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Edge Of Darkness

***

Stars: Mel Gibson, Ray Winstone, Danny Huston, Bojana Novakovic

Director: Martin Campbell

Rated: R

Runtime: 117 minutes

Drama/thriller

Mel Gibson takes on his first leading role since 2002's Signs for this intrigue filled neo noir.

He plays Boston homicide detective Thomas Craven, who witnesses his beloved daughter Emma (Bojana Novakovic) being shot dead on his doorstep.

Everyone assumes the veteran cop was the intended target, so driven by guilt, heartache and a thirst for revenge, he begins hunting down the killer.

As his investigation continues, he discovers Emma was the real target and had a secret life - one immersed in corruption, conspiracies and corporate cover-ups.

Edge Of Darkness is helmed by Casino Royale and GoldenEye director Martin Campbell and co-written by William Monahan, who won an Oscar for The Departed.

With these credentials and Gibson in the lead, it should be much better than it is.

But the movie gets increasingly far-fetched and confusing, although the action scenes are good.

It is ultra-violent and the body count mounts up quickly.

Gibson looks old and haggard throughout - he's a far cry from the Mad Max action hero of old.

His Boston accent is also dubious at times but he still gives a convincing turn as a man with nothing left to lose.

The other highlight is the ever excellent Ray Winstone as shadowy government operative Jedburgh.

Watch if you liked: Taken, Payback.

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