"The media wants to see you, Tom." This line, uttered to the first lead character that Mel Gibson has played since 2002's Signs, might as well be talking to the troubled actor/director directly.

Gibson plays Thomas Craven, a hard-core Boston detective with a daughter that's his only shining light. When that light gets shot outside his apartment, he teeters to the edge of... well, you get the idea. He doesn't have to speak, the look in his eyes swears revenge for him. That's when Gibson, in Dirty Harry style, takes the law into his own hands.

The singular thrill to be had in this movie is to watch Mad Mel lay into the unsuspecting goons of a corporate cover up. He plays chicken with a speeding car, whipping out his pistol and taking it down without breaking eye contact. It's odd to see Gibson more troubled onscreen than he is in his controversial private life, but he does it here. He also manages to be this movie's shining black light, which is why people will see it. From the hard-edged looks to the brutal shakedowns, he plays nothing-to-lose like he's got nothing to lose.

The rest of the movie pales in the wake of his sub-par tour de force. The plot is murky and hard to tread through. People who aren't die-hard fans of Gibson will want to steer clear. The male revenge fantasy that's been done to death recently (hello, Taken) combines with the current American hatred and fear of corporations and government to make one sub par pile of fearful garbage.

Pandering to American anxiety in order to score box office acclaim is always a sign of desperate film making, as is hiding behind the leading man. Director Martin Campbell does both of these things, and mixes together genres without knowing what makes them work. As a result, none of it really does. Mr. Campbell, who did an excellent revitalization of the James Bond franchise in 2006's Casino Royale and also directed the British mini-series that this film is based upon, is a capable director who had to make this a shortened, formulaic Hollywood "event."

The R rating does help give the film some skuzzy, shock value-level entertainment, though. Repeated viewings are out of the question, though, even for big fans of Mr. Gibson. If you're looking for an excuse to not see Avatar for a 5th time, then you may find solace in this movie. Be warned, though, that there was a clear reason it was released in the months when Hollywood dumps its trash.

Grade: D

By Matt Erspamer

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