The Edge is a powerful motion picture that satisfies in every way. First of all, it delivers as an action/adventure film (which is what it is) by giving the audience some heart stopping sequences, and it never slows down. The Edge also delivers as a dramatic film, with an ending that is painfully sad, yet satisfying. This is one fine movie, and the performances by Hopkins (one of my favorite actors today) and Baldwin are superb. They portray their characters with an honesty, and with a realistic nature that only great actors can accomplish. As the plot twists and the pace picks up, you start to become so involved that you forget time is passing by. I strongly suggest this one to action lovers and to anyone who enjoys a good story.
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Willie-122 March 1999
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I vaguely remembered The Edge from a trailer on an old VHS from when i was a kid and it would pop in to my brain from time to time over the years as "That Anthony Hopkins bear movie" but i never actually watched it. I just picked it up today on DVD and i really enjoyed it. It's well acted, has satisfying plot twists and the scenery is beautiful to look at. It starts off a little slow but once the pace picked up i was on the edge of my seat during the scenes where the characters have to fight for their lives against a massive man eating bear and it looks great as a real trained bear was used in the scenes. Another thing i liked was the story and action felt more grounded and based in reality, it was exciting but no one did anything which regular humans wouldn't be able to do and it made it seem more realistic and convincing. Highly recommended if you're looking for some old overlooked movies or something a little different, it's a good time.
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Jerry-758 December 1998Anthony Hopkins is one of my favorite actors, so I had to see this film. Sure enough, I wasn't disappointed. Although the film got mixed reviews (and I could understand why, in a way), I was able to enjoy the experience of watching it. The cinematography was stunning. For that alone I recommend this film. The set-up was good, and the tension between the two main characters kept things lively.
Most of all, however, I love this type of story- out in the elements, man vs. nature, survival, etc. I like seeing what happens when people are put in a situation where they discover the value of life. By slaying the bear (symbolic of one's greatest fears in life), the Hopkins character found his true heart. I was moved by the transformation he underwent, and the compassion he showed to those who had it in for him. I identified with this; I hoped that I could be as magnanamous. I also thought about what the "bear" was in my life, and if I would have the courage to face it and do battle. -
tony's13 March 1999The Edge is an original movie. There have been movies with stranded people, fighting for survival and movies with jealous lovers trying to kill the rich spouse, but how often has there been such an adventurous story combining them both? It seems Hopkins has befriended Bart the Bear with multiple appearances with the new star. The scenery in Alaska is magnificent. It's almost as if the viewer is there on the plane. I wonder if Charles Morse did start a new life.
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namashi_122 July 2016'The Edge' Directed by Lee Tamahori, is An Interesting Survival Drama, that is served with a consistent pace & effective performances. Its never razor-sharp, but it holds you for the most of it.
'The Edge' Synopsis: An intellectual billionaire and two lesser men struggle to band together and survive after getting stranded in the Alaskan wilderness with a blood-thirsty Kodiak Bear hunting them down.
'The Edge' is about two men fighting it out in the Wilderness. The Bear, of course in the main antagonist, but 'The Edge' is more about the fight between its two strong leading men & how they are as unpredictable & fierce as the Bear. I was engrossed for the most part. The only glitch, lies in its final-act, which drags on for a bit.
David Mamet's Screenplay is interesting & successfully captures the violent & unpredictable journey of two strong men. Lee Tamahori's Direction is excellent. Donald McAlpine Cinematography's is a sheer delight. 'The Edge' is a visual marvel, as it captures the wilderness & the beauty of it, without ever looking overdone. The Late/Great Neil Travis's Editing is well-done. Art & Costume Design are superb. Make-Up merits a special mention.
Performance-Wise: Sir Anthony Hopkins & Alec Baldwin are in great from. Hopkins excels as the billionaire with a strong will to survive, while Baldwin oozes subtle menace as well as induces some nice comic touches. Both of the terrific actors work superbly here. And of course Bart the Bear, who's contribution here is tremendous. R.I.P, dear Bart.
