christian movie review gemini man

Reviewed by: Ruth Eshuis CONTRIBUTOR

Aging / mid-life crisis

Wisdom that should come with age

Human conscience

GUILT —How can I be and feel forgiven? Answer

FORGIVEN? —If God forgives me every time I ask, why do I still feel so guilty? Answer

Self-sacrifice

Striving to be a moral person— What is goodness ? Righteousness ? and Holiness ?

Leaders who play God with people’s lives

Assassins who work for governments

FILM VIOLENCE —How does viewing violence in movies affect families? Answer

Honorable partnership that earns respect

Treating women respectfully

Developing good manners, humility and apologizing for your wrongs

Human clones

Cloning: Right or wrong? Answer

Valuing marriage and having children as one of the greatest opportunities in life

An over-the-hill hitman faces off against a younger clone of himself

“D eep down it’s like my soul is hurt. I just want some peace.”

Imagine seeing this phrase on an elite sniper’s application for retirement. Bizarre? Yet this is how Henry explains the frustration to his boss. Here starts the unlikely story of Henry Brogan ( Will Smith ) a middle-aged man who suddenly has to face his aging, regrets, fractured identity and deferred family values… yet whose complicated fame won’t let him rest.

Trying to break from his high-level job, but betrayed by his superiors, Henry along with his new friend Danny ( Mary Elizabeth Winstead ), finds that he must now run from the government, trying to work out the problem and its solution. From Belgium to Georgia to Columbia, Hungary and a jet; they hide and pursue, seeking to understand and stop their enemy—head of the clandestine Gemini unit, who has, without permission, been ‘playing God’ with the genetics of the world’s greatest assassin.

There’s much to be said about how this film has been put together. Overall, it’s a little lacking, which is quite a surprise since both Ang Lee and Jerry Bruckheimer are involved. And choosing how many moviemaking stars out of five is tricky this time, because the standard is inconsistent. But we’re more concerned with the moral qualities than the polish, anyway.

Here are some of the disappointing aspects. The soundtrack is suitably bittersweet, but also dull. There are several laughably unconvincing scenes where special effects are used or misused. And most distracting are the big problems with the finishing, as they’ve tried to alter Will Smith’s face too much in order to play two distant life stages of the same (at least genetically) person. The airbrushing and askew facial features leave Junior looking like an android. Therefore, I believe it’d be more enjoyable to see “Gemini Man” on the small screen. But I must admit that none of these issues are quite as bad as secular critics have made out.

On the positive side, the film offers viewers travel to several countries, a fun chase scene, great warmth and platonic chemistry between the two heroes, some excellent acting across the board and several clever effects, such as use of fish-eye for the sudden passing of a bullet train. The dread and gore are minimal, and respectful restraint has been used for how most deaths occur. The tale has good pacing and balance, so it doesn’t drag—I was surprised to learn afterward that its length is about two hours.

Concerning Areas

Like most action films, ‘Gemini Man’ has a significant amount of violence, lawbreaking, adult themes and bad language. There is some dread, shocks, and many potentially triggering aspects for those who may have been in the military or are experiencing mid-life crises of some kind. The main character is a professional killer (for the ‘good’ side, of course) who already has at least 72 kills on his shoulders, with at least another dozen added before the closing credits. The villains are either thoroughly cognizant and evil, or confused pawns. Their sins are condemned, though.

The violence, crimes and adult themes include: • drowning • desecrated mass tomb • snipers • riot squad • war zone training • shootouts • taser • grenade • death threats • stalking/surveillance • fall from height • variety of high-powered firearms • violent struggle with head slammed into items • teeth-pulling torture (implied) • bound with ropes and gag • off-book kidnappings, etc • theft of vehicle • reckless motorcycling without protective gear • vandalism • planning of a cover-up • ‘collateral damage’ murder • lack of consideration for police • knife skirmish • impersonation of officers • embedded shrapnel • baiting • human skulls and bones • trip wires and explosives • cave-in • ambush • hand-to-hand combat • flare • bullet to arm • deliberate triggering of anaphylactic episode • car rides without seatbelts • sentry laser gun • secret microchipping • rocket launcher • strangulation • gushing bullet-wound and tourniquet • ax • war veteran suicide references • parenticide attempt

Despite all this, I left the cinema feeling that it had been well handled, interesting and focused on the story, not glorifying violence.

The sex references (mild), nudity (to underwear, swimsuits or bikini—non-sexual situations) and crudity are far less than in many comparable films, but still significant. A woman is told to strip, then is slowly checked for wires. It’s done dispassionately, but still involves seeing a woman being touched while wearing only her underwear. One of Henry’s mates is womanizing while married . Another man kisses a luxury vehicle, speaking to it like a lover.

Positive Aspects

Some quite healthy attitudes permeate the film, too. Henry strives to be a moral person, though he’s clearly imperfect and has regrets. His grim job is with the motivation of preventing unnecessary wars. He has great manners and apologizes in more than a few touching moments. It is suggested that Henry has noble intentions in relationships, too, and treats all women respectfully—except for the one he says he’ll gladly murder! He is troubled by those survivors hurt by his kills and worries about whether some of the hits may have been wrong, though he was just following government orders.

Henry also clearly values marriage and having children as one of the greatest opportunities in life, a deeper longing than the money, travel, vices and career ambitions that usually get mentioned. Also, he staunchly refuses the idea of ‘playing God’ as an evil, even if it temptingly promises to lessen the chance of others having to suffer from the same ‘ghosts’ as he is.

Danny Zakarweski ( Mary Elizabeth Winstead ) is also an overwhelmingly decent presence and influence, except for an extraction of both information and teeth from one of the bad guys, as part of her professional role. She shows a great trusting partnership with Henry and earns respect.

Meanwhile, interesting quotes from other main characters present conflicting perspectives of the human conscience . Some deplore it as a weakness and liability, while others cling to it as a valuable instinct and counterbalance, something that can be strengthened with aging’s wisdom rather than seared, if a person lives well. Overall, the contention is that though at times we may struggle to look in the mirror and face our past, when we are able to do so and honestly make peace with our being ‘not okay,’ hurt and permanently damaged, then we may be able to start loving ourselves a whole lot better.

A Deeper Look

Though there’s no specific references to religion, occult or spirituality, existential and identity issues are discussed, and of course conscience . The “Gemini” name doesn’t seem to be an attempt to introduce astrology or ancient zodiac ideas—it’s merely an organization’s name referring to twins. The main presence of evil in the film, therefore, is from the wicked and corrupt leaders, and misuse of the Lord’s name on a handful of occasions.

Other themes include human cloning to create less-flawed ‘superhumans;’ the politics of warfare and the pain of experiencing little unconditional love . But most weighty of the themes is Henry’s internal battle over his age and weariness.

While Henry wrestles with his past, present state, future and ‘offspring,’ he reflects on decisions and sacrifices that have caused harm. Yet when he ponders the concept of a younger version of himself who hasn’t suffered all his pains, he still concludes, “There’s no perfect version of you or me or anybody,” and that a person with weaknesses is just as valuable as one with less genetic or personality flaws.

Are you good enough to get to Heaven? Answer

How good is good enough? Answer

Will all mankind eventually be saved? Answer

The Bible’s response to the difficulties of aging, traumatic residue and regrets is that in Christ we can find completion. Life is messy but well planned by the Lord to develop each of us throughout the journey. He teaches us about our sin and imperfections. He introduces us to His rescue plan for mankind , which involves the gentle and heart-strong Son of God , better than an elite fighter or worldly superhero. And He transforms and sanctifies us to shed the burden of our sin and shame. God in His sovereignty can use each experience and even each weakness to craft a ‘new me’ quite different and which we’re much happier with, because He has fully forgiven us and wiped our slate clean. So, let’s not be troubled by our frailties and sadness, because each day can be another step closer to our Lord and the deep peace He offers.

Final Thoughts

“Gemini Man” is a grown up’s tale, sad, but refreshingly devoid of the ferocious, vile and self-indulgent living that are so often in action flicks because they appeal to angry young people. It may suit the average middle-aged Christian better than most of today’s action flicks. Teens and young adults might not relate to its themes so much, but may respect its classic feel. The special effects better suit a small screen. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the experience and appreciated its subject matter. Morally it is not too bad, except for the misuses of the Lord’s name and a typically heavy list of casualties…

• Violence: Heavy
• Profane language: Moderately Heavy— •  J*sus (3) • G*d d*mn (3) •  h*ll (9)
• Vulgar/Crude language: Moderately Heavy (listed above)–including • mother-f-word • muffled “f*** you” • sh-words (10) • a**hole (1) • other a-words (4) • p*ss • s*cks • “51 year old mature man meat”
• Nudity: Moderate
• Mental illness issues: • PTSD • insomnia • guilt • ‘ghosts’ of those you’ve killed…
• Alcohol/Drugs: • alcoholism discussed • beers several times (specific brand’s product placement) • smoking cigar
• Occult: None

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers .

PLEASE share your observations and insights to be posted here.

"Effective Spy Thriller, with a Twist"

What You Need To Know:

Miscellaneous Immorality: Cloning subplot, government corruption but rebuked and defeated, betrayal, an innocent man is wrongly assassinated but the evil plot is exposed.

More Detail:

GEMINI MAN stars Will Smith as a government assassin who uncovers and fights a rogue operation planning to create an amoral clone army without feelings and without any moral conscience. Some of the dialogue is a bit corny, but GEMINI MAN is an effective spy thriller with a science fiction twist that, nevertheless, warrants extreme caution because of strong foul language, violence and the movie’s assassination theme.

The movie opens with an American military sniper named Henry Brogan (Smith) assassinating a supposed bio-terrorist traveling on a high-speed train in Europe. After the successful mission, Henry tells his handler from the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) he’s decided to retire because he shot the man in the neck even though he was aiming for the man’s head. Henry feels lucky that his shot didn’t go further off track and hit an innocent passenger, like the little girl across the aisle from the intended victim. He feels he’s losing his touch, including his concentration, and should retire.

Henry’s handler reluctantly agrees to Henry’s retirement, but Henry soon finds himself attacked by a team of assassins sent by the head of the DIA. The director’s in cahoots with Clay Verris, a rogue military contractor who once worked with Henry in the military. The man Henry shot on the train wasn’t really a bio-terrorist. He was an expert in cloning and has been helping Verris create an army of clone soldiers. The scientist betrayed Verris when Verris decided to manipulate the clone army’s DNA not only to make the soldiers pain free but also to eliminate any moral decision-making abilities in them. Creating soldiers without a moral conscience isn’t a good idea.

