Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Home Entertainment Review: Gemini Man

How can you not think that watching an older Will Smith battling a younger version of himself wouldn't be entertaining? That's the premise of Ang Lee's Gemini Man, which hit homes last week on Blu-ray and DVD. The charisma of Will Smith is enough just when there's one of him. Now just imagine how much allure we're bombarded with here. We get grizzled and angry Will at age 51 and young and spry with just the right amount of angst Smith at around 21 smacking each other around.

Henry Brogan is an elite 51-year-old assassin who's ready to call it quits after completing his 72nd job. His plans get turned upside down when he becomes the target of a mysterious operative who can seemingly predict his every move. To his horror, Brogan soon learns that the man who's trying to kill him is a younger, faster, cloned version of himself in Gemini Man.

The most impressive thing about Gemini Man is how realistic the CGI looks for young Will Smith. He looks better than anything we've seen Disney do with the Avengers. You really forget you're not looking at an outraged Fresh Prince most of the time. I hate steering attention away from Industrial, Light, and Magic (ILM), but WETA REALLY delivered the goods here.I'm not going to say there's not little imperfections here and there, but overall it's impeccable.


Although the story isn't original by any means, Gemini Man makes up for that with a solid cast and energy that makes up for it. Every actor brings a sincerity to their role and performance. It also doesn't rely on just big action sequences, but carries a story as well.

Speaking of the action sequences in Gemini Man, there are a few that are downright spectacular. The sequence where young Will Smith is attacking old Will Smith with a motorcycle is ridiculously cool. You'll want to re-watch it a few times just to soak it in. There's some hand-to-hand combat between the two that is rather dynamic as they trade off punches back and forth.

Ang Lee directed Gemini Man. Will Smith, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Clive Owen, and Benedict Wong star in the film. It is rated PG-13 for violence and action throughout, and brief strong language.