On the whole, 'The Edge' is definitely worth watching. -
secondtake26 October 2011The Edge (1997)
This is a fun wilderness adventure movie with some terrific acting by both Alec Baldwin (as a spoiled bad boy) and Anthony Hopkins (as a very smart millionaire). They battle of wits, and the fighting of the elements, is fodder for screenwriter David Mamet, who has produced more interesting dialog than this, for sure. The third star is the Kodiak bear, who gets a huge credit line at the end, and who unites, at least sometimes, the two men in the cold isolation of Alaska.
But let's face it, as much fun as this is, this is thin going. It even looks a bit like a slightly adult version of a Disney adventure film, with people bonding and conflicting as needed. In fact, if you start comparing this movie to others like it (there are a few), you might even consider the television series "Lost," which is at least more imaginative and full-blooded in its writing. Or just survival in the mountains you might check out "Touching the Void."
I just saw the old Spencer Tracy movie "Mountain" this week, and it is a weird precursor to this one (minus the bear). That is, two people facing the elements have very different ideas of morality and of trust. Like that movie, this newer one doesn't explore the conflict of personae, or ethics, very far, giving only what are the obvious differences. That's not enough for a feature length affair.
Which brings us back to Baldwin and Hopkins. They are, actually, enough to hold you in for the duration. You really do hope they survive, and if you wince at some of the dialog and at the appearance of bear traps at all the wrong moments, you can get into the drama of it pretty well. And into the scenery. Amazing stuff. -
DonutLover20 February 2007This movie is one that I can never stop watching, if it comes on TV or someone rents it. First of all, the scenery is magnificent! The wilds of Alaska are probably one of the last great "otherworlds" of our planet. And, Anthony Hopkins has always been one of the best looking actors out there, to me. So, now you've got a cool looking guy, playing a brain (yowza!!), a rich one at that, and some beautiful scenery. A flock of wild geese bring down the plane. From that point on, it's non-stop action. ANY time you think that these men might make it out of there, here comes BART to prove otherwise! I love how Bart (the grizzly) is just relentless!! He is determined to eat these fellows, or at least one of them. Go Bart! ( eat the liberal, watch him run ) Ah, it's a great story, and acted very well.
I do in all honesty feel sorry, for the grizzly bear. I don't care how much his real life trainers may say he "loves" them; I just can't see keeping a creature like that as a pet, confined, and domesticated. They are magnificent creatures who should be respected ( aka left alone ). I would feel the same way seeing a human kept, very well, in a Martian zoo. It's just not right.
In the end, Charles (Hopkins) walks up to his wife, who he has learned has been seriously unfaithful to him. He lets her know that he knows. But then, when asked by the reporter about the other man (Baldwin), who we as the audience know was trying to kill Charles, Charles states that (Baldwin) "saved my life". Okay, what does that mean? does it mean that Baldwin pointed out to Charles what a farce his marriage was, and the truth has set him free? Or that, through his experience with Baldwin, and with Bart, that he now feels complete as a human, knowing that he survived in the deep forest, using only his brains and instinct? If anyone knows the answer, as to how Baldwin "saved his life" please let me in. thanks!! -
slhma107 November 2013I first saw this movie in 97 when it first came out.I had barely heard of Baldwin,Hopkins or Perrineau.It turned out to be one of those movies I sat on the "edge" of my seat and was stunned by the ending.I sat there,mouth agape.I found I had a deep respect for all three actors.This movie,in every discernible way,is a masterpiece.The cinematography is breathtaking.The musical score is one of the most beautiful themes I have ever heard.The plot is smooth and the acting superb.I had heard of Baldwin but had not thought he was a great actor until seeing The Edge.Hopkins has made some great movies but this one..well it my personal favorite.The subtleties are numerous,the suspense captivating and the message is profound.The bear is without a doubt frightening and primal.This movie evoked emotions in me that were also primal.And the ending? It is the best ending to any movie I have ever seen.Perhaps you might have to appreciate the complexities of human nature as well as the action sequences in The Edge to get the most out of the viewing experience.It truly is the best of both worlds.
