Evil corporations get a little more corporation-y

February 1, 2010 by Eric Loy 

Hollywood continues its DOA entrance into 2010 with the gloriously mediocre thriller “Edge of Darkness” starring Mel Gibson.  But considering “Avatar’s” continuing reign at the top of the box office, intellectually apathetic audiences will likely recognize “Edge” to be what the doctor ordered.

“Edge” opens with the homecoming of Emma Craven (Bojana Novakovic), daughter to veteran Boston detective Thomas Craven (Gibson).  Emma takes sick immediately, exhibiting symptoms that ominous soundtrack chords tell us are definitely not the flu.  Before Tom can rush her to the hospital, Emma is gunned down on the front steps by a masked man.

What’s first thought to be a failed attempt on Tom’s life quickly reveals itself to be something much more sinister.  A handgun, a radiation detector, a shady employer – all clues pointing in the direction of pure corporate-y evil.  (That’s Gibson’s cue to start breaking faces.)

A grizzled and gnarled Gibson, back in his first starring role since “Signs” in ’02, holds the movie together with his admirably intense turn as the nothing-to-lose cop.  Even the Boston accent passes for believable.  Fine Bri’ish actor Ray Winstone provides some added intrigue as a clandestine corporate cleaner who isn’t as one-dimensional as he seems.  Danny Huston avoids complicating matters by playing the evil CEO with the bearing of a James-Bondian supervillain, possibly under the guidance of two-time Bond director Martin Campbell.

The first 20 minutes of the film are the most effective.  It’s by-the-book thriller/mystery fare, but director Campbell presents it confidently and without frills, allowing the audience to piece together the puzzle along with Gibson.  Unfortunately, the following 90 minutes plays out exactly as it seems it should:  the bad guys are really bad, the conspiracy really is as big as it seems, and Gibson’s one-man war is really noble and stuff.  It’s one of those movies where, in the end, the details don’t matter and damn the believability.

Originally an acclaimed TV miniseries in 1985, “Edge” fails to adapt the drawn-out mystery and suspense into an equally effective two-hour package.  What results is not a classic thriller but a Gibson revenge flick (similar but equal to “Payback,” “Mad Max,” “The Patriot,” or hell, even “Braveheart”) with few highlights aside from Gibson being intimidating or people gettin’ killed.

Despite the drawbacks, “Edge” features just enough guns, blood and bad-assery to pass for $10 entertainment.  Or you can always hold out for its eventual Tuesday-night premiere on TNT in a couple of years.