Review of The Edge (1997) by Chris M — 30 Sep 2010

"The Edge" is an intense movie. I've heard some people say that it's cliched, and that would be true. But you can see that the film-makers know this. Some of the greatest movies are cliches. People need to take a hint from the master, Alfred Hitchcock: It's not about the content, but what can be done with the content. How does "The Edge" fair with this? Quite well.

The story tells of two men lost in the harsh wilderness of Alaska. They are lost, have no way of getting back to civilization, and are being stalked by an enormous Alaskan Kodiak Bear (Bart the Bear should have gotten an Oscar). What really makes the film work is the comradery, and the rivalry, of the two main characters: Charles and Bob, played superbly by Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin. Each shot of them showcases both their need and liking of each other as well as their deeply buried hatred. The biting dialogue, which is often fraught with double meanings, only helps to fortify this fact.

One of the first things you'll notice about "The Edge" is its cinematography. The movie was shot in Alaska, of course, and it is absolutely gorgeous. It's good to see that there is still some of nature's beauty in America. The soundtrack by Jerry Goldsmith (famous for "The Omen") is just as marvelous.

I recommend this movie. It's intense and really drags you in with its central characters. Don't make the mistake of taking everything too seriously, though. While it's meant to be taken seriously, it's also meant to be a lot of fun.