With help from a friend and a female spy assigned to watch him, Henry escapes to Columbia, where he finds himself stalked by a mysterious assassin who knows his every move. Henry discovers the assassin is a younger clone of himself, who’s been fed a bunch of lies about Henry from Verris.

GEMINI MAN is an exciting, vigorous spy thriller. It starts with a suspenseful sequence and barely lets up after that. A chase sequence involving motorcycles in the streets of Columbia is the highlight of the action, but it comes a little too early in the movie. The action scenes in the movie’s second half don’t seem as exiting. Also, some of the dialogue involving confrontations between the good guys and the bad guys are a little corny.

That said, GEMINI MAN has a light moral worldview with strong patriotic elements. Although the heroes are up against government corruption, the movie extols the idea of being an American patriot. Thus, at the end of the movie, the female American agent helping Henry returns to government service. GEMINI MAN also promotes doing the right thing and having the liberty to choose one’s vocation and purpose in life.

These positive elements are marred, however, by strong foul language, a lot of violence involving guns and the movie’s theme about assassinating bad guys. Consequently, MOVIEGUIDE® advises extreme caution for GEMINI MAN.

Notice: All forms on this website are temporarily down for maintenance. You will not be able to complete a form to request information or a resource. We apologize for any inconvenience and will reactivate the forms as soon as possible.

• DVD & Streaming
• Action/Adventure , Drama , Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Content Caution

In Theaters

• October 11, 2019
• Will Smith as Henry Brogan/Junior; Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Danny Zakarweski; Clive Owen as Clay Verris; Douglas Hodge as Jack Willis; Benedict Wong as Baron; Ralph Brown as Del Patterson; Linda Emond as Janet Lassiter

Home Release Date

• December 24, 2019

Distributor

• Paramount Pictures

Movie Review

Most of us would like to feel like we’re the best at something: The best lawyer in the state, the best softball player in high school, earn that “World’s Best Mom” coffee cup. (Me, I want to be the very best swear-word-counting Christian movie reviewer at Plugged In . No one can tabulate profanities like I can, no matter what Bob Hoose says.)

Well, Henry Brogan is the best: The best at killing people.

Admittedly, he doesn’t have a coffee cup that says so. He hasn’t received any “Year’s Best Hit Man” plaques during National Assassin Convention dinners. But everybody knows he’s pretty good at his job. I’m sure even the people he killed would speak up for his expertise if they could. “Quick!” One would say. “Never saw it coming!” another would add. “Five stars!”

He’s a moral killer, too—or at least so he’d like to believe. He only shoots folks who deserve it: Terrorists, murderers, that sort of thing. He works for the U.S. of A., after all. Sure, technically assassination is pretty illegal in most contexts, but U.S.-sanctioned assassination is as pure and innocent as murder gets. The government would never make Henry do anything untoward.

Or, again, at least so he thought.

For his 72nd government-sanctioned killing, Henry shoots a guy on a train from two kilometers away. Just another day at the office, right? But not for Henry. See, he pegged the guy in the neck: He was aiming for the head. Given that he’s now of an age where he could legitimately ask for senior citizen discounts at Golden Corral, Henry’s wondering whether it might be time to hang up his silencer.

And when he learns that his target might not have been a murderer or terrorist at all, but just a microbiologist working on some super-secret project that some in the government would like to keep super-secret … well, just more reason to walk away.

But here’s the thing about being a government assassin: It’s a really hard job to quit. Voluntarily, at least. When you step away from the hit-man game, your retirement—your permanent retirement—is often forced upon you. Especially when your employers think you might know more than is good for them.

Clay Verris, head of a private military agency known as Gemini, has been working closely with some government officials for quite some time now. As Henry’s former commander, he’s intimitely familiar with the world’s best assassin. He knows that Henry won’t be the easiest guy to (ahem) retire.

But Clay thinks he knows just the right guy for the job: A guy who he created—quite literally—to be Henry’s equal, if not better.

Clay calls him “Junior.” But he doesn’t look anything like Clay. In fact, Junior’s the spitting image of Henry himself—right down to his DNA. Just 25 years younger.

Hey, you can’t be the best at something forever. But your clone? Maybe.

Positive Elements

Obviously, Henry’s career track is pretty problematic. But the movie portrays Henry as a hitman with a conscience. He’s tortured by the “ghosts” of his job to some extent, but he also feels like he’s making the world a safer, better place through what he does. When he learns that some elements in his government have been using him for their own nefarious ends, though, he’s pretty hacked off.

But he’s not all about killing folks. He’s about saving them, too. When he realizes that lots of his closest associates are getting knocked off (as a way for these “elements” to tie up loose ends), he dashes to rescue a young woman named Danny who’d likely be next. And when he finally meets Junior, Henry’s determined to save the wayward lad if he can—even though this wayward lad is equally determined to kill Henry. Henry even protects Junior as Junior is trying to kill him. “Don’t shoot him!” he repeatedly bellows at Danny as Junior throws Henry around.

Spiritual Elements

A scene takes place in an ancient church crypt in Budapest, presumably a Christian one. There’s a reference to how Clay is “playing God with DNA.”

Sexual & romantic Content

Gemini Man seems, inconsistently, to push Danny (who’s in her 20s) and Henry (who’s 51) into a place of romantic tension. Henry asks Danny out and brings her flowers early in their working relationship—by way of apology, the dialogue suggests, but it sure looks like a date. He admits to her that she’s his “type,” but denies any attraction to her. He suggests that Junior may be attracted to her, though. So when Junior forces Danny to strip down to her underwear (ostensibly to search for any wires she might be harboring), the scene feels that much more sexual. (We see Danny in her bra.)

Henry rhetorically asks Junior if he’s still a virgin. We see a woman in a revealing bathing suit in the background—a woman whom one of Henry’s friends is clearly having an affair with. We see men shirtless at times.

Violent Content

Any movie predicated on two assassins is bound to have a little violence attached to it. And as such, Gemini Man is about what we’d expect.

We see several frenetic fight scenes where people are hit, kicked, wrestled to the ground and thrown into walls. They feature both men and women, by the way, and one culminates in one guy getting smashed in the face and (as a result of that hit or others like it off camera) losing several teeth (which the winner dumps into someone else’s hands). People are sometimes stabbed or shot during these melees, too—though with non-lethal force. Another scene involves two guys and, essentially, a weaponized motorcycle: A man gets conked in the face by a back tire, which sends him flying, and he must dodge the vehicle several times.

Lots of people are shot and killed, as well. We see the aftermath of Henry’s last paid kill on shaky phonecam footage: The man is slumped in a train seat, blood on his neck and a splash of blood on the seat back, as people in the car scream and run around. Others die a bit more bloodlessly: Henry surgically eliminates several snipers and assailants surrounding his and other properties. He and others perforate other would-be killers with bullets.

A training exercise depicts lots of people getting shot (and a few showy explosions). Two people are killed on a boat off camera: We see their lifeless bodies dumped into the water. Henry has a fear of drowning, and we see several scenes (often in flashback) showing him struggling or sinking or being held down in the water. A near superhuman man, wearing body armor, is peppered with bullets and explosives and struggles through a burning inferno. Someone dies after his car is blown up by a flying missile. We hear horror stories from Henry’s past, as well as a tally of how many people he’s killed. We’re told that his mother used to whip or spank him often—though, Henry admits, he probably deserved it. Someone cuts into a friend’s arm to remove a tracking device.

Crude or Profane Language

We hear one f-word paired with the word “mother” (and an acronym of the same phrase). Ten s-words are also uttered, as well as words like “h—,” “p–s” and “sucks”. God’s name is paired with “d–n” three times, and Jesus’ name is abused twice.

Drug and Alcohol Content

People drink whiskey, brandy, beer and vodka.

Other noteworthy Elements

[ Spoiler warning ] ”Junior,” the Henry hitman clone, was raised by the evil Clay Verris. He lied to the boy for most of his life about his origins (telling him that he was an orphan and left at a fire station), and Clay’s own motives as a father seem unclear. “He was a weapon,” Clay says, pointing to another soldier under his command. “You are my son.” But it’s pretty clear that he wanted to weaponize Junior, too—turning him into a “better” version of Henrythrough a “loving” parent and stable homelife. This is negative on the surface, but it also might carry extra negative weight for adoptive families: Junior eventually has much more in common, and shows much more affinity for Henry than his adopted dad (albeit with reason).

“Seventy-two kills, Del,” Henry tells his old boss. “That starts to mess with you a little bit.”

And so it should.

On one level, Gemini Man is just what you’d expect from a Will Smith-fronted, PG-13 actioner: A charismatic lead. Lots of action. Not much depth. The gimmick here—the fact that Smith essentially co-stars with a younger version of himself, courtesy of CGI—is an interesting one, even if “Junior” looks and feels a little less than fully human.

But dig a little deeper, and the film feels more problematic. There’s more swearing than you’d expect from a light action flick, and some gratuitous sensuality that could’ve been easily avoided. And while the action isn’t particularly bloody, there’s certainly a lot of it.

Moreover, we must grapple with the film’s hero—a hitman who just wants to retire. The film takes pains to paint Henry as a nice guy—a killer with a conscience. And that’s great. But he’s a killer nevertheless. And there’s really no overarching moral or point in play to redeem the character or inspire those of us in the audience to be better people.

Actioners don’t always require this, of course. Most of the Mission Impossible films don’t have much of a point either. But most of them are better movies than Gemini Man , and so the lack of reason here feels more glaring, and more disappointing. Despite its clever central gimmick, Gemini Man feels a little more tedious and tawdry than it ought. And it’s not a movie that I’d want to clone.

Paul Asay has been part of the Plugged In staff since 2007, watching and reviewing roughly 15 quintillion movies and television shows. He’s written for a number of other publications, too, including Time, The Washington Post and Christianity Today. The author of several books, Paul loves to find spirituality in unexpected places, including popular entertainment, and he loves all things superhero. His vices include James Bond films, Mountain Dew and terrible B-grade movies. He’s married, has two children and a neurotic dog, runs marathons on occasion and hopes to someday own his own tuxedo. Feel free to follow him on Twitter @AsayPaul.

Latest Reviews

Borderlands

Weekly Reviews Straight to your Inbox!

Want to stay Plugged In?

Our weekly newsletter will keep you in the loop on the biggest things happening in entertainment and technology. Sign up today, and we’ll send you a chapter from the new Plugged In book, Becoming a Screen-Savvy Family , that focuses on how to implement a “screentime reset” in your family!

