Mel Gibson Returns to Form in Darkness

Mel Gibson returns to familiar territory in revenge thriller Edge of Darkness, in which he plays a Boston detective unraveling the mystery of his daughter's death, and critics are generally pleased:

• Claudia Puig, USA Today : "Not only is Edge of Darkness Gibson's best work in a decade—a big improvement over such drivel as What Women Want—it is a well-crafted thriller."
• Stephanie Zacharek, Salon: "Gibson's character here is a man crazed with grief. But it looks as if Gibson is just using that as an excuse to act crazy, period. The film's violence is bold and unapologetic, but at times Gibson looks a little too comfortable with it all, kicking ass right and left with unhinged glee."

• Luke Y. Thompson, E! Online: "With Clint Eastwood seemingly retiring from the acting game, it's good to still have at least one aging, scowling badass who isn't afraid to unleash the righteous thunder."
• Chris Hewitt, St. Paul Pioneer Press: "Gibson nicely underplays the role of the father/cop/extremely crabby guy, but then why wouldn't he? He's done it about a dozen times before."

(More Mel Gibson stories.)