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AaronCapenBanner29 September 2013Anthony Hopkins plays billionaire Charles Morse, a bookish man who is married to a much younger woman(played by Elle McPherson) who is coveted by her photographer(Alec Baldwin) The two men, as well as an assistant(played by Harold Perrineau) are flown into a remote location in the Alaskan wilderness, when they are struck by a flock of birds, causing them to crash in the lake, killing the pilot, and placing the three survivors in a life and death struggle with not only the harsh elements, but a huge Kodiak bear that smells blood...
Harrowing adventure drama from writer David Mamet is well directed by Lee Tamahori and acted by the leads, especially Anthony Hopkins, whose transformation from bookish introvert to determined survivalist is believable(they're not mutually exclusive anyway!) Relationship among the men is a bit muddled, especially after the climax, but solid thriller is also compelling and frightening.
Not a film for people with a fear of bears... -
ccthemovieman-19 March 2006Boy, here's an intense film, a survival-in-the-wilderness adventure/thriller starring the unlikely duo of Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin. It's not hard to guess who's the villain, in addition to a man-eating bear who stalks the two of them after their plane crashes in the woods of Alaska.
The sophistication of Hopkins, playing an extremely smart man, battling the crude Baldwin, who is insanely jealous of Hopkins' possessions, including his gorgeous wife (Elle McPherson), is intriguing to watch. So is the great scenery and best-of-all, a great action story that has you focused intently for the full two hours.
A human characteristic so often ignored in films the past half century is put on display here: compassionate forgiveness. Seeing forgiveness demonstrated instead of revenge is almost shocking to see. Kudos to the filmmakers, too, for not going overboard on the brutality in this adventure. -
Quinoa19847 April 2006I wouldn't say this is one of the writer David Mamet's best written works (in truth I didn't know he wrote it until looking it up here), and it doesn't make director Lee Tamahori a really top-notch studio filmmaker. That being said, when it was shown on television the other day I couldn't turn away from the TV. It is, without a doubt, just an entertaining survival story with a few really good actors in the midst of the wilderness. On top of this there is also the factor of the bear in the film, played by the late Bart the bear (of The Bear and the Great Outdoors, oddly enough to be referring to an animal as if he were a real acting talent), who is if nothing else a terrifying amalgam of the dangers of the wild. It's almost not that important to know much about the background about the characters, but Mamet even gives a little bit of edge, no pun intended, with the animosity of Baldwin at Hopkins. It's with this unnerving background that Mamet does his best to portray this struggle for survival. It's not quite the territory that suits him in some ways- the dialog, if compared to some of his other words, is lackluster to me- despite him doing his best to make it original. And what else could be asked for than to keep your eyes tuned to the screen, which is the wisdom in casting Hopkins as the rich old white guy who knows-most-if-not-all and Baldwin as the contemptitive and scared s***less other guy (and lest not forget Harold Perrenieu in a good supporting role). To put it another way, if you like movies dealing with man against nature, this is one not to miss. However if you're just a general fan of the actors or just getting into Mamet it's not a high priority. It's at the core a sturdy enough picture, and it also provides some keen Bart the bear stunts. 7.5/10
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claudonio9 February 2000"The Edge" is a terrific movie, not just as an action movie but as whole. I went to see this film because I thought it looked interesting, my expectations were shattered, this is a well written, well acted, well directed thriller. Anthony Hopkins as always turns in a great performance but the big suprise is Alec Baldwin who did just as well. This film has some of the best dialogue ever written for a movie of this type, and the action scenes are clever and blazingly paced. This is a terrific movie.
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pmdawn22 July 2008I like David Mamet's films, and so I was interested in checking out this movie, written by him. I didn't really know what to expect. It turns out this is just as good as one of Mamet's own.
The story works on multiple levels. There's the "lost in the wilderness" theme, which reminded me of a lighter "Deliverance". There's the horror of nature. There is the conflict between rich vs poor. And then there's another layer, that being of testing one's true character in challenging situations.
Alec Baldwin does a good job as he can, but Anthony Hopkins is simply awesome here, and I'm not usually a fan of his. His character is very well thought-out, as is Bob. One of the reason this movie works is the ever-present tension between the protagonists.