Director: Ang Lee

Writers: David Benioff, Billy Ray, Darren Lemke

Composer: Lorne Balfe

Starring: Will Smith, Will Smith, Clive Owen, Mary Elizabeth Winstead

Genre: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi

Gemini Man  is one of those films that causes a stir; not because anyone is interested in the plot, but because of its varied formats. There are many different ways to experience this film (if you can find the right cinema), whether it’s in 3D, in 120 frames per second, or both. In Sydney there’s even 4D.

While it’s always a pleasure to see a director experimenting with the technical elements of filmmaking, it’s unusual in this day and age. Audiences are moving away from the novelty of 3D, to the extent that even 4D sessions may not even feature that format, stripping the experience back to merely being a 2D screening with moving seats.

“We had a lot of people who didn’t like 3D. So now 3D isn’t a guarantee for 4D sessions,” the manager for Sydney’s Event Cinemas, George Street informed me. Yeah… See, I booked tickets for the 4D, thinking I would get the full experience–3D, high frame rate, moving seats, everything! Found out the hard way that I didn’t pay close enough attention to the session information when I discovered that my 3D glasses “weren’t working.” Disappointed that I didn’t end up watching the film in its “full glory” as Ang Lee intended, I then had to book the 3D Hfr session and watch the movie again. Turns out these sessions are super rare in the States (there are only a handful of cinemas that can screen 120 fps), making me one of the few people in the world that can actually compare the two versions. Yep, trying to turn the fact that I ended up paying twice for this movie into a positive here…

Content Guide

Violence/Scary Images: Multiple gunfights resulting in death. Martial arts sequences. Two characters try to kill each other using motorcycles. Grenade explosions. A character is set alight with flames. Little in way of blood; small amounts are used to denote gunshot entry wounds, and there are close ups on deep grazes across the skin. One scene is set within the catacombs underneath the city, where skulls and other human bones are seen adorning the walls.

Language/Crude Humor: The f-bomb is dropped rarely, whilst the s-word is spoken infrequently throughout the film. God and Jesus’ names are used in vain. Lesser swear such as “a*s” and its variations, and “h*ll” are also said.

Drug/Alcohol References: One character smokes a cigar. There is a brief discussion about preferring to drink alcohol to soda. People are seen consuming alcohol in social settings.

Sexual Content: A female character is asked to strip down to her underwear in order to check for a wiretap. She is not sexually objectified.

Spiritual Content: There are loose conversations revolving around the importance of maintaining a healthy conscience, by avoiding traumatically violent deeds, and instead leading a more wholesome, traditional life.

Other Negative Content:  The film deals heavily within the shady realm of espionage and assassinations, yet never passes any real judgement on the ethics of these practices.

Positive Content:  The film’s message promotes the idea that all life is equal, particularly in regards to humans produced through cloning technology. It touches on the ethical quandaries regarding eugenics.

Gemini Man  is a film that examines the two sides of the same coin, both on screen and behind the camera. While Will Smith’s character, Henry Brogan, questions the ethics of cloning, director Ang Lee set about creating the next best thing; a computer generated download of the Fresh Prince. There is a certain irony when the plot is assessed alongside the experimental technical elements. It’s a story that has been sweating on the studio’s backburner for the past twenty years, paired with the most innovative filmmaking techniques to date, amusingly reflecting the narrative it’s telling.

Much like the iconic 80s, the further we distance ourselves from the 90s, the easier it is to summarize and define the era. Set within an unbelievable world full of top-secret military missions, assassinations, and espionage, this fictional landscape seems all too familiar, witnessed in countless other movies. It’s glossy yet shallow, presenting a veneer of intelligent conversations while only occasionally offering an action sequence to break up the extensive exposition. Our worldwide concerns and personal cinematic tastes have changed over the last few decades, which might be one reason why Gemini Man ’s story feels dated.

It’s poorly told for one. Like many other recent films, the trailer gives away the crux of the plot. Yet from a marketing perspective, they had no choice–it’s a story that’s impossible to advertise without spoiling that aspect of it. However, what’s surprising is the trailer hints towards a more suspenseful plot than what is actually seen in the movie. Maybe the trailer really did steal every ounce of mystery  Gemini Man  had to offer, or maybe there are more interesting ways this story could have been edited that simply weren’t explored.

On the first watch, the dense plot withconversation after conversation detailing past events and character backstories that is sometimes hard to follow. It commits the narrative crime of telling and not showing. A far more interesting film would have featured a flashback or two of Henry Brogan’s action-packed glory days. Exposition dumps are forgivable and sometimes necessary. Yet this is only when they’re written well. Gemini Man  genuinely features bad dialogue. Not only is the audience overloaded with tedious backstories that could have been depicted visually, but also a lot of detail is redundant. Metaphors involving the internal conflict of the characters are painfully obvious and pathetically contrived, while the action of the plot is spelled out just in case anyone had any questions regarding the process of cloning.

It tries too hard to insert depth to an instinctually unlikeable character. The film relies too much on the goodwill of the audience; that we’ll have sympathy for Henry Brogan’s plight to retire purely because he is played by a famous, well-liked actor, or simply because the character literally says he has a conscience multiple times. Yet Brogan’s stakes feel weak. He’s not some innocent underdog who’s worked hard all his life and just wants to rest. Brogan is a killer and appears to be privy to a life of luxury. He’s not like John Wick who is dragged back into a horrible criminal underworld through traumatic circumstances. It’s difficult to love Henry Brogan when his life is so different, economically, socially, and even emotionally.

Although it is refreshing to watch a platonic relationship for once.

Yet by far the biggest problem is the lack of thematic weight. Most of the  runtime is dedicated to exploring the shallow end of the premise, though five minutes till the end, we’re treated to a speech from the villain that offers up a potentially juicy concept. It’s a shame that the narrative withheld that point of view for so long, as it’s infinitely more exciting to ponder. Yet the hope of a strong finale dims quickly, as we’re treated with an additional twist that manages to successfully undermine character motivations, actions, and create entire plot holes. Wow. At least the fight scene at the end is good?

The fight choreography and cinematography are fairly impressive. Ang Lee opts for longer takes, not jump cutting a bazillion times like other films from this genre or story’s era. Though the fight sequences are few and far between. It makes for a lackluster 4D experience, where the cinema’s motion developers desperately search for an excuse to poke the audience during these long inactive intervals, resorting to vibrating the seats whenever Brogan gets an SMS. However when the action finally arrives, feeling the multitude of bullets whizz past your head is rather exhilarating. Regardless, Gemini Man  is a poor choice of film for the 4D format, due to the overwhelming amount of time this action flick spends on the internal and not external conflict.

But what about the 3D format and Gemini Man ’s crazily ambitious frame rate at 120 frames per second? When it comes to 3D, Gemini Man is one of the better films in the market. The high frame rate makes the image extraordinarily crisp, where the frame appears to have a realistic depth of field no matter the type of lens on the camera. There are no gimmicks in this aspect–nothing jumps out of the screen like one might see in an animated movie. It’s simply engaging to watch and not too distracting.

Then there’s the high frame rate…

The results are mixed. It’s not terribly noticeable in the slower scenes where two characters are merely having a conversation. Some of the drone footage used for establishing shots feels too rapid to be fully appreciated by the human eye. But it’s the action sequences that are really hit and miss.

There is an odd familiarity to the quality–it is reminiscent of first person shooter games. Indeed, there are a few shots that are taken from that perspective. The high frame rate unnaturally quickens the pace, making the action feel that little bit more chaotic, almost as though it’s reflecting the character’s heightened sense of anxiety. In this way, you can possibly see a future use for this type of technology.

The fight choreography is smooth and fluid, yet the CGI is made all the more obvious. There is a cartoonish quality that reeks of falseness that is absent in the 2D version. Yet when it comes to the technology surrounding Junior-the CGI recreation of Will Smith–it mostly holds up, even under the scrutiny of an absurdly high and detailed frame rate. It’s the best we’ve seen to date, though it is dependent on how the frame is lit. There are a few scenes in broad daylight where Junior has an uncanny valley effect going on (though this is also noticeable in the 2D version).

Every inch of Will Smith’s face was mapped, and hours of past footage of the actor was compiled in order to recreate a younger version.

In the end, the 3D HFR version is the better one to watch if possible, though it’s mainly because it adds a novelty factor to an otherwise bland and sometimes boring movie. The actors do their best to entertain, but even seasoned performers like Clive Owen seem melodramatic when the story suffers from illogical progression, the dialogue is cringe worthy, and there is little to no character development. Will Smith offers up a great performance as both Brogan and Junior, though the latter feels too emotional at times within a story that’s devoid of such a response.

If there’s anything to be gained from Gemini Man , it’s an appreciation that such a movie needs to exist in order for future films to refine the application of such ground breaking technology. Like the recent Lion King , it serves as a tech demo, aiming to make enough money so that a lesser known, riskier project has the means to take the concept further. Unfortunately, unlike Lion King , Gemini Man  won’t be making the same level of income, making the whole exercise feel like an excuse for Ang Lee to play with his new toys. With so few cinemas in the United States equipped to handle such experimentations, we’re unlikely to see another project such as this. Though given how utterly unmemorable every other aspect of this film is, it’s a factor that won’t be missed.

The Bottom Line

Juliana purnell, leave a comment cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

GDPR & CCPA:

Privacy overview.

2019 is becoming the year of the CGI-faced actor. After computer based de-aging technology took decades off the cast of “ The Irishman ,” “Gemini Man” has employed this same technique to turn “ Collateral Beauty ” Will Smith into “Six Degrees of Separation” Will Smith. Granted, the F/X folks had to pull fewer decades off the Fresh Prince, so the effect looks a bit better. Plus they gave his younger stand-in much sharper cheekbones than he had in 1993, an enhancement that wasn’t necessary but was probably welcome. Director Ang Lee ’s sci-fi actioner uses even more CGI to pit Young Will against Old Will in a convoluted plot about assassins, corrupt intelligence agencies and the old stand-by that’s currently getting beaten to death by “ Ad Astra ,” daddy issues.

Quite honestly, I didn’t know what to think of “Gemini Man” once the credits started rolling. I neither hated it nor liked it. Well, I hated one aspect of it, which I should get out of the way now because it will probably not affect most ticket-buyers. Paramount presented the critics’ screening in the format Ang Lee made it, 120 frames per second and in 3-D. Lee’s prior film, “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk,” also used this frame rate. As a point of reference using a more familiar movie, “The Hobbit” series ran at 48 frames per second. At five times the original rate of film running through the projector, “Gemini Man” looks radically different than most movies. It also looks astonishingly bad. Tom Cruise , Paramount’s current bread and butter, made a video scolding mere mortals like a Southern grandmother for using the motion smoothing setting on their televisions. Yet 120 frames per second looks  exactly like motion smoothing . In fact, it looks worse, like a hellish cross between a video game and a telenovela. It’s so obnoxious that I know of two critics who walked out after 30 minutes.

