I discovered something not long into viewing the new thriller Edge of Darkness: I've missed Mel Gibson.

Gone from starring-role films since 2002's Signs, Mel didn't have a great time during the aughties. They started out pretty good, but then something went wrong. While his 2004 directorial effort The Passion of the Christ went on to gross over $600 million worldwide, the controversial film left Mel extremely rich and emotionally ... conflicted? I can only theorize as to why his life, drinking habits, and nearly 30-year marriage all went kablooey in the wake of this gargantuan success, but kablooey they went. (Am I the only one to notice that in all of Mel's post-kablooey “damage-control” interviews, the one topic he vehemently refused to discuss was his father? Just an observation.)

But I digress.

Edge of Darkness, based on a 1985 BBC series of the same name, is the latest effort from director Martin Campbell (GoldenEye, The Mask of Zorro, Casino Royale) - Campbell also directed the TV version. The film involves Boston homicide detective Thomas Craven (Mel Gibson), whom we first meet as he his picking up his 20-something daughter Emma (newcomer Bojana Novakovic) for a long overdue visit. As seen in the trailer (posted below), Emma isn't at her father's house very long before she is gunned down by a masked assailant. The rest of the familiar-but-gripping tale has Tom Craven hunting down his daughter's killer. As the culprit isn't inordinately hard to figure out, I won't give away anything more.

While we've seen this story before - hell, while we've seen Mel Gibson in this story before - it is still refreshing to see a markedly older Mel returning to form. Yes, the age lines are deeper, and the hair is thinner (and is it just me or is Mel getting shorter?), but the acting chops are still there in spades. From tenderness, to crushing sorrow, to controlled rage, Mel gives a very affecting performance. Especially in scenes where he interacts with hallucinations of his daughter as a little girl - love that “shaving” scene. It is these little touches which distinguish Edge of Darkness from 2008's similarly-themed Taken with Liam Neeson - a film which I liked a great deal, but did not touch me emotionally like this film did. In fact, where Taken relied heavily on bad-ass action, Edge of Darkness is really more of a drama. Those expecting otherwise may be disappointed, but shouldn't be.

Excellent support is offered by Ray Winstone as a man who ... oh, but that would be giving too much away - I'll just say his performance is one that keeps the viewer guessing. Danny Huston is appropriately slimy as a corporate CEO; Shawn Roberts is tweakingly paranoid as Emma's boyfriend; and Bojana Novakovic (seen briefly in Sam Raimi's Drag Me to Hell) makes a very strong impression as Mel's doomed daughter. I see big things ahead for this charming, talented, and lovely Serbian actress - check out my Examiner profile of her here.

Director Campbell - whose Casino Royale was a kinetic masterpiece - has slowed down his sensibilities with this film. The action here is sparse, but each time it comes, it is as shocking as a slap in the face ... you know, in a good way.

Not unlike a cross between Ransom and Payback (with a dash of Conspiracy Theory), Edge of Darkness is rewarding little revenge thriller, whose familiarity is well-compensated for by the presence its gone-too-long star. Mel Gibson can do this kind of role in his sleep. Thank goodness he was awake for this one.

It's great to have you back, Mel. Here's hoping this film is harbinger of better things to come.

GRADE: B

Check out the trailer below ... gotta love that final line.