Edge Of Darkness is Mel Gibson's first starring role since 2003's Signs. And while he's gone on to great artistic success (as director of Passion Of The Christ) and great personal lows (as the Jew hating Sugartits) it's fantastic to have Mad Mel back in front of the camera. Edge is a remake of the 1985 BBC mini-series of the same name...and also directed by the same person in Martin Campbell. And a good match of director, story and star it is too.
It's a simple tale of vengeance wrapped up in a conspiracy thriller plot. When Gibson's daughter is shot on his doorstep, Mel leaps into a relentless pursuit of the truth, leading him into areas outside of his juristiction as well as crossing paths with shady spooks like Ray Wise. Nobody channels bottled rage like Gibson and it's his intense, internal fire which fuels the story. As a consequence, the very stagy, talky thriller always has a degree of unpredictability as we root for Mel to track down those responsible and deliver terrible, bloody justice. And thankfully, it being an R rated adult thriller, that journey to do so is done with stylish moments of brief, explosive violence.
Not the most action packed thriller you'll see...especially as the trend is for gunfights and car chases ever 8.5 minutes these days, but with Mighty Mel leading the way, you'll never want to reach for the pause button. Welcome back, Du Fuhrer!
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