Story-wise, Smith plays Henry Brogan, a highly skilled assassin working for an intelligence agency run by Janet Lassiter ( Linda Emond ). Brogan is so good he can hit a target on a moving train from hundreds of feet away. A target on a train whose tracks curve wildly toward the screen as it flies by at unimaginable speed. Brogan’s mark takes it in the neck rather than the intended head shot, and though it’s still a lethal wound, Brogan sees this as the final nail in the coffin of his career. He retires, returning to a boat dock where his normal boat renting guy has been replaced by Danny Zakarweski ( Mary Elizabeth Winstead ). As spies are wont to do, Brogan expresses suspicion about this change. Is she a plant sent to keep tabs on him, perhaps an employee of Lassiter’s frenemy colleague Clay Verris ( Clive Owen )?

Of course, nothing is as it seems in movies like this. After colleagues start being murdered and Brogan learns that his last target was merely a scientist and not a terrorist, he goes on the run with Danny who, as expected, is also an agent. When Lassiter’s attempts to neutralize Brogan fail miserably, Clay overrides her and executes something called “ Gemini .” You don’t have to be an astrologer to know that Gemini involves the aforementioned younger version of Smith, dubbed Junior. Lee does an excellent job with Junior’s reveal and the ensuing motorcycle battle, the most exciting sequence in the film. The first-person perspective really works here, as does the clever way the Smiths use their vehicles as weapons. Lee even throws in an homage to John Woo (who would have been a better choice for this material), though he uses pigeons instead of doves.

“Gemini Man” knows you’re there to see a battle of Wills, so it gives us multiple sequences where 51-year old Brogan goes toe-to-toe with his younger self. The elder Brogan has the advantage; the wisdom of age and experience prevents him from making the same youthful mistakes he once made, mistakes Junior is making for the first time. Unfortunately, the second battle takes place in a dark catacomb where the effects are so quickly edited that you can’t figure out which version is beating the hell out of the other. It also takes forever for Brogan to realize that Junior looks exactly like him. Maybe it’s the new cheekbones.

The screenplay by Billy Ray , Darren Lemke and “Game of Thrones”’ David Benioff is more in service to the numerous technological aspects Lee is juggling than any human element. It uses Brogan’s intentionally closed-off, emotionless personality as a crutch to avoid any meaningful fleshing out of characters and relationships. The always-welcome Benedict Wong shows up to supply his usual humorous line-readings and jovial nature—he’s a fine purveyor of the perfect best friend trope—and Winstead gets to kick some major ass instead of being a stereotypical girl Friday, but neither truly registers as a fully realized human being. The relationship between Junior and Clay (which I won’t reveal) serves as an attempt at emotional connection, but their entire plotline plays like a Hitler-less version of Ira Levin ’s “The Boys From Brazil.” The reasoning behind Junior and the Gemini project is far more trouble than it is worth.

“Gemini Man” never pretends to be anything but a time-wasting contraption hoping to entertain its viewer. I can’t reasonably be mad at its honesty, and despite the horrendous dialogue its actors are often forced to speak, I found myself enjoying a fair amount of it. But Ang Lee is the rare director who can invest an action movie with the same strong emotional heft he brought to his dramas like “ Brokeback Mountain .” “ Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon ” is a great example of this. His recent desire to be at the forefront of frame-based technology, however, is resulting in hollow, empty experiences that are literally hard to watch. Perhaps the Gemini project could be used to send the Ang Lee who made “ The Wedding Banquet ” to visit the Ang Lee who made this. Break his high-frame rate camera, Junior.

Odie Henderson

Odie “Odienator” Henderson has spent over 33 years working in Information Technology. He runs the blogs Big Media Vandalism and Tales of Odienary Madness. Read his answers to our Movie Love Questionnaire  here .

• Will Smith as Henry Brogen
• Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Danny
• Clive Owen as Clay Verris
• Benedict Wong as Baron
• Linda Emond as Lassiter
• Theodora Miranne as Kitty
• Justin James Boykin as Connor
• Alexandra Szucs as Aniko
• Darren Lemke
• David Benioff

Writer (story)

Cinematographer.

• Lorne Balfe
• Tim Squyres

Leave a comment

Now playing.

Piece by Piece

Merchant Ivory

The Deliverance

City of Dreams

Out Come the Wolves

Seeking Mavis Beacon

Across the River and Into the Trees

Latest articles.

Telluride Film Festival 2024: Memories for a Lifetime

Let The Dead Sleep: On “Alien Romulus” and Digital Resurrection

Short Films in Focus: Young People, Old People and Nothing In Between

TIFF 2024: 20 World Premieres We Can’t Wait to See

The best movie reviews, in your inbox.

Flickering Myth

Geek Culture | Movies, TV, Comic Books & Video Games

Movie Review – Gemini Man (2019)

October 10, 2019 by Robert Kojder

Gemini Man , 2019.

Directed by Ang Lee. Starring Will Smith, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Clive Owen, Benedict Wong, Linda Emond, Theodora Miranne, Justin James Boykin, Alexandra Szucs, and Douglas Hodge.

An over-the-hill hitman faces off against a younger clone of himself.

There are only two semi-intriguing scenes in Gemini Man , and neither of them involves an aged hitman squaring off against a cloned younger version of himself or the much-touted 120 frames per second technology (Chicago press was not screened the film in this format but it’s unquestionably clear that the action is designed with those cameras in mind to enhance the immersion). Director Ang Lee has dabbled in this technology before, most inexplicably with the PTSD/Super Bowl halftime show drama Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk (which was also not screened for Chicago press the way one would think it was meant to be seen), yielding no real results or strong positive and negative reactions. At times during that film, it was difficult to connect to any of the drama.

Now, Ang Lee has thrived as a groundbreaking visual filmmaker, but lately he’s losing his touch on how to weave in the advancement of modern-day technology with compelling narratives (just take a look at his Oscar-nominated work The Life of Pi for proof that there is a genius mind behind these concepts), and more specifically, human drama that allows audiences to relate. Instead, the filmmaker is sticking with blistering framerates (for perspective, the highest that most video games can run at are usually 60) and now taking a crack at doing something of substance with de-aging technology. Gemini Man immediately has two things going for it; higher framerate technology is promising for a globetrotting action-adventure, and the novelty of Will Smith battling a fresher, more agile, emotionally suppressed, and younger version of himself.

Unfortunately, Gemini Man doesn’t reach its full potential; it doesn’t even come close. Skill in the director’s chair is present with Ang Lee, but there is an overstuffed writer’s room with one name, in particular, sticking out; David Benioff, responsible for the many ups and downs of Game of Thrones (the final season is not the flat-out disaster certain corners of the world staunchly assert it to be, but it’s evident that he is not necessarily a good writer and fails spectacularly at covering up gaps in logic during action sequences, which is actually a problem in Gemini Man as well) and sewing Deadpool’s mouth shut in X-Men Origins: Wolverine . That’s not to say he is the only one at fault here, but too much of Gemini Man is fixated on government agents to train one another, framing other countries, double-crosses, and general nonsense that has nothing to do with watching Will Smith interact with his fish-out-of-water clone.

Henry (Will Smith) has handlers, buddies, superiors, former acquaintances, and more with basically none of the supporting characters registering as anything but an exposition dump or distraction from the meat of the story. The only exception is Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Danny, a woman employed to spy on Henry who quickly becomes entangled into a much more dangerous situation, except the script treats her as a fighter in her own right rather than a damsel in distress for Henry to save that a retrograde 1980s version of Gemini Man would do. She doesn’t necessarily have a meaningful character arc and does serve as somewhat of a pointless love interest, but it’s also plain fun watching her hold her own against generic militia bad guys. At one point she even becomes bait to relay information to the younger Henry, and even though she’s technically in captivity there’s always the sense that she has the upper hand within the dynamic. Meanwhile, Clive Owen is hamming it up in charge of the cloning experiments, and while there is slightly more on his mind than creating super-soldiers, his justifications are weak and so glossed over that there’s nothing thoughtful to take away.

The action in Gemini Man is overly stylized, boasting a motorcycle chase ending with attacks so meticulously crafted that it actually becomes unintentionally hilarious watching older Henry evade them. Silliness aside, it is entertaining to watch, especially the hand-to-hand combat fights that are naturally the best route for expressing how truly matched the clones are. It also helps that the introduction to younger Henry fantastically succeeds at portraying him as a force to be reckoned with, having him bounce around all over the environment horizontally and vertically with precise and swift movements that mirror someone running around in an online multiplayer video game (an obvious example of where the higher framerate technology probably would have given the excitement a little extra kick).

To address the elephant in the room, the de-aging special-effects/CGI creation of Will Smith looks excellent; the only distraction is the inherent knowledge that one is watching something revolutionary and lifelike made possible by computers. In motion, it’s not a smooth as it could be (which is probably why there are so many faraway shots of younger Henry zipping around areas) and the nighttime atmosphere is relied on to hide muddy aesthetics, although, for technology that is still very much in its infancy, the results are effective enough.

So what are the only worthwhile moments of Gemini Man ? The decision to give younger Henry a conscience (rather than go the machine path with the character) allows for sections of Henry literally conversing with a younger version of himself. Aside from desperately attempting to make the super-soldier realize he is a replacement weapon, Henry reflects on his life, gives advice, lays out his mistakes, and generally has discussions that I’m sure most of us wish we could have with our past selves. Of course, the bottomless charisma of Will Smith is the paramount reason this element works in the first place. It’s an example of that aforementioned human drama Ang Lee is capable of but has here abandoned for wonky stylistic action and blasé government scheming.

Flickering Myth Rating  – Film: ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★

Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association and the Flickering Myth Reviews Editor. Check  here  for new reviews, friend me on Facebook, follow my  Twitter  or  Letterboxd , check out my personal non-Flickering Myth affiliated  Patreon , or email me at [email protected]

FMTV – Watch Our Latest Video Here

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

Forgotten Horror Movie Sequels You Never Need to See

What If? Five Marvel Movies That Were Almost Made

Hellboy: Guillermo del Toro’s Occult Superhero Fantasy at 20

Robin of Sherwood: Still the quintessential take on the Robin Hood legend

The Enviable “Worst” Films of David Fincher

Lawmen: Bass Reeves: What the TV Show Doesn’t Say About the Real Bass Reeves

Dust in the Eye: Ten Tear-Jerking Moments in Action Movies

The Most Overlooked Horror Movies of the 1990s

Essential Gothic Horror Movies To Scare You Senseless

The Essential Movies About Memory

• Comic Books
• Video Games
• Toys & Collectibles
• Articles and Opinions
• Flickering Myth Films
• About Flickering Myth
• Write for Flickering Myth
• Advertise on Flickering Myth
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy

Screen Rant

Gemini man review: where there's a will, there's another one.

