Visitors Review

oneguyrambling (2012-05-23 01:25)

Yet another Mel Gibson "I'm the guy with nothing to lose" flick. Not bad.

This film is embedded firmly within the "They messed with the wrongguy" genre. In fact at one point Mel Gibson even looks at a guy andsays "I'm the guy with nothing to lose who doesn't give a sh*t!" DuhMel. Don't know if you've noticed, but in almost every movie you'vemade you're that guy as well.But Edge of Darkness is other things as well within the genre.- It is a leap of faith film. We're expected to believe that one guycan be far more resourceful, smarter and effective than the dozens ofothers investigating the case, even when the entire way others aretrying to hamper his progress and in some cases kill him.- It is a what the? film. At one point Mel holds an in-car conversationwith a young woman. The conversation last a few minutes and at theclose she says something like "I'm done with this", and opens the doorand steps out. At exactly that moment a car hurtles into her, shearsoff the car door and leaves her crumpled on the road. (Seconds laterMel pumps a dozen or so rounds into the windscreen where the car thencareens over a carefully placed ramp and flips at high speed into theriver.) Now back to the car crash, if the woman had 1/ glanced at therear view mirror or 2/ chosen to exit the car at almost any otherpoint: the other car would have harmlessly yet noisily flown by with noimpact. It is practically impossible to plan a hit in this way givensuch normally random circumstances. But it did look pretty cool when ithappened on film, no argument there.- It is a quiet/loud film. Dialogue is generally toned down so that youprogressively concentrate a bit harder to hear what is going on andthen BLAMMO!, something happens and people bleed a bit or exit the filmsuddenly. It means that the loud bits are more impactful but in thecinema I was in meant I missed a lot of the dialogue as the quiet bitswere just too damn quiet.- It is most of all a black and white film. The bad guys are bad fromthe start, the good guys are easily identifiable. Good and bad diealong the way and we know from minute 1 Mel will end up in a shootoutwith the lead baddies.So what is Edge of Darkness about? Mel is Tom Craven, a Boston cop.After his daughter is killed in an apparent attempt on his life Mel, Imean Tom switches to Payback mode and proceeds to "get to the bottom ofthis".Along the way he finds that his daughter Emma was part of "somethingbigger", in this case the "something" involves a large corporation,headed by a smarmy pr*ck named Bennett. From this point though it seemsthat as Tom gets closer to the truth someone is cleaning things up fromthe other end.As Tom continues his search he meets Jedburgh, played by Ray Winstonein a manner that suggests that he is weary with his occupation, but isstill not a man to be f*cked with. Jedburgh is "the guy called in whenthere is a problem", he is cold, dispassionate, dangerous andapparently all-knowing in a way that I hope can only exist in films.Despite all the clichés and pseudo-warnings above Edge of Darkness isgood at what it does, the action is good, the bad guys suitably bad andTom is allowed to dispose of as many of them as he likes with seeminglyno implications along the way.The plot also allows for Tom to progress his search and move up theline towards the Big Bad Guy at the finale in a reasonably logicalorder without losing the audience, and if things get a littleconvoluted Jedburgh simply appears so that they can have a conversationand allow everyone to catch up.Basically it is Taken with politicians and white collar businessmeninstead of European prostitution ring members. Now I thought Taken wasone of the better mindless action flicks of the last few years, andwhile Edge of Darkness is not in that league it is a reasonablefacsimile and worth a look.I might add a disclaimer here and say that I loathe Mel Gibson the manfor two reasons; his moronic outburst to the police a couple years backthat proved he was (at least at that time) a pretty worthless humanbeing, and the fact that he makes good movies and is likable, even whenplaying a ruthless "guy with nothing to lose". The second point makesthe first one that much harder to swallow.Final Rating - 7 / 10. This film might be a lot of things, but at thevery least it is always entertaining.If you liked this review (or even if you didn't) check outoneguyrambling.com

csteddy (2012-05-22 06:00)

not a patch on the original

The only consolation is that the writer of the original TV Series (TroyKennedy Martin), wasn't alive to see what was done to it. Thescreenplay adaption was as bad as the acting. One of the writers hasform in this area, i.e. turning a silk purse into a sow's ear. Anyonewho thinks that The Departed was a good film should see the original(Infernal Affairs). And whose idea was it to get Mel Gibson to try andplay Craven like Bob Peck? LOL. At least this idea was forgotten afterseveral cringe- worthy scenes and Mel could get back to doing the onlything that he can do well, i.e. shoot people. I should also feel sorryfor Ray Winstone (an actor that I admire) in trying to reprise the roleof Jedburgh, but he didn't have to accept the part. No lines to die forin this script.

