Edge Of Darkness

Martin Campbell is an assured hand when it comes to this directing lark, twice being entrusted to re-boot the Bond franchise and coming out smelling of roses each time. Therefore, it would seem that adapting his own mid-1980’s TV thriller Edge of Darkness into a feature film would be a shoo-in for another successful outing for Campbell . Unfortunately, much like State Of Play, Edge of Darkness proves that cutting down a successful and well respected TV series to two hours of coherence is a nigh-on impossible task. The first problem stems from the fact that the original was broadcast at a time when the cold war and nuclear weapons were seen as a daily threat. Though the threat is still there, and though this film version runs along slightly different lines, it just isn’t as pertinent as it once was. The second problem is the plot. Though it starts well and is intriguing enough, it soon becomes completely weighed down by all the plot twists and secrets it tries to convey and ends up being just a great lump of Swiss cheese full of many many holes, some quite ludicrous. This film is notable for Mel Gibson’s return from behind the camera for quite some years. He plays Thomas Craven, a Boston cop, who begins an investigation to discover why an attempt (which still has disastrous consequences for himself) is made on his life at the start of the film. Gibson is fine as Craven, though his Boston accent is somewhat suspect. Decent support is provided from Ray Winston and Danny Huston slimes it up as only he can. Nothing can save them though from the evermore confusing screenplay, which is briefly interrupted at times by some shocking and pretty unnecessary violence. The best part of the film though is totally unintentional. Gibson’s fight with a character early in the film utilises the worst stunt double in recent film history. Frankly it’s hilarious and brought to my mind the stunt double parody scene from I’m Gonna Git You Sucka. However, any enjoyment you may have got from this scene will have long dissipated by the ending in which Campbell, perhaps to tie everything up in a neat bundle and possible receiving advice from Metallica, can do nothing more than “Kill ‘em all”.

The OC Film Sting Final Verdict
Despite threatening to break out into something more, the film never really gets the pulse racing and ends up a car crash of plot machinations. Rating: 4/10.