Edge of Darkness, a breath of bloody fresh air!

Its official Martin Campbell can pretty much make any type of movie and I am going to love it. He has made my two favorite Bond films(Goldeneye, Casino Royale), and several other great films(The Saint, Beyond Borders). Paired once again with one of the best cinematographers in the business, Phil Meheux, Campbell comes through with perfect camera work, compelling characters, and solid directing. I had lost my faith in the modern cop thriller crime drama genre. After a slew of bad and generic cut and paste dramas in the last few years its good to see a breath of fresh air on the screen. Edge of Darkness is deep, intense, and a ride of mystery and twists.

Thomas Craven(Mel Gibson) is a Boston detective who’s daughter, is in town visiting. An attempt is made on Thomas life, the suspect ends up killing Cravens daughter instead of Him. The situation may not be what it seems, as Craven uncovers clues that lead to much deeper darker business and political matters.

The set up for the story is generic yes, but its the events that unfold afterwards that lead Edge of Darkness to be a above average and well thought out Crime thriller. I cant say much because I don't want to give it away, but Edge of darkness has twists, turns, and some great performances. Mel gives his best since Braveheart as a troubled father who lost his daughter and is keeping in his emotions only so he may solve this case as quickly as possible.

There is so much to say about this movie. Everything in this film minus a few plot holes and minor pacing issues in the second act, which 90% of films suffer from these days, is great! The pacing suffers from what we like to call uncertainty. We don't know what is happening and Campbell develops several plot points at once so we are left to be thinking all over the place while trying to follow the main plot. Not bad, the writers are clever and original. What else would you expect from the writers of The Departed?

Because I don't want to ramble on and on about how great of a movie this is, I'm going to summarize! Great Editing and Cinematography mixed in with solid performances, and a great story. Go see this film, unless of course you don't like bloody brutal movies. Because that is exactly what this movies is. Enjoy!

-Matt-