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

Tom Hardy Crime Thriller Becomes Streaming Hit After $35M Box Office Disappointment

10 things that make no sense about obi-wan kenobi, how top gun: maverick's "unsafe" & "dangerous" training scene is realistic explained by real fighter pilot, thanks to some strong work by smith and its better set pieces, gemini man partly succeeds at overcoming its bland plot and occasionally iffy visuals..

Out of all the previous entries in Ang Lee's eclectic filmography, his newest movie, Gemini Man , hews the closest to his 2003 comic book adaptation Hulk . Both are based on inherently goofy sci-fi premises, feature gifted protagonists with daddy issues, and are hit-and-miss when it comes to their cutting-edge technical elements. Gemini Man has the simpler story and themes of the pair, but is less self-serious than Hulk and bolstered by its Will Smith performances. It's still too talky and slow for its own good, though, and is unlikely to change most people's feelings about high frame rate cinematography. Thanks to some strong work by Smith and its better set pieces, Gemini Man partly succeeds at overcoming its bland plot and occasionally iffy visuals.

Smith stars in Gemini Man as Henry Brogan, an elite but aging U.S. government assassin who decides to retire after growing disillusioned with his work. However, when he discovers his final job wasn't what it seemed, Henry finds himself being hunted by a mysterious and younger hitman whose skillset resembles his own. With help from a federal agent named Danny Zakarweski (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and his old buddy Baron (Benedict Wong), Henry discovers the unsettling truth: this enigmatic killer is his 23-year old clone and a member of GEMINI, the top-secret black ops unit headed by Henry's former boss, Clayton Varris (Clive Owen). But can he get his younger self to see the truth before he makes the same mistakes as Henry did?

Gemini Man entered development in the late 1990s and ultimately passed through several directors, actors, and writers' hands before Lee signed on to call the shots with Smith starring in 2017. The original script by Darren Lemke ( Shazam! ) has since been revised by people like David Benioff and Bill Ray (who share writing credit with Lemke), but the final movie result still plays out like the sort of ridiculous high-concept thriller that was all the rage in the '90s. It's refreshing in a way, though, and gives the film's cast - especially Owen as the big bad Varris - room to ham it up while delivering loads of exposition and even a handful of one-liners. The problem is that Gemini Man 's pulpier aspects tend to clash with Lee's more ruminative approach, giving rise to a movie that's never quite the thrill ride nor the reflective drama it wants to be.

For all the scenes of characters discussing what's happening and explaining their motivations, the actual plot of Gemini Man is very basic and doesn't dive all that deeply into the questions its setup raises about nature vs. nurture and what someone could teach the younger version of themselves (or vice versa). Admittedly, this does leave more space for the action, including a stylized shoot-out turned motorcycle chase sequence on the streets of Cartagena and an equally superhero-esque tussle between Henry and his clone that makes a mess of the poor catacombs in Budapest. Lee and his cinematographer Dion Beebe ( Edge of Tomorrow ) film the spectacle in a clean fashion, but the HFR photography ( Gemini Man was shot digitally at 120 frames per second) makes it harder for them to disguise their moviemaking tricks and unintentionally calls attention to the moments where Smith has been replaced with a CGI double. It also requires natural lighting that muddles the scenes set at night (though a close-quarter fight featuring Winstead is still good enough to leave you excited to watch her suit up as Huntress in next year's Birds of Prey ).

"Junior", aka. Henry's clone, is obviously Gemini Man 's main attraction, but like the rest of the film he's a bit of mixed bag. The character is a completely digital creation brought to life by Smith through motion-capture (so, technically, the actor wasn't "de-aged" for the movie) and is frequently convincing, but still falls into the uncanny valley too often to fully work. He's an impressive feat of CGI all the same and shows just far that technology has come since it was used to transform Jeff Bridges into the zombie-faced CLU in TRON: Legacy nine years ago. Smith is the reason the effect works as well as it does, however, as he's able to distinguish the less experienced and more vulnerable "Junior" from the soulful and world-weary Henry with his facial mannerisms alone. His efforts are complimented by his costars' fine work here, with Wong especially bringing a welcome touch of humor and charm to the proceedings.

Despite its video game-style narrative (there's even a first person POV oner in a key moment), Gemini Man is arguably more successful - or, at the very least, more entertaining - than Lee's prior HFR filmmaking experiment, Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk . Of course, it still has a lot of the same technical problems, and its effects aren't consistent enough to support the argument that digitally "de-aging" actors is a superior approach to simply casting two similar-looking people to play the same character (or them and their double) at different ages. Most theaters won't be screening  Gemini Man at a high frame rate anyway, so all that element does is weaken a movie that otherwise benefits from being seen on the big screen (for those who're interested). And in the end, it means the film supports its own message - that you can't just replace someone with a newer and shinier version of themselves (literal or figurative) - in ways that are not entirely intentional.

Gemini Man  is now playing in U.S. theaters. It is 117 minutes long and is rated PG-13 for violence and action throughout, and brief strong language.

Will Smith pulls double duty in Ang Lee's Gemini Man as retired sniper Henry Brogan, whose biggest enemy turns out to be a younger clone of himself. Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Benedict Wong, and Clive Owen round out the main cast of this 2019 action thriller.

Key Release Dates

• Movie Reviews
• 2.5 star movies

Film Review: Will Smith in ‘Gemini Man’

The bizarre combination of flesh-and-blood star Will Smith, his much younger digital clone, director Ang Lee and Jerry Bruckheimer makes for a high-concept misfire.

By Peter Debruge

Peter Debruge

Chief Film Critic

• ‘¡Casa Bonita Mi Amor!’ Review: Trey Parker and Matt Stone Bite Off More Than Expected Restoring a Bad-Taste Restaurant 26 mins ago
• ‘Better Man’ Review: Robbie Williams Biopic Would Be a Snooze, but for the Wild Choice to Depict Him as a Chimp 2 days ago
• ‘Nickel Boys’ Review: RaMell Ross Breaks Free of Reform-School Tropes, but Loses the Plot in the Process 2 days ago

Sharpshooter assassin Henry Brogan is 51 years old. Time to call it quits, he figures, popping the 72nd kill of his career from what looks to be at least a mile away. Only Brogan can make a shot like that. But his conscience is starting to catch up with him, and now he’s going to retire, build birdhouses back home in Georgia, or whatever movie characters plan to do in their pension years. Seems like a waste of a very specific talent, but don’t worry. Before Brogan can attend his first Bingo night, the agency that employed him sends the highest-concept killer imaginable to wipe him out: Junior, a quarter-century-younger clone of Brogan.

In theory, “Gemini Man” offers quite the novelty, a chance to witness an older A-list star ( Will Smith ) face off against a deadly computer-generated version of himself (who looks like the zombie double for Smith, circa “Bad Boys,” minus his signature “Aw hell, naw” charisma). In practice, it’s been a nearly impossible project to get made, passing through the hands of countless actors and falling through multiple times because the technology wasn’t there yet. At least, that’s been the excuse, although judging by the finished product, it was the script that never lived up to the promise of its premise.

Related Stories

Why Studios Still Haven’t Licensed Movies and TV Shows to Train AI

Venice's 'The Witness' Adds Sales, Trailer Debuts, Director Talks Iran Situation, Working With Jafar Panahi (EXCLUSIVE)

After a 22-year incubation period — enough time that, had the filmmakers known how long it would take, they could have shot the clone scenes in 1997 and then cast the same actor to play the older character two decades later — “Gemini Man” is a case in which an awful lot of effort has gone into making an awfully lazy action movie. Once considered one of his generation’s great humanists, director Ang Lee has grown distracted of late by the nuts and bolts, focusing much of his attention on higher frame rates (as seen in “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk”), stereoscopic 3D (“Life of Pi”) and entirely CG characters. That tendency has always been there for Lee, as evidenced by the dreamy, gravity-defying fight scenes of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” and the experimental comic book montage of 2003’s “Hulk.” As a director, he’s constantly challenging himself. But he’s usually a far better judge of material, just as producer Jerry Bruckheimer tends to work with more pyrotechnic helmers (he originally intended for Tony Scott to steer this one).

As credited to screenwriters David Benioff, Billy Ray and Darren Lemke, the basic concept here doesn’t even make sense. Twenty-five years ago, unbeknownst to Brogan, a privatized paramilitary profiteer, Clay Verris (Clive Owen), extracted a sample of the top assassin’s DNA and cloned him, raising the test-tube replica as his own son. Junior was to be the prototype for a new breed of super-soldier, although bizarrely (if the film’s own flimsy plot is to be believed), Verris never put the clone into mass production. Instead, he trained this lone replica to be even more ruthless than Brogan, somehow keeping the project top-secret for 25 years (despite the company’s dead-giveaway “Gemini” moniker), until such time that he could order the young knockoff to hunt down and rub out the original. Surely there’s something Freudian in that, although the movie remains fairly superficial when it comes to psychology.

A decade back, critics slammed James Cameron’s visionary “Avatar” for its screenplay shortcomings, although I felt at the time that the technology (photoreal 10-foot blue-skinned alien characters, animated via performance capture and rendered in 3D) was so revolutionary that it actually worked to the film’s benefit that Cameron was basically retelling “Dances With Wolves” in space. With “Gemini Man,” Lee sets out to be every bit as radical, but his innovations overwhelm the experience.

For example, there’s the frame rate issue, which eliminates the flicker we subconsciously associate with shot-on-film films (a good thing) and replaces it with the ultra-crisp vaguely underwater sway of hi-def motion-smoothing TV sets. The result is a kind of ersatz hyper-reality where our brains feel obliged to absorb more information than they typically would from every shot, to the extent that we start to pick up on the presence of fake-looking props, badly traced greenscreen halos and out-of-sync extras, all of which shift the attention away from Brogan’s run — but not enough to overlook the litany of holes in the movie’s Swiss-cheesy plot. Each scene seems to present half a dozen freshly frustrating leaps of logic and dum-dum lines like “It’s possible: All you really need is a DNA sample and a surrogate mother” hardly suffice to sell the science.

