The best thing about co-scripter Monaghan’s (“The Departed”) emotive slab of espionage is probably what it holds the least of: scenes in which a mysterious merc by moniker of Jedburgh (Ray Winstone) and ‘Bah-sten’ homicide dick Thomas Craven (Gibson) exchange one-liners and booze.
Played with the nonchalant malevolence of a starving Kodiak, Winstone, like said famished bear wandering the street for want of better vittles, seems to do little other than add a fine aftertaste to this piece of corporate intrigue. Which is sad because, despite a few sappy flashbacks and a low-pressure conspiracy fueling the mix, the movie isn’t half bad. In fact, it’s nice to see Gibson out and about again. And though he’ll do his fair share of killing, it’s similarly pleasant to see our favorite Jew-bashing rogue cop using his extended leave of absence (can you believe the last movie he acted in was “The Singing Detective”?!?) to propel those capacities he has as an actor in ways that don’t just involve a Glock or Beretta.
That said, the movie has enough clever little nuts and bolts lying around to prop you up at just the right moments. And luckily it outmatches the cheesier moments that require your patience. So once the dormant chemistry between Gibson and his old pal vengeance has burnt long enough to get your interest back into gear, and the story has matured beyond its transparent conspiratorial hobnobbing, you start to appreciate the gutsy, non-cerebral approach to his wrathful hunger. At times I was desperately worried that it was going to be another diabolically preachy finger-wagging morality tale but I found the filmmakers pragmatism winning out instead.
Though it all begins with a rather standard death in the family (put lightly and with the omission of a sawed-off shotgun), you know, given Detective Craven’s mean wrinkles and the badge he keeps stashed right beside his homey blue-collar fridge, that whomever was responsible for the ‘malfeasance’ is about to get their necks caught up in the very strings they are pulling. But don’t let that little promise of bloodshed fool you because the movie is, for all intents and purposes, very minimalist in scope.
Just know this, if you ever plan to be murdered by a government-sanctioned weapons manufacturer, then get adopted by Mel Gibson. He’ll know what to do when you’re gone.
See if: A.) You’ve wondered what “Michael Clayton” meets “Death Wish” would look like. B.) You liked “The Patriot” C.) You think Danny Huston plays one kick-ass bad guy.
Avoid if: A.) You’ve never wondered what "Michael Clayton" meets "Death Wish" would look like. B.) You hated “The Patriot” C.) You don’t think Danny Huston plays one kick-ass bad guy.
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