MovieChat Forums > Gemini Man (2019) Discussion > Throwing in my two cents *spoilers*

Throwing in my two cents spoilers

posted 5 years ago by MichaelPacino (179)
6 replies | jump to latest

Hello action movie that has been marketed wrong, and now everyone expects it to be the next nominee for Best Picture when it's so clearly just another fun action romp with good action, strong acting, decent cinematography, and overall is a fun experience. Yeah, let's jump into this.

Pro:
Will Smith- I mean when Smith's good, he's really good. As two different versions of the same character, he sells each moment beautifully, capturing what each person has gone through.

Acting overall- Benedict Wong, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and Clive Owens all give strong performances that help sell this idea of cloning, and Owens gives so much humanity to his character, that you can understand getting behind his motive, which is what a good performance should do.

Cinematography- Dion Beebe shows off some impressive camera work in this, capturing flowing whip pans and still shots, much like a Wes Anderson movie, while at times capturing a David Fincher style by having the camera move with certain characters at specific moments. No it's not "Ad Astra" levels of gorgeous cinematography, but it is pleasant to look at, and kept me invested the entire time.

Score- Lorne Balfe's score oozes tension throughout, along with the triumphant moments really shine.

Action- The cinematography really helps this, but the action is just done so well! Executed brilliantly, and planned out expertly. Every hit felt like it hurt, and it's just so friggin good!!! Add on top some great practical effects, including explosions, and it rocks!

Effects- This is why Ang Lee is a strong director, by combining his love of in-camera techniques, with his love of gorgeous VFX. You have the scars on younger Will Smith's face being applied as makeup, while using a gorgeous De-aging effect to really sell the effects. Come on! Practical & visual effects being used simultaneously is amazing!!!!

Cons:
The script- Yeah, even though I enjoyed this movie, I'm not going to deny this script isn't what it could be. The marketing didn't help it at all, but I got the feeling the movie was never meant to be a best picture nominee, and was rather meant to be a fun action romp with good acting, and fun action. That doesn't mean the script isn't a let down. While the actors can sell the dialogue, the story isn't all that new. Now in this day, and age, it's hard to craft a new story since all of the stories have been told, and it's the way it's being told that sells it, but the story here is so basic that it is undeniable this script needed a another writer who knew what to do with this story to elevate it to new heights.

Look, "Gemini Man" is a fun time, and is highly entertaining. Even though the script itself is pretty weak, its still being sold by freaking Ang Lee, with a strong performance by Will Smith. It's still worth seeing for a night to kill, and have a fun time. Don't go in expecting an Oscar caliber movie, go in with being entertained, because that's what this medium can be. Entertaining, and/or challenging.

[–] TheAdlerian (2092) 5 years ago

I like Smith a lot but I'm not excited.

I think the premise is off.

I don't like that it appears to be "near future" because in our world no one would waste the time and effort to clone a hitman, or really anyone. No one is seen as irreplaceable or unkillable. That's because most humans fall within types and in that type are pretty much the same.

As an example, if you get ten Olympic athletes for a certain event, you're probably going to have ten people with very similar qualities in that event. If one of them dies, probably the other nine will do a great job filling in.

That's how we see people and so no one is cloning anyone, even if they could.

However, if this was far future and he was some genetically enhanced superman, then I could see him being mostly unkillable and then his enemies would need another him to beat him. That movie I'd see.

[–] Ripkens25 (2016) 5 years ago

"However, if this was far future and he was some genetically enhanced superman, then I could see him being mostly unkillable and then his enemies would need another him to beat him. That movie I'd see."
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Why would his enemies need another him to beat him? No matter how good someone is, there's always someone better--it doesn't need to be a duplicate person with matching skills. If anything, that would put the odds of victory/defeat at 50-50.

When the T-800 was sent back in time to eliminate Sarah Connor, Skynet sent a better, more advanced unit to go deal with the T-800 and get to John. They didn't send a replica of the T-800.

If Will Smith's character were some super-clone with super skills and needed to be taken out, I wouldn't send a replica of him to do the job. I'd send someone with even BETTER skills. No?

Besides, the movie you're requesting already happened. It was called Looper.

[–] TheAdlerian (2092) 5 years ago

Because that's the idea his enemies came up with.

Take a look at Hitler, not a lot of good ideas there, but he did them anyway.

[–] Threadkiller (3075) 5 years ago

I like Will Smith enough to give this a shot even though the premise of the trailer gives me the impression that it will be a middle of the road sci fi action thriller story wise. Over the years Smith has demonstrated enough charisma and screen presence to make average material work.

[–] Kowalski (75537) 5 years ago

FROM THE FIRST TRAILER I SAW.THIS HAS BEEN MARKETED AS SCI FI ACTION WITH WILL SMITH IN "TWO" ROLES.WHAT MARKETING HAVE YOU BEEN WATCHING?

[–] Ticket41 (68) 5 years ago

Can't imagine anyone watching the trailer and picking up "Oscar bait" the trailer clearly sold the film as a Sci-FI Action popcorn flick. Should have been a summer movie, probably would have done better in the box office then it's going to do.