On paper, Verris’ plan to use Junior to bump off Brogan sets up the tantalizing prospect of watching Will Smith fight himself — and sure enough, that makes for two great set-pieces, one a cross-Cartagena motorcycle chase composed of striking long takes and impressive in-camera choreography, the other a clumsier brute-strength battle in the underlit catacombs of Budapest. But unlike the Captain America battle in last spring’s “Avengers: Endgame” (in which old Glamour Pants jumped back in time and wound up squaring off against a more idealistic version of himself), these two warriors are not in fact the same person.

To assume that Junior can anticipate Brogan’s every move simply because they have the same genes is to blatantly reject the notion that upbringing plays any role in the individuals we become — and is inconsistent with the idea that Verris deploys him without revealing who his target even is. “Gemini Man” returns multiple times to the idea that Brogan has reached a point where he can hardly look at himself in the mirror, which presumably makes it tough to confront this youthful reminder of the never-questioning killer he used to be.

Evidently, the character’s late-career maturity is more accurately reflected by his relationship with fellow Defense Intelligence Agency operative Danny Zakarweski (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), who represents the kind of romantic prospects Brogan has always denied himself — and which he now wishes for his evil clone to experience. At 51, Smith doesn’t seem that old, which leaves one wondering how the dynamic might have been different had Harrison Ford or Sean Connery taken the part, playing a version of the character who might die nobly while somehow liberating his brainwashed doppelgänger.

As for Junior, well, Smith’s virtual clone comes off as precisely that at first: a second-rate digital facsimile. Considering how convincing other 100% CG characters have been over the past decade — from Andy Serkis’ menagerie of fantastical alter egos to Marvel’s hyper-expressive Ultron to the big-eyed android Alita earlier this year — it’s jarring at first to accept this faux prince of Bel-Air as a substitute for the real deal.

Maybe it’s the difference between believing a not-quite-humanoid character and one meant to represent a real-life personality whose face we know so well, although the uncanny valley wasn’t such an obstacle for Benjamin Button, and it wasn’t nearly so difficult to embrace Smith as the blue-skinned Genie in Disney’s live-action “Aladdin.” Here, there’s something off about his mouth, a slight lag to the way his lips move, like watching a hologram or a video game character. And yet, just as Junior gets his chance to redeem himself in the good guys’ eyes, so too does he win us over, incrementally, in a series of dramatic scenes that call for the kind of finely calibrated forehead-creasing, eye-narrowing nuance that’s missing early on. No doubt, this CG cloning technology will continue to evolve. But as “Gemini Man” makes clear, there’s only one Will Smith. Accept no substitutes.

More from Will Smith:

Reviewed at Paramount screening room, Los Angeles, Sept. 25, 2019. (In Zurich Film Festival.) MPAA Rating: PG-13. Running time: 117 MIN.

• Production: A Paramount Pictures release, presented with Skydance, Jerry Bruckheimer Films, in association with Fosun Pictures, of a Skydance production. Producers: Jerry Bruckheimer, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Don Granger. Executive producers: Chad Oman, Mike Stenson, Brian Bell, Guo Guangchang, Don Murphy. Co-producers: David Lee, Melissa Reid.
• Crew: Director: Ang Lee. Screenplay: David Benioff, Billy Ray, Darren Lemke; story: Lemki, Benioff. Camera (color, 60 fps): Dion Beebe. Editor: Tim Squyres. Music: Lorne Balfe.
• With: Will Smith, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Clive Owen, Benedict Wong.

More from Variety

Dear Beyoncé and Taylor: Thanks for Staying Home. The DNC Benefited From Treating Musicians as Opening Acts, Not Headliners

First Paramount, Now SiriusXM: Can Warren Buffett’s Media Investments Be Trusted?

Beyoncé, Zach Bryan, Kacey Musgraves, Shaboozey Among Leading Nominees for ‘People’s Choice Country’ Second Annual Awards

High-Resolution 8K Has Its Places, but TV Might Not Be One of Them

More from our brands,  elton john reveals ‘severe’ eye infection impacted his vision in one eye.

This Ford GT Prototype Is the Only One of Its Kind Left. It’s Now up for Grabs.

Tennis Serves Up Stock Market Ace as Sportico Index Hits 12-Month High

The Best Loofahs and Body Scrubbers, According to Dermatologists

Agatha All Along: Kathryn Hahn Talks ‘Charged’ Aubrey Plaza Scenes, Series’ Mare of Easttown Homage (VIDEO)

The Definitive Voice of Entertainment News

Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter

site categories

‘gemini man’: film review.

THR review: In Ang Lee's effects-heavy 'Gemini Man,' Will Smith plays dual star roles as both a veteran assassin and his younger clone.

By Stephen Dalton

Stephen Dalton

• Share on Facebook
• Share to Flipboard
• Send an Email
• Show additional share options
• Share on LinkedIn
• Share on Pinterest
• Share on Reddit
• Share on Tumblr
• Share on Whats App
• Print the Article
• Post a Comment

Will Smith co-stars opposite himself in Gemini Man , a rare detour into action-thriller terrain from Brokeback Mountain and Life of Pi director Ang Lee . Playing an elite hit man drawn into a deadly showdown with his younger clone, this effects-heavy 3D spectacular features both Peter Jackson’s Weta Digital and Hollywood sci-fi legend Douglas Trumbull in its vast creative credits pool. But the disappointing end result feels less than the sum of the talents involved, a weak script and thin high-concept plot only just held together by smart visual wizardry.

Languishing in development since the late 1990s, Gemini Man began life as a Disney property with the late Tony Scott initially set to direct. Various big stars were attached over the years including Harrison Ford, Clint Eastwood and Sean Connery. Now, after multiple rewrites and technical setbacks, the project finally comes to fruition as a vehicle for Smith to try and reboot his faltering action superstar status.

Related Stories

'bel-air' boss on pulling off that joseph marcell cameo and ideas for will smith, matt damon and casey affleck debut 'the instigators,' will smith celebrates 'bel-air' and this week's best events.

Release date: Oct 11, 2019

Was it worth dusting off this clunky pre-millennial screenplay? Frankly, not really. Gemini Man is arguably a significant leap forward for visual effects but a backward step for gripping, sophisticated thrillers. Despite a few deftly handled set-piece action sequences, the formulaic screenplay, stock characters, leaden dialogue and wobbly accents feel gratingly amateurish in places. The thin premise, about a secret program of rogue government assassins, also feels thuddingly familiar in a world where Jason Bourne, John Wick and Villanelle on Killing Eve are all mainstream anti-heroes.

Smith’s action blockbusters have helped nudge his total career-spanning box office take beyond $8 billion, but in recent years he has mostly favored low-key, worthy dramas that left critics cold and audiences lukewarm — which may explain why he has now reunited with Bad Boys producer Jerry Bruckheimer to make Gemini Man , with two more chapters in their Miami cops franchise also in the pipeline.

Behind its high-tech visual gimmicky, Gemini Man is a dumb, depthless, undemanding fanboy pleaser which plants Smith dangerously close to Liam Neeson and Nicolas Cage in the midlife action-man league. That said, the huge profits scored by Aladdin and Suicide Squad prove that the 51-year-old star still commands enough global fan loyalty to elevate even mediocre films into critic-proof hits. His enduring marquee power, in tandem with Lee’s track record, could still generate big numbers when Paramount releases the movie Oct. 11 in U.S. theaters, with a worldwide rollout to follow. But both director and star have done much better work before.

Smith stars   as Henry Brogan, undefeated champion hit man for the Defense Intelligence Agency, a thinly disguised version of the CIA. After terminating 72 bad guys with superhuman precision, Brogan is finally starting to suffer pangs of conscience. Needless to say, the screenplay spends very little time agonizing over the morality of state-sanctioned murder before the body count starts rising again.

Weary of the assassination game, Brogan now plans to retire and spend his autumn years fishing off the Georgia coast. But Machiavellian insiders at the DIA have other ideas. Chief among Brogan’s shadowy enemies is his former Army buddy Clay Varris ( Clive Owen in scenery-chewing villain mode), now a military-industrial biotech tycoon who is working on a secret unit of perfect warriors, all genetically engineered to kill without remorse. His personal favorite is Junior (Smith again, in digitally de-aged form), a 25-year-old clone of Brogan whom Varris has raised as his adopted son.

Arguing that Brogan knows too much to be permitted to retire peacefully, Varris sends Junior to kill him on the grounds that only a younger, faster version of the agency’s top assassin can outthink and outgun his lethal older self. Sensing imminent danger, Brogan goes on the run with fellow rogue DIA officer Danny Zakarweski ( Mary Elizabeth Winstead ) and wise-cracking pilot sidekick Baron (Benedict Wong). Inevitably, sparks fly and loyalties shift as Brogan finally comes face to face with his hot-headed young doppelganger in picturesque corners of Colombia, then Hungary, and finally during a spectacular gunfight on home turf in Georgia.

The key special effect in Gemini Man is the digital de-aging of Smith himself. Using old photos and early movie roles for reference, Lee’s visual team do a very impressive job of rejuvenating the actor into a photorealistic fresh prince half his real age. Composite sequences where the two Smiths grapple with each other in kinetic hand-to-hand combat are also elegantly handled. Only a final coda, which features both men unmasked in bright daylight, exposes the younger version as a slightly creepy animated waxwork.

Lee shoots Gemini Man in an upgraded version of the high-resolution 3D format he pioneered on his 2016 military drama Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk to arresting but divisive effect. In fairness to the director and his cinematographer Dion Beebe, the film is full of superb 3D detailing, from grand widescreen cityscapes to slo-mo explosions that appear to scatter broken glass into the audience.

But while Lee’s dedication to exploring this emerging digital aesthetic is admirable, it feels ill-suited to the larger-than-life conventions of a glossy genre thriller. Captured at an unusually high frame rate between 60 and 120 frames per second, the hyper-real look of Gemini Man is immersive and richly detailed. But it also has the disconcerting effect of making a big-budget cinematic spectacle look like a vintage videotaped TV drama. To steal a line from Dolly Parton, it takes a lot of money to look this cheap.