(2012-05-22 22:41)

Back To Making A Good Film

This review is from: Edge of Darkness (Amazon Instant Video) After waiting for a good film for abit from Gibson, he delivered with this movie. The supporting cast was good as well. A timely, believable story, well written and well acted. Unlike his other "vengeance" movies, this was higher quality. I'm not sure if some of his expressions we have seen in other movies, especially the Lethal Weapon series are any different at all - in fact they are almost the same expressions and actions. The way he quickly and precisely shoots the "bad guys" in either the head, through a windshield or in another well placed painful spot is identical. That aside, the surprises in this were true surprises to me, and the ending was a surprise also. Without spoiling it, I think it was not the ending many would imagine. I'm glad I took the chance on watching this.

(2012-05-22 08:00)

A movie that deserves more acclaim

Mel Gibson became a controversial Hollywood figure after he created The Passion of the Christ. The film, focusing on Christ's final days, was not received well by Hollywood elites - it was too gory and it was filmed in Aramaic. The underlying problem was that the film was also an expression of Gibson's Catholic faith. Once the movie was out, and with all the controversy stirring around it, the best thing that could happen to Hollywood would be for Gibson to self-implode. That he did after his drunken driving arrest and his anti-Semitic remarks to arresting officers. Hollywood couldn't have scripted it better: Gibson was now just a hypocrite, as much a sinner as anyone else. The above is why I believe that this film, Edge of Darkness, did not get the acclaim that it deserves. It is one of the best movies of its kind, the action/thriller. Gibson displays his magnificent acting skills, convincingly playing a cop father distraught by his daughter's murder. He struggles with this, at times hallucinating his daughter's voice and presence. He portrays the character with the appropriate intensity without going too far. The other actors are excellent too, all handling their roles more than adequately and helping make the plot believable. The plot itself was very good. Stories like these, with twists and turns that keep you in suspense, can get into trouble: how could he have known that? How did he get there so quickly? Except for one odd issue with a key prop, none of this occurred. The viewer is riveted to the movie, waiting with anticipation for what happens next. The story builds appropriately to a satisfying climax, and not necessarily the one you would expect. I can see some viewers thinking the end somewhat melodramatic, but I think it was done well enough.

johnc2141 (2012-05-19 21:40)

Mels great comeback

OK i know many people are Mel Gibson haters but almost every Hollywoodactor and actress does something dumb,anyway this movie rocks,MelGibsons return since the 2002 sci fi drama signs,Mel plays a detectivewho is out to solve a the murder of his daughter.no spoilers here butthis is an unusual action drama with many surprises,I'm glad Mel Gibsondecided to make this movie it is a good comeback.rumor has it he wasdropped out of mad max 4 by another actor.but this movie will keeppeople on the edge of their seat and its a nail-biter.after all i was afan of Mr Gibson since the first mad max movie.its time to look beyondthis actors mistakes.I'm recommending the edge of darkness to all fansof action police dramas.i give this film 10 out of 10.welcome back MelGibson.and stop the hating.

(2012-05-19 06:53)

Seems Familiar, But Still Exciting

Mel Gibson stars as Boston P.D. Detective Thomas Craven. His daughter Emma (Bojana Novakovic) comes to visit. Although father and daughter are very close, for some poorly explained ("generation gap"?) reason, they have not seen each other much during the past several years. Their reunion is ruined when Emma becomes violently ill and Craven must rush her to the hospital. As they leave the house together, Emma is shotgunned to death. All this happens in the first minutes of the film, and certainly captured my interest.The remainder has Craven investigating. He wants to know if he was the intended victim. He searches for a motive. He finds the stereotypical evil corporation headed by an egomaniacal CEO. There's top secret research and brutal people in high places in the government. In typical Gibson fashion, he slams his way into the fray. I felt that it was a montage of bits and pieces of plots found in countless movies, including elements from the Lethal Weapon series and The Conspiracy Theory. Although there is indeed nothing new under the sun, the whole thing still seemed too predictable. But there's plenty of action. The multi-talented Gibson still packs a mighty punch and still has a sure aim.

Stephen Whitty (2012-05-18 22:46)

Gibson remains -- despise or defend him -- a uniquely fascinating screen presence as our shattered hero.

(2012-05-18 11:44)

Disc did not work

We watch the movie about half way through and then it froze. We tried everything to get it to go past scene 13 and nothing. VERY VERY frustrating to watch it to that point and not be able to see the rest. It was a good movie so far too.

mdnobles19 (2012-05-17 08:13)

Welcome back Mel!