The scenery is beautiful and everything is well-executed here. The dialogue is one of the high points of this movie. It's like a play, in the wilderness - but surprisingly realistic at the same time.
Worth watching.
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benjaminmyklebust22 May 2006I read someone said this was underrated, personally I was quite surprised to see this has got a 6.5 out of 10. The goofs list could have been so much longer. The movie is about some city people who's in the wild, and clearly, the director has never been out of the city either.
I especially like how, when Hopkins come running to see Baldwin, he just happens to have a fire with like 10 fiercely burning logs, which they hurl into a perfect circle, in the snow, were all the logs continue to burn as a nice flame, equal to all the others, while the one in the middle remains the same.
Also, I think it's funny how Baldwin got waterproof matches at a bar, matches that didn't suffer from a crash in the lake.
And when they walk in a circle, after a couple of days, they actually stumble upon their old fire place. That's a perfect circle too! OK, so the last is not a good, as such, more a sign of a completely stupid screen play.
This also goes for the poor story telling, where Hopkins just happens to see the blood-tainted piece of cloth in the tree just exactly as the bear attacks.
Generally, this is a movie I could have liked, it has good actors, and I could enjoy a good lost-in-the-wild movie, but this just sucks. -
barnabyrudge13 February 2003The Edge is not interesting just because it's a well made survival thriller. The behind the scenes events on the film are pretty interesting too, especially the fact that it was filmed in such difficult conditions that star Hopkins developed life threatening pneumonia midway through the production.
The story tells of a shy but intelligent billionaire (Hopkins) who is married to a stunning model (MacPherson). Unbeknown to him, his wife is unhappy in their relationship and has been having her wicked way with a photographer (Baldwin). All three of them, plus a whole lot more, find themselves in the wilds of Alaska for a photograph shoot, but things go horribly wrong when a plane carrying Hopkins and Baldwin crashes in the middle of the wilderness. They must use every bit of practical skill and common sense they possess to survive until they can be found, and to make matters even worse they become the prey of a roaming grizzly bear.
Some of the man .vs. bear scenes are the most terrifying scenes of people tackling dangerous animals ever put on film. The increasingly strained relationship between Hopkins and Baldwin, as each reveals more of their secrets to the other, is very well played and creates some genuinely tense moments. The backdrop of Alaskan wilderness is pleasing to the eye throughout the whole film. There's nothing really wrong with The Edge at all: it's a well made, interestingly told and often exciting survival thriller. The only drawbacks it has are minor, such as MacPherson's inexpressive performance and a few boring stock characters in the small roles. Well worth watching. -
The Edge is a very effective movie on several counts and is a blast to watch. Sporting a terrific A-list cast most notably Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin (his character is a real POS in this) and others. This suspenseful film is tightly crafted and will provide you with plenty of thrills, in light of the movies real star - a relentless man-eating bear. A "Mr. Kodiak", if you will. It's presence is very, very, menacing indeed and the attack scenes more or less put you right in the action, because that's just how vivid they are (and the bear attack in "Revenant" (2015) dials up the intensity and brutality even more). One of the best aspects of this film is it's grand scenic setting (scenic photography) which shows off the glorious splendor of the Canadian (?) wilderness ever so effectively. The greatest of film maestro's, Jerry Goldsmith, composed a notably effective score for this film and his music really drives home the "bear element" quite marvelously, with lots of powerful brass, thundering percussion and recurring low-end piano punctuations - thank you for very punchy sounds, Jerry. All in all though not perfect, The Edge is very solid all the same. But as far as criticism goes for this film I'd have to say that Baldwin's acting can be a grating (verging on embarrassing once or twice), some scenes in particular his over-acting is, well, you'll see. The Edge is a total pro-production in every aspect and is potent in it's delivery, trust me when I say you're bound to be entertained - to say the least. There really should be MORE wilderness epics like THIS (it's a breath of fresh air to get away from all the strip joints, gas stations, apartment buildings, military bases and parking lots - to say the least), but that never seems to happen. Lastly, am I imagining things or is this film a bit under-rated.
