GEMINI MAN Review — It’s All About the Special Effects
Gemini Man review — this CGI experience with Will Smith starring as his own clone boggles the mind.
I never thought I’d say this about a film, but Gemini Man is worth a look for the special effects alone. It’s the first time you’ve ever seen an all CGI character star with real life actors, and is it ever mesmerizing! Will Smith at 51 meet Will Smith at 23. Really, it seems as if they resurrected the Fresh Prince.
Sure, at times Gemini Man looks like a video game. And if you see it 120 frames per second. like I did, at times it looks like you’re on the set of a television show. But I’d definitely recommend seeing it in 3D—the medium really enhances the film, rather than detracts from it, with some pretty thrilling new visuals. And spring for those rumbling seats, if there are some available in your neck of the woods. They’ll make you feel as if you’re on a ride, rather than in a theater, which takes the movie-going experience to a whole new level.
The young CGI Will Smith conceit is so intriguing, you can almost (almost) forgive the hackneyed plot. How many times have we seen special agents race around the world, being chased by deadly assassins. (Is there any other kind?) But the twist is that this time around Smith is special agent/super assassin Henry Brogan, and his 23-year-old clone Junior—that’s seriously his name—is sent to kill him. Another special agent, played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead, goes along for the ride, and they’re flown around by a buddy/pilot played by Benedict Wong.
Two-time Oscar winner Ang Lee directed this Gemini Man, which will probably come as a surprise to some because he’s usually more conscienceous about his plots. But moments of his characteristic filmmaking elan do manage to make their way through.
It’s not great cinema, but it sure is fun to watch under the right circumstances.
Rated PG-13
1 Hour, 57 Minutes
If this Gemini Man review makes you want to skip into the future to see it, get times and tickets at Fandango.com.
Gemini Man review — This CGI experience with Will Smith starring as his own clone absolutely boggles the mind.
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