Production companies: Skydance Media, Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Fosun Pictures, Alibaba Pictures Distributor: Paramount Cast: Will Smith, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Clive Owen, Benedict Wong Director: Ang Lee Screenwriters: David Benioff, Billy Ray, Darren Lemke Producers: Jerry Bruckheimer, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Don Granger Cinematographer: Dion Beebe Editor: Tim Squyres Music: Lorne Balfe

Rated PG-13, 117 minutes 

THR Newsletters

Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day

More from The Hollywood Reporter

‘and their children after them’ review: a deindustrialized town in the french provinces makes a vivid setting for a troubled coming-of-age, bts leader’s doc ‘rm: right people, wrong place’ to premiere at busan film festival, summer box office avoids major disaster as domestic revenue falls just 10 percent, daniel craig’s racy turn in luca guadagnino’s ‘queer’ earns raves at venice film festival with 9-minute standing ovation, mia farrow says she “completely understands” if actors choose to still work with woody allen, amy adams turns into a dog in ‘nightbitch’ trailer.

• Cast & crew
• User reviews

An over-the-hill hitman faces off against a younger clone of himself. An over-the-hill hitman faces off against a younger clone of himself. An over-the-hill hitman faces off against a younger clone of himself.

• David Benioff
• Darren Lemke
• Mary Elizabeth Winstead
• 1.2K User reviews
• 288 Critic reviews
• 38 Metascore
• 1 win & 6 nominations

Top cast 54

• Henry Brogan …

• Danny Zakarewski

• Clay Verris

• Jack Willis

• Del Patterson

• Janet Lassiter

• Yuri Kovacs

• Junior On-Set Reference

• Bicycle Messenger

• Jack's Girlfriend
• Henry's Dad
• Henry's Mom
• Valery Dormov
• (as Igor Szász)
• Young Girl on Train
• (as Alexa GyÖrgy)

• Mother on Train

• Lab Technician
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

More like this

Did you know

• Trivia Tony Scott and Curtis Hanson were attached to the movie in the '90s when Disney was producing the movie. Because computer effects were not advanced enough at the time, the studio cancelled the project.
• Goofs Since Will Smith played both characters they have an identical accent. This is a common error in fiction with clones -the clones of Jango Fett all speaking with his accent, for example. Since accent is not a genetic factor but is influenced throughout a person's life and develops based on environmental factors it is impossible for these two characters to share an accent so perfectly. The same is true for personality, likes/dislikes and moral imperatives.

Henry : I'm not gonna shoot you!

Junior : Mind if I shoot you?

• Alternate versions The Indian theatrical release received some verbal cuts (4 cuss words) before being given a U/A rating. An anti-smoking disclaimer was also added.
• Connections Featured in Chris Stuckmann Movie Reviews: Gemini Man (2019)
• Soundtracks Afterthought Written by Douglas Wade Cameron Courtesy of APM Music

User reviews 1.2K

• Dec 7, 2019
• How long is Gemini Man? Powered by Alexa
• Is there any connection between this movie and the old sci-fi TV series from the 70's starring Ben Murphy?
• Some articles on the internet said it flopped at the box office hence, it was taken out earlier than usual? Is there some truth to this?
• October 11, 2019 (United States)
• United States
• Official Facebook
• Official Instagram
• Cartagena, Colombia (motorcycle chase through city centre)
• Skydance Media
• Jerry Bruckheimer Films
• Fosun Group Forever Pictures
• See more company credits at IMDbPro
• $138,000,000 (estimated)
• $48,546,770
• $20,552,372
• Oct 13, 2019
• $173,469,516

Technical specs

• Runtime 1 hour 57 minutes
• Dolby Atmos
• Dolby Surround 7.1
• 1.85 : 1 with ScreenX

Related news

Contribute to this page.

• IMDb Answers: Help fill gaps in our data
• Learn more about contributing

More to explore

Recently viewed.

Gemini Man Review

11 Oct 2019

NaN minutes

Originally conceived in the late ’90s, it’s taken Gemini Man over 20 years to finally reach the screen — two decades in which all kinds of stars ( Arnie , Harrison Ford , Tom Cruise ) and directors ( Tony Scott , Joe Carnahan ) joined and abandoned the project. While its long gestation may be attributed to the time it took for filmmaking technology to catch up with its high concept — a contract killer is hunted down by their younger clone — by the evidence of its final incarnation, it’s more likely that the oft-rewritten script (here credited to David Benioff , Billy Ray and Darren Lemke) is to blame — an awful mishmash of cringeworthy dialogue, tell-don’t-show characterisation, and murky plotting.

Will Smith plays both ageing hitman Henry Brogan, tired of his empty existence and lamenting his lack of meaningful relationships, and furious young-gun clone Junior, manipulated by his clearly-the-bad-guy father figure Clay Verris ( Clive Owen ). It’s smart casting considering the image of a 20-year-old Smith remains ubiquitous from his Fresh Prince days, less so in that present-day Smith still looks far younger than his 51 years. Still, Smith puts in a solid performance and the CGI de-ageing effect on Junior is largely convincing — more than can be said for the rest of the film.

The film’s chases and shoot-outs are punctuated with dodgy physics and unintentionally laughable moments.

Eventual director Ang Lee was perhaps drawn to Gemini Man ’s blend of espionage-thriller action and more cerebral sci-fi soul-searching — but the emotional potential in a regretful old man literally confronting his younger self and trying to put him on a better path is squandered by clunky, on-the-nose dialogue. The action doesn’t hit the mark either — despite moments of visual flourish, the film’s chases and shoot-outs are punctuated with dodgy physics and unintentionally laughable moments (Junior has a tendency to flip around in odd bouts of overly acrobatic parkour).

All of these flaws are only accentuated by the film’s high-frame-rate presentation. Gemini Man was shot at 120 frames per second rather than the standard 24, and while the filmmaker’s preferred ‘3D+’ format promises smoother action and greater detail, it instead fundamentally dismantles any suspension of disbelief. As with the dreaded motion smoothing effect on HD TVs, everything appears too real and too artificial at the same time — giving an expensive Hollywood blockbuster all the visual sheen of an episode of Hollyoaks . The extra fidelity makes the shaky-cam action nauseating, draws greater attention to the more risible dialogue exchanges, and highlights moments of creaky CGI.

If anyone comes out of this unscathed, it’s Benedict Wong , who lightens the mood as comic relief Baron, replete with moustache, plot-dependent seaplane, and an affinity for tropical birds. Clive Owen’s one-note identikit villain barely registers, and the ever-likeable Mary Elizabeth Winstead struggles in an ill-defined role that can’t decide whether or not it’s aiming for non-existent romantic chemistry with her older male co-star.

While Gemini Man has a punchy central premise, it’s ironic that in its long journey to the screen it was superceded by a newer, superior incarnation. Stick with Looper .

Related Articles

Movies | 29 04 2020

Movies | 22 01 2020

Movies | 27 10 2019

Movies | 20 10 2019

Movies | 13 10 2019

Movies | 11 10 2019

Movies | 24 09 2019

Movies | 08 09 2019

Advertisement

Supported by

‘Gemini Man’ Review: That Assassin Looks a Lot Like Will Smith

This globe-trotting action thriller directed by Ang Lee is largely forgettable, except for one co-star.

• Share full article

By A.O. Scott

I’m a little worried that the premise of “ Gemini Man ,” which is the most interesting thing about it, might also count as a spoiler. So if you don’t want to know anything about this movie other than that Will Smith plays a super-lethal military assassin hunted by nefarious forces in his own government — which is too much of a cliché to count as a spoiler — then maybe you should move along. Or just watch the trailer, declare the whole thing spoiled, and go about your day.

Because what places this globe-trotting action caper, directed by Ang Lee, just a little bit above “utterly forgettable” is the fact that Smith plays more than one assassin. The first one is Henry Brogan, a sniper who has decided to retire after killing dozens of bad guys over the years. Not so fast, Henry! As soon as he settles down in his house on the Georgia coast, gunmen start showing up to terminate his pension. When he gets to Colombia, another would-be killer shows up, but this one — get ready! — is Henry’s own clone.

Henry 2.0 is called Junior, and he is also played by Will Smith. He was cultivated by Henry’s former boss, Clay Verris (Clive Owen), a nasty bureaucrat with good taste in art. Junior is 25 years younger than his — original? donor? template? tissue sample? — an effect that has been achieved via digital de-aging, the cinematic trend of 2019. Various techniques to shave off the years were used on Samuel L. Jackson in “Captain Marvel” and on Robert De Niro in “The Irishman.” There is something both unnerving and poignant about seeing these familiar faces turned into younger versions of themselves, because they don’t quite recapture the smooth-faced stars we remember. Junior doesn’t look like the Will Smith of 25 years ago as much as he looks like a 25-year-old who is really, really tired of everyone telling him how much he looks like Will Smith.

Junior tries to beat Henry to death with a motorcycle in Cartagena. Later on they trade punches in Budapest. Since a globe-trotting assassin needs someone to banter with and care about, Henry acquires two sidekicks, a younger (but not cloned) operative (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and a grizzled veteran ( Benedict Wong ). As the three of them uncover the buried secrets about Junior’s background and Verris’s treachery, some philosophical and practical questions arise about how Henry should relate to Junior. Is he a second dad? A big brother? A grouchy uncle? How well does he know the kid, anyway?

We are having trouble retrieving the article content.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and  log into  your Times account, or  subscribe  for all of The Times.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

Already a subscriber?  Log in .

Want all of The Times?  Subscribe .

Things you buy through our links may earn  Vox Media  a commission.

Gemini Man Is Not a Great Action Movie, But It Is a Weirdly Tender One

Digital de-aging was invented to tell stories about regret, or so you’d gather from the two big movies from the two big filmmakers who’ve put the technology front and center in their work this fall. In The Irishman , Martin Scorsese uses it to take Robert De Niro from a 30-something dabbler in crime to a geriatric gangster who’s got no one left to talk to but the camera, having alienated or outlived everyone who mattered to him. In Gemini Man , Ang Lee casts Will Smith in a double role as a government-sanctioned assassin on the cusp of retirement, and as the younger version of himself who vies with his elder and who’s yet to commit his life to the same solitary path. These Mans, Irish- and Gemini, inhabit vastly different genres of movies, but they’re both, at heart, about the gap between someone’s priorities when they’re younger and the things that start to seem more important as they age.

I get it — when it works, de-aging is an inherently melancholy achievement, simultaneously turning back time with the magic of movies and making you more aware of its march forward in the real world. That’s especially true when it’s applied to a face as familiar as Smith’s — one that’s been documented onscreen for well over half his life. The two roles seem intended to bookend his career to date. His primary Gemini Man character, Henry Brogan, is, like Smith, 51. Junior, who has no idea that he’s been tasked to take out the man from whom he was cloned, is 23, just a year older than Smith was when he made the jump into acting with The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air . With the exception of a coda that might suffer from taking place in the harsh light of day, Junior is an impressively believable creation. That’s not only due to the digital wizardry that went into making his mug so boyish — Smith imbues Junior with his own physicality, conveying that he’s someone who’s learning to use his body as a weapon, but who still doesn’t feel at ease in his own skin.