An very riveting, edge of your seat thriller with Mel Gibson at the topof his game. This one plays out like most revenge flicks and is nothingwe haven't seen before but what a wild, bloody, slow burning ride untilthe touching end. This one reminds me a little bit of another revengeflick The Brave One though to me not as powerful but definitely hitsyou were it counts with some surprises here and there that will startleyou and make you jump a bit. You'll root for this vigilante all the wayand was quite entertaining seeing Mel Gibson being such a bad@ss and hewas great in his role as the grieving father on the edge to get justicefor his murdered daughter. It's even more upsetting to see what hisdaughter died for and even more rewarding to see revenge served.Overall this was a very solid and satisfying revenge/thriller nothingmore nothing less and it's great to see Mel Gibson back in top form.Recommended! More of a 3.5 out of 5 stars.

(2012-05-16 12:03)

o.m.g. wow

i just got done watching this on pay per veiw 5 minutes ago. so sad and suspensful. i wish they showed the newscast at the end. it was soooo sad when mel gibson died!!!! when the other people died u could not tell it was cpoming!!!!!!!!everyone should watch this cuz its sooooooo cool. but sad. and suspensful!!!!!!!

Joshua Starnes (2012-05-16 11:39)

Adapted from the landmark BBC mini-series by original director Martin Campbell, Edge of Darkness is a polished piece of political suspense masquerading as a crime drama and pulling off both rather successfully.

Fernando F. Croce (2012-05-16 05:10)

Martin Campbell's direction keeps the uneasy mix of Death Wish 2 and Michael Clayton taut for a good deal of the running time

Matthew Turner (2012-05-07 17:26)

Fairly solid thriller with a strong performance from Gibson and some nice directorial touches, though die-hard fans of the TV series are advised to steer clear.

Rafer Guzman (2012-05-07 08:03)

Gibson, of course, snaps and snarls and blows out some brains with a joylessness that is thoroughly enjoyable. It's like he never left.

(2012-05-07 00:08)

EDGE OF DARKNESS !

This review is from: Edge of Darkness (DVD) SAVE YOUR MONEY AND RENT THIS BEFORE YOU BUY IT ! I LIKE MEL ALOT BUT THIS MOVIE WAS DRAWN OUT, BORING, AND LEFT WAY TO MANY GAPS ! IF YOU THINK THIS IS A ACTION FLICK THINK AGAIN ! THE ACTION IS THERE FOR A SECOND OR TO AND GONE AGAIN ! IF YOU LIKE THESE REVENGE MOVIES. BUY " TAKEN " OR " DEATH SENTENCE " BOTH ARE WAY BETTER FLICKS. SORRY MEL YOU CAN DO WAY BETTER THAN THIS ONE !

tha-13 (2012-05-06 12:06)

Gibson is the John Ford of our times

Gibson has won the most difficult of prices: our trust in his honesty.We believe in his integrity and accept therefore his human condition -Gibson is a man, a sinner, a braveheart and a fighter - and it is allwritten in his fac ial expressions. He is like the men of Peckinpah,the lonely riders of John Ford. I like this movie, not because it ismasterly crafted - it looks at times like a TV-production on the BBC -but because the story is about Mel Gibson and the virtues that buildthe western civilization: a man and his heart - and it isn't easy tofollow your heart, it is often the hardest road, because it wants truthand justice - and you often end up alone and battered when you takethat path - like the main character of Gibson in these movie, likeGibson in "Braveheart", like "Apocalypto" and most of all like once onCalvary -"The passion of the Christ"!

(2012-05-06 15:19)

Edge of Darkness

This review is from: Edge of Darkness (DVD) Not one of his better movies. Being one of Gibson's first in front of the camera in a while this was not up to par with his acting in the past. Could have passed this one up.