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maggiemaexo8 October 2012Charles Morse (Anthony Hopkins), a billionaire with photographic memory, and two other men, Robert "Bob" Green (Alec Baldwin), a photographer, and Stephen (Harold Perrineau), his assistant, arrive in a remote North America, along with Charles's much-younger wife, Mickey (Elle Macpherson), a fashion model. The group is only there for a photo shoot and staying as guests at a lodge, they later are recruited to another area due to a sick model. After their plane crashes, the men attempt to hike to a more likely search area, only to find that a male Kodiak bear is stalking them. They elude it, but later the bear attacks their camp and kills Stephen.
The angles of the movie were spectacular; it made you feel like you were out in the woods. Seeing the actors in this environment makes you want to put on a coat to watch the movie. A very strong performance by all the actors in a film that deals with using bare instincts on fighting wild animals, staying alive from the elements, and morality. I can understand why some of the more modern audience might find that to be a turn-off. The sets and locations alone are worth a rental. The photography is beautiful, the landscape comes alive, and sometimes it steals the picture away from the characters.
Very strong performances by Anthony Hopkins, Bart the Bear, and Alec Baldwin, Not only were they great but they were troopers with the set. Anthony Hopkins got a severe case of pneumonia while filming out in the cold; I'm a huge fan so his performance was fantastic he can go from a city guy to survival and make it believable. His character was well portrayed and a flawless performance. Alec Baldwin also did a great job in this movie. (And I can't say that I was a big fan of Alec before this movie) I have only seen him in comedy, but I have a better opinion of him now. Elle McPherson has a small role which she played well and portrayed her character very well.
A gripping storyline, fantastic scenery and a real sense of drama and survival, it delivers as an action/adventure film by giving some heart stopping sequences, and it never slows down. The Edge also delivers as a dramatic film, with an ending that is painfully sad, yet satisfying. They portray their characters with honesty, and with a realistic nature that only great actors can accomplish. As the plot twists and the pace picks up, you start to become so involved that you forget time is passing by. I strongly suggest this one to action lovers and to anyone who enjoys a good story. -
lawrencelawrence866 December 2021Has a tv movie feel to it and some of the writing is slightly weak but the story is solid. Bart the bear does a great job and all the actors more or less do a good job.
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obiwancohen20 March 2000I had low expectations going into this movie, but after about ten minutes I was hooked. The cinematography is lush, the music is warm and hearty and the script is fresh and furious. At times, the film is slow, and it is during these moments that you realize the depth and emotion injected into these characters via Mamet's crystal-clear and poignant dialogue. It touches on primal fears (territory, survival, fear, shame, love and jealousy) and it delivers moral commentary on all of the above. Did I also mention that this movie is a thriller too? Hopkins is at his best as the calm and thoughtful Charles Morse, billionaire and bored with his ivory tower lifestyle. His counterpart, Mr. Baldwin is a slimy and petty fashion photographer, Bob Green. The interaction between the two shows a middle-ground that is brilliant in contrast. Hopkins is a father figure to Baldwin's brash young frenzied Bob. The competition between the two to survive, and ultimately return to civilization (and Charles' wife), sets the stage for a complex and thoughful character drama. Bart the Bear is a star indeed, and while this movie is marketed for having "Jaws with Claws," there is SO much more depth and detail to this movie. This is easily in my top 10 films of all time. It connected with me and I hope you enjoy it too. 10 out of 10!
Best Line: CHARLES: "I have always wanted to do something that was... that was unequivocal" -
gunn-wrights26 February 2023I'm not sure which scares me more - wild animals in nature, or wild people in town. I'd say both, which is probably why I never leave the house unless I HAVE TO!!
I was hoping for a bit more action, but I understand they were going for a movie that kept you on THE EDGE of your seat (haha... see what I did there). But, it's true, it was more suspenseful than action - which made for a good movie. I don't think of Anthony Hopkins as much of an 'action hero' - but he can definitely do suspense. As always, his performance was spot on!!
