Hello Everyone, Janet W. here…
A solid yet original action film is hard to find. Leave it to master cinematographer, Ang Lee, to fill the void. With Gemini Man, the virtual pot o’ gold at the end of the rainbow, viewers will be wowed by the uniquely choreographed and shot action sequences. When Henry Brogan (Will Smith) can no longer view his visage in the mirror, it is definitely time to hang up the sniper rifle. However, when you are the best assassin in the world, can you just stop? Henry thought so. His employer, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and someone he doesn’t suspect beg to differ.
Director Lee exquisitely shot Gemini Man. The angles, pans, set design, and lighting presented a vast world of extremes from the wide-open spaces of rural Georgia to the tight streets of Colombia. High low chases, impossible angle weapon discharges, and quite possibly the most gorgeous nighttime flight sequence capture. The sound was well mixed and really engaged the audience from the opening sequence. Color control was chaotic at best. From faded outdoor images to super-rich indoor the lack of attention made the mise en scene overly artificial. Of course, that is par for the course considering one of the most talked-about aspects of Gemini Man is the youthful manifestation of the leading male, Junior (also Will Smith).
Kudos to the Special Effects department, because the recreation of the teenage Smith is nearly perfect. The eyes and movement during fight scenes were a little off, but it is brilliant how much like the young Fresh Prince. In fact, Junior moves like the trespassing vamps in Blade II, Siamese ninja cats in Cats & Dogs, or Neo in Matrix Reloaded SE peeps remember that people move with joints bound bones. Another mild annoyance was the lame dialogue that periodically crept its way back into the story. Other then that, the action sequences were breath seizing and mind-blowing, the score was exhilarating, and the plot contains nice yet predictable twists.
Overall, Gemini Man keeps the viewers on the edge eagerly anticipating the next move. Henry & Junior are Smith’s greatest performances of this decade. The weariness of life lessons radiates from Smith as Henry while as Junior insecurity is clearly personified. A nice surprise was in the form of Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Danny Zakarweski. I hadn’t seen Winstead since she literally was a Royal Pain (ha, for those who have seen Sky High) or a frantic carnival goer and death dodger in Final Destination 3 as Wendy. Though Winstead’s presence is buried when the Smiths are in the frame, her fighting skills are properly executed and I hope she continues on the action path. The villain of our tale Clay Verris (Clive Owen) is successfully convincing via Owen. He has skills in the “watch the quiet ones” kind of way. In theaters Friday, so catch a ticket for this next level action-packed ride.
UNIQUELY THRILLING!!!
Janet L. White
Straight and to the Point