action sequences thrown in for good measure.The story of a father seeking justice for his murdered daughter is nothing new, but the intelligent and literate script breathes life into the tired premise and makes it seem fresh once more. Despite the presence of some brief, decent action (a fight that recalls the one in QUANTUM OF SOLACE and a car stunt that recalls the one in CASINO ROYALE) this is more of a thinking man's thriller as our hero tries to make sense of jigsaw clues and a conspiracy blackout.Gibson has long been one of my favourite presences in Hollywood. His films, whether as director or actor, always seem to have heart and I hope his new Viking movie ends up getting made. He's on top form here as the grieving father, accessing some really dark areas and at the same time providing some touching moments when he sees his daughter before him. The supporting cast is also fine, with stand-out turns from Danny Huston as the slimy suited bad guy and Ray Winstone as an ambivalent figure, the kind who "stops you connecting A to B".The best presence of all is that of Martin Campbell, who directs a film that's extremely polished and well made, with every scene crafted so that it's just right. The climax is inevitable but well handled and it's nice to see the bad guys getting their just deserts in such a well-filmed way. Definitely one of the year's best, this.

Edge of Darkness (2010): Dir: Martin Campbell / Cast: Mel Gibson, Ray Winstone, Danny Huston, Bojana Novakovic, Shawn Roberts: Revenge thriller regarding obsession. When his daughter is gunned down at his front door, a detective struggles to find those responsible but his journey reveals information regarding his daughter that leads to conspiracy. Director Martin Campbell knows how to shoot action. To his credit are Goldeneye and Mask of Zorro, which are superior films but nonetheless this is certainly a decent effort. He gains great sympathy with his star Mel Gibson whose detective throws himself into the middle of danger without care, and vengeance on the brain until his vengeance is satisfied. Ray Winstone steals scenes as someone who knows more than what he reveals to Gibson. His original appearance is negative until they discover a use for one another. Danny Huston appears as the film's main villain but the role is very much straight forward with little depth. Bojana Novokovic is superb in her brief scenes as Gibson's daughter who may or may not be up to the wrong end of the plot. Shawn Roberts plays her boyfriend whom becomes a suspect when Gibson makes discoveries. Other roles are unfortunately flat but then again much of the film is presented in entertainment over thought. That is not to say that a message doesn't exit. It is a well crafted film technically with fine locations and many ominous settings that will likely appeal to fans of the genre. The film deals with loss and tragedy, and our yearning for answers when confusion gives way to hopelessness and total darkness. Score: 7 ½ / 10

This was a decent enough cop revenge thriller with an old-school 90's vibe to it and extreme bursts of violence that made me jump and say things like "holy sh*t!" Mel plays a Boston homicide detective and is essentially angry-cop-dad for the entire movie, showing only one emotion (grumpy) in a very Harrison Ford sort of way. He is kinda justified I guess after his daughter gets (violently) blown away right beside him. Initially it's believed that 'Thomas' was the intended target but as he probes into her life he discovers she was hiding some secrets and in big trouble.The plot is pretty good, a little vague in places. I liked it when Mel's character crossed the line and no longer cared about the consequences and how he talked to his daughter's ghost throughout. Good ending too. 6/28/14