![]() As far as adaptations come, Edge of Darkness is unique in that it turned a previously political thriller into more of an emotional drama that undeniably pulls the viewer in by tugging at their heartstrings.Ĭampbell’s adaptation also features similar themes of its source material, such as nuclear threat, government conspiracy, and impending doom. In the making of documentary included on the Blu-ray, Monahan explains that he chose to focus on the emotional aspects of the story because he himself is a father and felt that audiences would connect more strongly to the picture because of that relatable theme. When screenwriters William Monahan and Andrew Bovell adapted the mini-series to the big screen, they chose to focus more strongly on the emotional and genre aspects of the story, as its political indictment of 1980s Great Britain would not work for a contemporary Hollywood blockbuster. The original Edge of Darkness mini-series was far more politically charged and primed for British audiences than its big screen adaptation. No offense to Taken, which is a fantastic action film as well, but Edge of Darkness is the kind of dramatic thriller for active viewers, not passive ones. It’s more of a mature thinking man’s thriller that rewards patient viewers than a non-stop thrill ride for short minded action junkies. Whereas Taken and its counterparts are fast paced and action packed, Edge of Darkness is a slow burner with bursts of violence along the lines of a Sergio Leone film. While it is true that the film does share numerous similarities, such as a determined father’s quest to avenge his daughter, a male protagonist over age 50, and bloody action, Edge of Darkness could not be more different, stylistically and tonally. When critics and audiences went to see Edge of Darkness at the time of its release, most expected an action packed film along the lines of Taken, a film with a similar plot. As Tom speaks with various friends and politicians related to Emma, he comes to question those around him and harrows in on those responsible for his daughter’s death. While the police assume that Tom was the target of the attack, Tom comes to suspect that his daughter was indeed the target after he realizes that she uncovered a nuclear conspiracy related to her work, Northmoor, a research and development facility. The film is also worth checking out in order to get excited for Campbell’s upcoming actioner, The Foreigner, his first in five years and his second with Goldeneye-alum Pierce Brosnan.Īfter Boston police detective, Thomas Craven (Mel Gibson), picks up his daughter, Emma (Bojana Novakovic), from the airport and brings her back to his home, tragedy strikes when an armed assailant guns her down. While unfairly derided upon its release by critics as a dull retread on Pierre Morel’s Taken, Campbell’s Edge of Darkness is one of the strongest entries in the now over saturated sub-genre of action films starring actors over 50, which ironically was popularized by Taken itself. Based off of the BBC television mini-series of the same name that Campbell also directed, Edge of Darkness is a mature thinking man’s thriller with a strong leading performance from action icon Mel Gibson ( Mad Max) and occasional bursts of violence that leave an impact on the viewer. However, I want to bring attention to one of Campbell’s most grossly underrated pictures, 2010’s Edge of Darkness. While in no regards a perfect director, Campbell is one of cinema’s hidden gems, a filmmaker who repeatedly pops up throughout time and contributes to the genre in a significant way. ![]() Unfortunately, some of the director’s films have not been entirely successful, as he is also responsible for stinkers like 2005’s The Legend of Zorro and 2011’s Green Lantern. Campbell also directed the immensely practical and adventurous Zorro reboot, 1998’s The Mask of Zorro. In a sense, Campbell is the action equivalent of Wes Craven in that he rebooted a genre twice within his own lifetime, much the same way that Craven rebooted the slasher genre twice with 1984’s A Nightmare on Elm Street and 1996’s Scream. The director is well regarded amongst action fans for pulling off the rare feat of rebooting the James Bond franchise not simply once with 1995’s Goldeneye, but twice with 2006’s Casino Royale. Although he has only directed a small batch of films over the course of several decades, most of his action pictures are outstanding. Martin Campbell is one of cinema’s underrated directors. Sanders, Caterina Scorsone, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Denis O’Hare, Damian Young, David Aaron Baker, Caterina Scorsone, Frank Grillo, Wayne Duvall, Wayne Duvall, Gabrielle Popa, Paul Sparks “Edge of Darkness” Japanese Theatrical PosterĬast: Mel Gibson, Ray Winstone, Danny Huston, Bojana Novakovic, Shawn Roberts, Jay O. ![]()
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