RECOMMENDATION: I would watch! Just be prepared for more of a suspense than action - I should have known better! -
filmmakerck1724 June 2005It's exceedingly easy to see how some people might not like this film. The most frequent reason in my opinion is that some just don't 'get it'. While busy focusing on pointing out rather trivial and nit-picky things, they are so far off the central point and weight of what the film is truly offering that the most rewarding aspects are lost on them.
Firstly, a very interesting and off center look into survival in the wilderness. Unconventional in the way that any alternate -in what I would consider "Hollywood"- version of this film would feature mostly everything taking place in that exotic cabin where this menacing digital bear(s) cuts the power and kills people off one by one because they left food out. Instead we are taken deep into the wilderness for real, with no comfort or near-by home base to return to. Decisions made don't feel forced, they feel natural and logical. At no point was I compelled to yell obscenities at the screen protesting character stupidity(leg cut excluded). Much of the Bear chase presented immediate solutions, with no choice to the point where the most illogical choice -to actually make a stand and kill this bear- becomes the ONLY choice, for all other options have expired.
Secondly, upon close inspection of the performances, the acting is spot on. I'd call the performances far from "wooden"! I think they were heart-felt, high-energy, and consistent. Of course, if you aren't paying attention, certainly it would seem as though Alec Baldwin's character, Bob, shifts toward the end as he 'turns' on Anthony Hopkins' character, Charles, with his attempt to kill him. However, it doesn't take much more than an above 8th grade level of comprehension to get that Bob has been cynically plotting to kill Charles far before the film even begins. That scene in the cabin was simply his chance to finally unburden his feelings toward the situation and justify what he was about to do(made final by the "For All The Nights" discovery). Upon watching the film a second time through, it's evident that Bob was able to suppress the impending deed (which in my opinion was something he thought he HAD to do in the end) for the more imminent task of survival, and even taking those feelings and burying them for the time being.
There is also an interesting element of male bonding in the face of adversity-not overcoming the vices and evils that cement Bob to his ultimate deed. Also impressive was the extensive knowledge, yet honest innocence of Charles being something of a recluse from conventional thinking. To the end giving Bob the benefit of the doubt as a man worth preserving; such a sad tale of a very lonely, rich man(never feel sorry for a man that owns a plane); indeed two men who through this experience could have been friends if not for the complexity of their 'other' lives back in civilization. That said, Bob's reasoning was justified to Bob and I could understand his position and motives.
Bobs confrontation of Charles in the clearing tells a very deep rooted stereotype he has for the wealthy class, not really getting that Charles was at the very least an exception to that rule if not a shining example of what was the better human being. In any case Bob felt as though he was entitled to Mickey more-so than Charles, even implying that Mickey and he would be together if not for Charles' wealth. This hatred remained too deep to ignore even after their experience.
And I'm sorry, but to see that fundamental stand-up and confidence chant (what one man can do another can do) despite lingering fear in Bobs face gets me saying "hell yeah" each and every time. One of the party having already suffered death and devouring by this behemoth, the fight was believable as rational thought ended up being the key. Horribly outmatched, they owed a lot to courage and luck. In my opinion the film became sobering upon the death of their friend by the bear, and I always breath a sigh of relief watching that bear laying there dead, the two exhausted men leaning against it, out of breath, as we swallow what we just went through.
Thus, survival at that point was over and resolved in my opinion. These men could survive in the wilderness having passed what I thought to be an ultimate test. I also believe that, after the bear slaying, more time had elapsed than a lot of reviewers give credit for. The fact that they made clothing, food, and other things out of the bear to me marked the passage of a good deal of time.
What I also saw was a very natural and gradual unraveling of their character as the experience wore on them, until the core of things finally prevailed in the end. And it wasn't the deceit or even the cheating. It was in the end about two men, one dying (justly) yet somehow I felt sad to see him go. Because on what turned out to be his death bed, he offered Mickey's innocence in this business of doing Charles in. An act of virtue from a character who had previously only acted in his own interest got to me. Plus Charles' bond to him was enough to put me on his side and root for this attempted murderer to live.
