4 years and 2 DUIs later, Gibson returns to the screen

Following legal, family and alcohol problems amidst a lengthy hiatus from his 30-year film career, Mel Gibson returns to the action that once made him famous. Showing not a hint of rust, Gibson is triumphant as the grieving, cold-blooded father seeking revenge on his daughter’s murderers.

In his first leading role since “Signs,” he plays Boston cop Thomas Craven, but don’t be fooled by the last name. He and his daughter Emma Craven (Bojana Novakovich) are anything but.

Emma comes home for a surprise visit and is clearly not well. She’s vomiting with nosebleeds and just before her father can rush her to the hospital she is blown away by a shotgun in her front doorway.

With a heavy heart, Thomas begins a ruthless search for those responsible. This is where Gibson excels because only a seasoned actor can effectively meld sorrow and kick-ass. His search leads him to Northmoor, a nuclear research facility where Emma worked, and its nefarious leader, Jack Bennett (Danny Huston). Uncovering a web of political deceit that reaches the Senate, Thomas abuses his police powers and takes no prisoners in pursuit of justice.

Based on the 1985 BBC six-part mini-series, “The Edge of Darkness” is a convoluted conspiracy theory meets action movie. It’s as if William Wallace traveled to the 21st century and became a tough-nosed detective but retained his penchant for killing.
Mel Gibson wisely chose his return-to-film role. A more profound character would have seemed like a lark, but his aggressive Thomas Craven reminds us that while he has had his troubles in reality, the man can still act.