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2010’s first real thriller, or so it’s billed, Edge of Darkness, is a fairly lackluster movie that’s missing some of the thrills. Mel Gibson stars as Tony Craven, a Boston detective whose daughter is shot on his front porch in one of the first scenes in the movie. Directed by Martin Campbell, (Casino Royal) the film lacks the excitement that should be expected from him. |
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Immediately after his daughter’s death, Craven believes that the assassin must have been targeting him, and shot his daughter instead of him. As he begins to seek answers, in hopes of understanding his daughter more, he begins to unravel a conspiracy/mystery that reaches through corporations, police officers, and the federal government that explains why his daughter was killed.
The main problem with this movie is that as exciting as it tries to be -- it is fairly boring. I think that the movie was even bored with itself in the middle, as it drudged through a variety of small characters that each contributed a small piece of the answer to the puzzle. These characters become completely unnecessary when Craven is given a video his daughter recorded for him in the event of her untimely death. Aside from Craven himself, we are never really given any other characters to understand or digest.
Even though it was fairly boring, this movie does have some glimmers of brilliance. An assault on one of the bit characters is so unexpected and exciting, that it made nearly everyone in the theatre jump. Certain other scenes of excessive violence are reminiscent of Scorsese’s Departed, and while they are fantastic, with unexpected twists, they really don’t fit with the little we know of the characters involved.
Basically, this movie is an adequate movie that is very forgettable. It will quickly fade from the conversation and recollection because it is not creative or unique. I’m definitely not going to tell you to seek this movie out, but it’s not your worst option either. 2.5 stars.
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