- Joined
- Apr 1, 2005
- Messages
- 578
- Reaction score
- 42
SUMMARY: Mel is back. If you enjoyed his past action / shoot-em ups, this film will return him to your good graces. While it is (IMO) darker than his usual fare, this could be the film that successfully returns him to the action genre. 8)
Gibson plays a Boston police detective whose daughter has come to town for a visit. When she is murdered on the front porch of his house (with him standing next to her) the initial thought is that he was the (revenge) target. Gibson quickly realizes that she was the target. Apparently his daughter worked at a "research facility" in Mass with some "interesting" ties to classified weapons research. Suddenly it seems as if the old cold war may be back. Lots of spooks, references to the military industrial complex with updates to reflect our current fear of terrorists with nukes. The rest of the film is Gibson learning the truth, who did it and getting even.
The Good: Lots of traditional "Mel" action. Think of his new character as a darker, much more somber (and less crazy) Martin Riggs. Like his previous character, this one has a military background and a long police (service) record. Think of this film as a cross between the "Lethal Weapon" series (without the humor) and the old Charlie Bronson "Death Wish" movies. He knows what he can and cannot do and more importantly what he can and cannot get away with (in the film). The bad guys quickly realize that they made a mistake in how they executed the killing of Gibson's daughter and try to cover it up by "dealing with" (as in trying to kill) Gibson.
The Bad: This really is a dark film, especially with regards to the topic of losing a child to a violent act right in front of the parent. While this isn't "bad" in my traditional way of reporting, I wasn't prepared for the scene and admit to flinching a bit when it occurred. The utter despair and emotional shattering of Gibson's character turning into seeking knowledge / getting revenge adds a layer to the plot and explains how Gibson's character descends into "darkness". Still, there are several scenes in this film which I would not take children to see.
The Ugly: None in my traditional sense. This film is what it is... a dark, violent, mystery and action filled shoot-em up. It has nothing to apologize for. You know very well what you are getting into from the previews.
Your mileage may vary.
Regards,
Ltstanfo
Gibson plays a Boston police detective whose daughter has come to town for a visit. When she is murdered on the front porch of his house (with him standing next to her) the initial thought is that he was the (revenge) target. Gibson quickly realizes that she was the target. Apparently his daughter worked at a "research facility" in Mass with some "interesting" ties to classified weapons research. Suddenly it seems as if the old cold war may be back. Lots of spooks, references to the military industrial complex with updates to reflect our current fear of terrorists with nukes. The rest of the film is Gibson learning the truth, who did it and getting even.
The Good: Lots of traditional "Mel" action. Think of his new character as a darker, much more somber (and less crazy) Martin Riggs. Like his previous character, this one has a military background and a long police (service) record. Think of this film as a cross between the "Lethal Weapon" series (without the humor) and the old Charlie Bronson "Death Wish" movies. He knows what he can and cannot do and more importantly what he can and cannot get away with (in the film). The bad guys quickly realize that they made a mistake in how they executed the killing of Gibson's daughter and try to cover it up by "dealing with" (as in trying to kill) Gibson.
The Bad: This really is a dark film, especially with regards to the topic of losing a child to a violent act right in front of the parent. While this isn't "bad" in my traditional way of reporting, I wasn't prepared for the scene and admit to flinching a bit when it occurred. The utter despair and emotional shattering of Gibson's character turning into seeking knowledge / getting revenge adds a layer to the plot and explains how Gibson's character descends into "darkness". Still, there are several scenes in this film which I would not take children to see.
The Ugly: None in my traditional sense. This film is what it is... a dark, violent, mystery and action filled shoot-em up. It has nothing to apologize for. You know very well what you are getting into from the previews.
Your mileage may vary.
Regards,
Ltstanfo