Scarecrow-88 (2012-05-06 00:23)

Edge of Darkness

A strong central performance from Mel Gibson highlights this crimethriller with political intrigue. Gibson stars as a Boston detective,Thomas Craven, whose daughter, Emma(Bojana Novakovic), returns home andis soon gunned down in cold blood right in front of him. He laterfinds, as he searches deeper, that Emma may've had ties to a conspiracygroup who were unraveling criminal activities at a nuclear researchfacility for which she worked. Danny Huston is Bennett, head over theNorthmoore facility in Massachuesettes, and Ray Winstone is a shadowygovernmental "clean up" specialist, Jedburgh, who sees to it that thepublic and police are unable to tie loose ends which would lead back tothe organizations meant to remain secret. Thallium poisoning, foreignproducts used to create weapons, crooked senator, corrupt governmententities, and murdered political activists all tie into one man'sjourney to find the ones responsible for the cruel murder of hisbeloved daughter. An aging Mel Gibson, laying on a thick Baastenaccent, hasn't lost any of his charisma/intensity portraying a morallyupright policeman who just wants to know the truth and get the bastardswho assassinated the daughter he so cherishes. I think the true powerof the movie is how memories are visualized of Emma as a child toCraven, recalling to us each and every time what's most important, thather death should not be in vain. Edge of Darkness has an X-Files typeconspiracy plot with Gibson's cop pulled into it as he comes acrosscertain individuals(frightened for their lives)and shady characterswhich lend credibility to the idea that a company, protected bybureaucratic power, could be committing unspeakable crimes andeliminating anyone who threatened to reveal what they were up to. Themovie is, at times, startlingly violent because of hired guns willingto get rid of those who know too much and how Craven must defendhimself when his life is in danger. I think Gibson's scenes withWinstone are the most interesting as both men work on opposite sidesyet find an odd friendship developing between them. Huston has a knackfor portraying corporate slime, the kind of guiltless vermin who wieldtheir control and influence without conscience or compassion, with noqualms in killing anyone that represents a possible harm to hisposition, perfectly capable of ordering executions. I think the onlyliability for this movie might be it's overlength. Gibson's star power,however, lends this movie major support..and, when he faces downscumbags, his eyes, piercing, conveying pure emotion, it's hard not toroot for the guy.

Jon Death (2012-05-05 20:50)

Wow it's like a bum off the street wrote/directed it!

This is a really bad film selling tickets with promises in theadvertisements it is unable to live up to. You get one bad scene afteranother that seem as though an 8th grader with an overactiveimagination wrote and directed them. The opening is solid but as soon as we get our lead death, everythingstarts to smell a little funny. By the time Mel is subduing his firstlead, the stench can no longer be ignored. Finally upon getting solidanswers, the odor of this movie scumming up the air is too much tobear!This is a really U N I N T E L L I G E N T movie! The circumstances ofdeath are beyond convenient, they're pure fantasy. The action scenestry to be clever with that chain reaction feel and in doing so, it'slike watching some stupid kid trying to convince you when he jumped upin the air, he was in fact flying for those 2 seconds just likesuperman. The potential was there, the directing and writing just got arrogantand relied on the viewer to be for lack of better terms, just plainstupid and naive-void of intelligence and objectionable thinking. Noteven worth it for the action scenes or if you're a Mel Gibson fan.

FilmBlotDotCom (2012-05-05 03:09)

Average at best, despite how you feel about Mel.

Edge of Darkness had a lot going for it. It was Mel Gibson's first leadrole since 2002's Signs. It was the director of Casino Royale (arguablyone of the top bond films) and it was written by the guy behind TheDeparted and Kingdom of Heaven. So I was fairly excited to see thisfilm but it just didn't live up to its potential.First off, Mel Gibson is amazing, I don't care what anyone says; he's agreat actor. Sure, he said some messed up stuff when he was drivingdrunk, but who hasn't said some weird things while they were drinking.I've never been the guy the judge actors/actresses performances basedon their personal lives, I'd watch a Lindsay Lohan movie if it didn'tlook like a train wreck, I would never say no because she's kind of amess. I've always been a huge fan of Tom Cruise, and I even saw theOprah thing live when it happened, which isn't a coincidence reallybecause I love Oprah! Anyways, Mel Gibson > most Hollywood actors thesedays. And even though there is nothing special about Edge of Darkness,he does a great job in the roll of the "Nothing to Lose" father hellbent on revenge. God I hate using the phrase "Hell Bent", such anoverused douche line. But then again so is douche… Maybe I'm just adouche hell bent on being a shitty reviewer.The Story being Edge of Darkness is nothing new, not even close, yousaw it 5 years ago in the Constant Gardner, and probably 80 timesbetween now and then. A loved one gets murdered, and then the guy orgirl tracks down the murder unraveling a huge mystery involving a hugecorporate conspiracy. But there are some small moments that set thisapart from other movies, my heart pounded a few times and I squealedlike a little woman once or twice. All in all it was a decent watch butyou definitely don't want to purchase it, but if your like me and youhead to the movie store every Tuesday to rent a new release then thisis definitely your best choice since this is the week of Daybreakersand Legion which are both unsatisfactory on a grand scale.