Gibson film leaves youth in the dark
Film pick of the week: "Edge of Darkness"
By Michael Chiapinni
Issue date: 2/5/10 Section: Focus
If anything that's come out in the last month is indicative of the rest of the year, 2010 cinematically sucks.
This week's viewing is possibly the worst film I've seen in the last five years. I know, I know-week three and I haven't said anything positive yet. I really don't think I'm that hard to please, but there hasn't been a decent release since December's "Avatar." And so it goes.
"Edge of Darkness," directed by Martin Campbell ("Casino Royal," "The Mask of Zorro"), was purportedly the comeback of Mel Gibson ("Lethal Weapon," "Signs"). Instead, I think it was the metaphorical equivalent of shooting a horse with a broken leg. I enjoy him much more when he's drunkenly sexually harassing police officers.
The film's plot is simple enough: Gibson plays Thomas Craven, a Boston homicide detective who begins investigating his daughter's murder. This leads him into her complex secret life of activism against political corruption.
It's the perfect action flick, thematically comparable to 2008's "Taken." I didn't have high hopes that I'd gain a greater understanding of the human condition or man's constant struggle, I just expected to be entertained. The film failed admirably.
This is incredibly disappointing after Campbell's "Casino Royal." Now, that's a film even the most pretentious English major can become engrossed in. "Edge of Darkness" is 20 steps backward.
What's wrong with this film? Here's a hint: I was the youngest person by 40 years in the theater. The film does nothing but appeal to the bitter, paranoid elderly of America. I know this because Ethel and Fred in the row in front of me chuckled at every terrible conservative joke in a movie that made me feel embarrassed to be an American.
The film manages to roll revenge, vigilantism, corrupt politicians, terrorists, exploitative businesses, conspiracy theories and crooked environmentalists into a two-hour film. I remember hearing the phrase "jihadist dirty bombs" somewhere near the end before I slipped into a complete coma of disinterest. I think my Republican grandmother was a ghost writer for the script.
This week's viewing is possibly the worst film I've seen in the last five years. I know, I know-week three and I haven't said anything positive yet. I really don't think I'm that hard to please, but there hasn't been a decent release since December's "Avatar." And so it goes.
"Edge of Darkness," directed by Martin Campbell ("Casino Royal," "The Mask of Zorro"), was purportedly the comeback of Mel Gibson ("Lethal Weapon," "Signs"). Instead, I think it was the metaphorical equivalent of shooting a horse with a broken leg. I enjoy him much more when he's drunkenly sexually harassing police officers.
The film's plot is simple enough: Gibson plays Thomas Craven, a Boston homicide detective who begins investigating his daughter's murder. This leads him into her complex secret life of activism against political corruption.
It's the perfect action flick, thematically comparable to 2008's "Taken." I didn't have high hopes that I'd gain a greater understanding of the human condition or man's constant struggle, I just expected to be entertained. The film failed admirably.
This is incredibly disappointing after Campbell's "Casino Royal." Now, that's a film even the most pretentious English major can become engrossed in. "Edge of Darkness" is 20 steps backward.
What's wrong with this film? Here's a hint: I was the youngest person by 40 years in the theater. The film does nothing but appeal to the bitter, paranoid elderly of America. I know this because Ethel and Fred in the row in front of me chuckled at every terrible conservative joke in a movie that made me feel embarrassed to be an American.
The film manages to roll revenge, vigilantism, corrupt politicians, terrorists, exploitative businesses, conspiracy theories and crooked environmentalists into a two-hour film. I remember hearing the phrase "jihadist dirty bombs" somewhere near the end before I slipped into a complete coma of disinterest. I think my Republican grandmother was a ghost writer for the script.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Brian McCumsey
posted 2/06/10 @ 2:49 AM EST
Your assessment of the film will keep mature college students from seeing a wonderful film. The pacing is slow but never boring. Please give this film a chance--Gibson delivers a strong performance in this character driven drama. (Continued…)
Dum Youngon
posted 2/10/10 @ 2:24 PM EST
At least you were honest in admitting that you were too stupid to get it. Maybe you should learn something from your republican grandmother as it sounds like you are another socialist snot nosed spoiled brat. (Continued…)
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