In my opinion the depth, scope, and insight into darker aspects of the human condition go largely unnoticed in this film, for people go in expecting bears, Baldwin, and Hollywood and usually only see what they expect to see. No more, no less. I feel that this film was nicely filled out, packed with little things I loved and fundamental things that moved and entertained me. I hate to see relatively high-brow stuff being overlooked and passed off as low-brow, but I suppose The Edge remains a sleeper. -
SnoopyStyle18 May 2015Billionaire Charles Morse (Anthony Hopkins) joins his model wife Mickey (Elle Macpherson) on a photo shoot with brash photographer Bob Green (Alec Baldwin) and his assistant Stephen (Harold Perrineau). Charles is a brilliant man with vast reserves of knowledge. Robert Green has the idea to go further into the wilderness. He convinces Charles to join him and Stephen. Bird strikes bring their plane down. Charles is able to save Stephen from the plane. The three men are forced to find their way to safety while being pursued by a bear.
I like that both men have their own flaws. At first, Charles looks like the smart one being maligned. However he shows that he can be wrong. I certainly like the two great actors together. I would probably leave the bear kill closer to the end. It's the most exciting point of the movie and needs to be the climax. The rest of it needs to be more compressed. The movie should end soon after Bob falls into the trap. -
mpj2012 September 2005The Edge reminded me of the old Kipling quote, that to be a superior man means to keep your head when everyone around you is loosing theirs!Its is my favorite survival film, & one of the best of Baldwin & Hopkin's careers. In addition to a great cast (check out Michael from LOST!), interesting characters & great action, the film asks many questions of the audience - Why do some succeed where others fail? How do we look at success - when we see it in others, do we feel envy or admiration? I think that the central message of the film is that in order to prevail in any difficult endeavor, people must rise above their "lower", "animal" instincts like fear & selfishness, and embrace "higher" qualities like self-control, intellect, compassion, & sacrifice.
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pjspeight_2k21 June 2000Although starting well with a stellar cast and very decent script, the end result is quite empty. Not to say that this film is boring and the beautiful scenery is a compensation too. But both Hopkins and Baldwin have almost nothing to dig their teeth into. It's well directed by Lee Tamahori, although he should have gone for a more intense character study. The two stars are very watchable but don't expect anything too challenging.
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ptsj-music26 April 2015Sometimes one wonders if movies are mad only because some producer is able to gather the cash to make it and just have this big dream of casting actors like Anthony Hopkins to some story in an unusual environment for this actor. The Edge is this kind of film, where a mediocre screenplay doesn't get any better at all despite putting Hopkins in the leading role, on the contrary. In this a very predictable story where all the miserable tricks are use to make it mostly embarrassing to watch. The bottom was hit when the only rainy sequence so obviously was shot in a studio with lightning flashes from a bunch of 5000 watts spotlights were supposed to do the trick, that the only thing missing were the really artificial sound effects going along. It is so typical B-movie and shows very much what little know how there was in the crew about weather in Alaska. About the cast - I wonder if Mr. Hopkins didn't wonder why and how the caster Donna Isaacson, together with the producer and director somehow couldn't find anyone better than Alec Baldwin to test his actor's skills against. If I were an actor of his caliber, I surely wood. Baldwin is totally lost in the wilderness, but seen from an artistic angle. Every single of my credits go to Hopkins for trying, L.Q. Jones for making the start a bit thrilling, Harold Pirreneau simply for being the black guy dying early in the story, and above everyone else, best actor Bart the Bear. Worth mentioning is also the late Gordon Tootoosis, who doesn't say anything, but still makes the movie better. Yes. it's a digression, but why wasn't Tootoosis casted for the role as Geronimo, in stead of Wes Studi? The rest of the movie is stuffed with logical errors, unlikely events and bad points. On top of that the music seems like something stolen from a test score to another Indiana Jones film, but found too bombastic even for that. All in all, if this was meant to be realistic, dramatic and exciting, the one's behind the screenplay, together with the producer and director would have been much better off making a documentary about themselves really being lost in the wilderness. It could have been exciting.