His return to the big screen as a leading man comes in this Martin Campbell-directed remake of the acclaimed 1985 BBC miniseries of the same name. Edge of Darkness stars Gibson as Thomas Craven, a veteran cop investigating the murder of his daughter, which leads him into a murky world of conspiracy.
Even if this were not a remake, the plot hardly wins any prizes for originality. Similar tales of vengeance and cover-ups have been told and re-told many times before, and fewer have been better than 1999′s The Limey. With Steven Soderbergh’s picture still a relatively-recent release, Edge of Darkness has big shoes to fill. However, with Gibson in the lead role and two-time Bond franchise saviour Martin Campbell at the helm, it has the tools to fill said shoes to the brim.
The trailer suggests Gibson has channeled the raw edginess brilliantly let loose in Lethal Weapon but so poorly utilised in another revenge remake of his, 1999′s Payback, into a restrained yet simmering man on the path of justice. It suggests it will be his best performance in years, and will remind everyone of what they were missing.
With Danny Huston and Ray Winstone in support, Jim Cameron can keep his Na’vi, I’ll take cold, hard revenge please.
Edge of Darkness
Director: Martin Campbell
Cast: Mel Gibson, Ray Winstone, Danny Huston, Bojana Novakovic
Release Date: January 29th, 2010
Rating: TBC
October 20, 2009
#1
I too am totally down with this one and the return of Mel. He has definitely “leathered” since we last saw him on screen. I have always been a fan of “revenge” films so I love seeing the baddies getting hit when they least expect it….and hard.
I’m looking forward to Law Abiding Citizen…sure he goes a little above and beyond he “bad-guys” but it still looks cool. I’m kicking myself because I haven’t seen Taken yet, so I’m starting a list of “revenge” flicks that I want to check out. And thanks to Mel I have another addition to the list.
October 20, 2009
#2
Taken is fantastic, it does exactly what it says on the tin, definitely check that out.
If you’re into revenge flicks (and come on, who isn’t??) you should also try and get to see Harry Brown, which is a Michael Caine release coming out in November. I’m unsure of how wide a release it’s getting in the states, but think of it as a harder-edged, British Gran Torino. It should be brilliant.
October 22, 2009
#3
Love Taken. Great film. Its nice to see Gibson step back into the acting saddle again.
October 29, 2009
#4
Yes definitely, long may it continue!
October 30, 2009
#5
Yes definitely, long may it continue!