Good movie but grossly overrated

Fantastic!

This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

Thomas Craven is a Boston detective who's only child, his daughter Emma, is gunned down and dies in his arms in the opening minutes. He, along with everybody else, naturally assumes that he was the real target but the more he learns about his daughter's life the more obvious it becomes that she was involved with some very dangerous people. She worked at Northmoor, an independent defence research and development company which she discovered was involved in some very illegal activities. Three people she helped access the facility turned up dead and irradiated and it turns out she too is radioactive. As Craven looks into her life he learns that those who knew her are very scared, and rightly so… whatever Emma discovered Northmoor will go to any length to keep secret.This film is a solid enough thriller with plenty of action and a decent story… the problem is that anybody who watched the original BBC miniseries is sure to find this weak by comparison; not surprising given that six hours of material have been cut down to two. On the plus side all of the significant characters have changed significantly so I didn't find myself comparing them too much. The main cast are pretty good; Mel Gibson is believable as Craven and Ray Winstone impresses as Jedbugh, a somewhat menacing fixer whose loyalties are far from obvious. As the story approaches its conclusion there aren't too many surprises; the ending is effective without being anything too special. Overall I'd say this is worth watching if you are a fan of Mel Gibson or fancy watching a decent thriller that will pass a couple of hours… however if you want a superior version with more interesting characters and a deeper story then watched the original mini-series.

Continuing my plan to watch every Mel Gibson movie in order I come to Edge Of Darkness (2010)This was the first movie starring Mel Gibson in a leading role in 8 years. And to say a lot had happened in those years is an understatement. He stood by Robert Downey Jr's side during his personal problems and A hate filled rant whilst being pulled for DUI. Apocalypto doing well despite being a tough sell on top of Gibson's scandal was proof audiences will ignore a certain amount of bad behaviour.Plot In A Paragraph: As homicide detective Thomas Craven (Gibson) investigates the murder of his daughter, he uncovers not only her secret life, but a corporate cover-up and government collusion that attracts an agent tasked with cleaning up the evidence.This is a tough one for me to review, as I was a fan of the BBC mini series this is based on. They obviously changed a lot, to fit it into the time constraints of one movie, but it's not bad, it's not great by any means, but it's an above average movie that has a few 'jump' moments in there too. All the supporting cast are fine, and Winstone pops up in possibly my favourite performance from him, but this is Gibson's movie, and for me, in Edge of Darkness, he remains a likable man with a natural screen presence, whose character I didn't have too hard of a time getting behind. Edge Of Darkness grossed $43 million dollars at the Domestic Box Office to end 2010 the 73rd highest grossing movie of the year. So, it wasn't a hit for Gibson.  But it didn't totally bomb either.  If anything, it can probably be viewed as a minor victory, that some (maybe only older action fans) audiences didn't seem to be holding his scandals against him.And the THOSE tapes dropped.

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

Police detective Thomas Craven (Mel Gibson) loses his daughter when masked man shoot her on his front steps right next to him. He can't be part of the police investigation but that doesn't stop him. Before the shooting, she was sick and had tried to tell him something. As he digs deeper, he discovers a vast corrupt conspiracy.Mel Gibson tries to return to movies after his personal problems. The movie starts with a lot of promise. He's quite compelling as the angry resolute father. He gives a great tone to his performance. We've seen this Mel Gibson character before. However the convoluted story gets way too complicated. The rambling story loses the tension and excitement. At least, Mel shows that he still has the screen presence.