Unfortunately, Lee’s movie doesn’t devote its entire focus to the surprisingly tender interactions between Henry and Junior, who start off battling each other, and then start sharing hard truths, and soon fall into a relationship in which Henry essentially appoints himself his own parent and doles out advice. There’s a whole action movie attached to it, one that was shot with an extra-high frame rate and that’s meant for 3-D, though good luck finding a theater playing it exactly as intended . Lee shot 2016’s Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk in 120 frames per second, and he does the same with Gemini Man , and neither movie does an adequate job of conveying whatever it is Lee sees in this format, though he clearly believes it’s the direction movies are taking. It’s not just that the frame rate, while offering crisper resolution and a deeper depth of field, also summons the sensation of watching a television with motion smoothing on. It feels uniquely unsuited to the kind of action Lee has in mind here. There’s too much information onscreen, and it lays bare all the careful artifice that goes into the set pieces, making the choreography of the blows feel too apparent and the firefights look fake. Sometimes it’s just difficult to know where to look — in one dramatic shoot-out in a store, I couldn’t stop staring at the perfectly visible selection of chips lining the shelves they dove past.

Junior, we’re told, was secretly cloned around the same time Dolly the Sheep was, and presumably using the same approach, though neither Henry nor his sidekicks, Danny Zakarweski (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and Baron (Benedict Wong), are all that curious about the hows or the implications. Actually, Henry seems more bothered by the fact that Junior was raised by his amoral former colleague Clay Varris (Clive Owen), as a wildly elaborate nature-versus-nurture experiment to see if Junior will be a better supersoldier if he grows up with the dad Henry didn’t have. Henry needn’t worry, it turns out — Gemini Man is so firmly on the side of nature that Junior manages to have all of Henry’s emotional intimacy issues alongside his incredible fighting skills. The movie is so disinterested in the philosophical issues it raises as to feel reluctant to commit to being this particular breed of science fiction at all, and by the awkward ending, it doesn’t seem like it really needed to. At its core is a scenario in which someone’s given the chance to confront their younger self and call out their worst choices — one that feels like it has more to do with therapy than with all the unconvincing action in which it’s unfortunately packaged.

• vulture homepage lede
• movie review
• mary elizabeth winstead
• benedict wong

Most Viewed Stories

• Cinematrix No. 161: September 3, 2024
• 2024’s Comedians You Should and Will Know
• Adam Pearson Is No Wallflower
• What to Know About Taeil’s Sex-Crime Allegations
• Only Murders in the Building Recap: Show Your Cards
• Industry Recap: Rule, Britannia!

Editor’s Picks

Most Popular

What is your email.

This email will be used to sign into all New York sites. By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive email correspondence from us.

Sign In To Continue Reading

Create your free account.

Password must be at least 8 characters and contain:

• Lower case letters (a-z)
• Upper case letters (A-Z)
• Numbers (0-9)
• Special Characters (!@#$%^&*)

As part of your account, you’ll receive occasional updates and offers from New York , which you can opt out of anytime.

Home » Movies » Movie Reviews

Gemini Man Review: A Deeply Admirable, Flawed Experience

A wildly idiosyncratic, flawed, weird film that deserves to be seen in theaters.

Ang Lee is no stranger when it comes to attempting to integrate his very individual artistic vision with experimental technology. His last two feature films both acted as cinematic vessels to argue for the capability of cutting edge tech within the theatrical experience — Life of Pi with its 3D and groundbreaking special effects work, and Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk with its jump from 24 to 120 frames-per-second and shot in 3D and 4K. The mixed reaction of the latter, with many writers finding the film’s story at odds with a cinematic approach that was largely deemed to be in over its head, has had seemingly little effect on the potential Lee sees in the format: Gemini Man was shot in the same way. Unfortunately, as was the case with Billy Lynn , his vision is a bit too pioneering for most movie theaters, as only a handful are actually able to show the film as its director intended, and I personally had to settle for 3D at 60fps and at the standard 2K. 

I can only imagine what Lee’s pure vision would look like on the big screen, as this version is already deeply bizarre. The opening minutes of Gemini Man requires the audience to try and fully adjust to just how abnormal the film they’re about to experience is from the traditional viewing experience: the picture on screen does not look like what we generally recognize as regular digital film. It’s extra crisp and clean, excessively bright, the camera seems to glide in a way smoother than that of regular movies. Many have likened HFR films to watching a soap-opera or like watching the high-definition television demos at Best Buy — the image is crystal clear, but it isn’t cinematic. Cinema is more than just the cleanest, smoothest image you can conjure up. However, I think these comparisons sell the particular experience of Gemini Man far too short. 

This film running at 60fps and in 3D made for one of the most bonkers, memorable viewing experiences I’ve had at the theater in quite some time. There were so many instances that I honestly couldn’t believe what I was looking at, whether it be from just how strongly the colors pop or how the heightened frame rate amplifies the 3D effect. The two effects working in tandem with one another results in some of the craziest images I’ve ever seen on a theater screen; from the camera gliding along in the air in extended shots following a motorbike chase (a sequence which has some of the most insane, hoot-and-holler-in-the-theater action beats of recent memory), to multiple underwater shots that take on a whole new dimension with the technology, to even a brief POV shot from behind a pair of infrared night-vision goggles. All of these things we’ve seen before, but nothing like how this format presents them.

In fact, the film more resembles a video game than a feature film in many instances. During the previously mentioned motorbike chase, we get multiple POV shots from the perspective of both of the drivers. There are several other POV shots looking down through the viewfinder of a gun. One sequence sees Will Smith and Mary Elizabeth Winstead crawling through a convenience store, avoiding turret fire as shot up debris flies at the screen. These sequences with HFR distinctly give the film the reminiscent feeling of a racing game or a first-person-shooter. While this may sound disadvantageous insofar as making an effective movie, it translates surprisingly well by being anchored by a plot that has so much to do with artificiality and a synthetic illusion of the real world.

The clone tracking down Henry Brogan (Smith) in the film isn’t some thoughtless robot purely fixated on killing. He’s an unnatural creation of a real human being; born as a baby and raised up to be as human as anybody else, but tricked and used by his government to be turned into a killing machine. This turns out not to be a film about a man outrunning an indestructible advanced piece of tech, but about a person who has to come to terms with the circumstances of his birth and that his whole reality is not what he knows it to be. The film is deeply concerned with the ideas of humanity and morality; giving someone a new life you wish you could have had for yourself. Lee shows himself to be deeply empathetic with what is ostensibly a globe-trotting action caper that I walked out of surprised by just now good-natured and sweet it is.

All this said this is not a perfect movie. The Smith double looks pretty convincing for the most part, though there are small instances where it looks downright cursed (and it’s at least slightly uncanny all throughout). All of the dialogue is rather stilted, and it doesn’t help that the broader plot here isn’t exactly as revolutionary as the tech that’s carrying it along. Taken without the gimmicks, it would probably feel right at home somewhere between the mid-90s to early-aughts era of earnestly corny popcorn action flicks, and it’s true that it may have lost a lot of goodwill from me if I had seen it in a traditional format. But that’s not the way Lee intended for it to be seen, and that’s not the way I want to judge it. I’ve seen some concerned that the advancements of this film act as some kind of grim harbinger for the future of cinema, but it’s hard for me to see it that way. Instead, Gemini Man is a wildly idiosyncratic, flawed, weird film that has the soul of a decent mid-budget action movie seen through the lens of a highly eccentric auteur.

Article by Jonathon Wilson

Jonathon is one of the co-founders of Ready Steady Cut and has been an instrumental part of the team since its inception in 2017. Jonathon has remained involved in all aspects of the site’s operation, mainly dedicated to its content output, remaining one of its primary Entertainment writers while also functioning as our dedicated Commissioning Editor, publishing over 6,500 articles.

Bridgerton Season 3, Episode 5 Explained: A £5,000 Reward for the Identity of Lady Whistledown

The Flight Attendant season 2, episode 1 recap - the premiere explained

This website cannot be displayed as your browser is extremely out of date.

Please update your browser to one of the following: Chrome , Firefox , Edge

The Christian Post

To enjoy our website, you'll need to enable JavaScript in your web browser. Please click here to learn how.

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

Recommended

Texas A&M campus revival event draws nearly 1,500 students to worship Jesus; 62 baptized

Hamas video shows ‘last messages’ of 6 slain hostages

3 Doors Down lead singer stops concert to share the Gospel with thousands: 'Jesus Christ loves you'

Former OnlyFans recruiter recalls horrors that made her quit, seek Jesus

Ukrainian doctor who lived under Soviet rule spreading the Gospel in medical missions

Understanding your spiritual battle has already begun

The apologetics of hospitality is essential for the Christian

IVF and infertility: Good ends do not justify all means

When politics becomes your religion

Knowing the difference between judging and ‘judgmentalism’

Dennis quaid, 'reagan' cast reflect on faith, leadership in new biopic: 'don't shortchange god'.

The newly-released film "Reagan" captures the life, love and legacy of the 40th president of the United States while offering a timely exploration of the man who led the nation through some of its most challenging times, according to the film's cast.

The film, which hit theaters on Aug. 30, has already surpassed expectations at the box office, earning $9.2 million during its opening weekend. It features Dennis Quaid as an older Ronald Reagan, Penelope Ann Miller as Nancy Reagan, David Henrie as a young Reagan and Jon Voight as Viktor Petrovich. The film is directed by Sean McNamara, known for "Soul Surfer" and "The Miracle Season."

Set during the Cold War, "Reagan" chronicles Reagan's life from his early days in a small town to his Hollywood career and eventual global political influence. The film is narrated from the perspective of Petrovich, a former KGB agent, highlighting Reagan's impact, which caught Soviet attention during his time in the film industry. The movie offers a unique perspective on Reagan's legacy, emphasizing his determination and the unwavering support of his wife.

Get Our Latest News for FREE

In an interview with The Christian Post, the lead actors spoke about their roles and the themes of faith, love and leadership that are central to the movie. 

Dennis Quaid: Highlighting Reagan's faith as a guiding principle

Quaid, a professing Christian, told CP Reagan's commitment to his faith struck him, something he said the former president tapped into when making political decisions.  

"My faith is all there is; it's the touchstone, the principles by which we live," Quaid reflected. "We get away from it sometimes, but it's always there to return to. If you can find your way back to it, it can buoy you. ... Reagan was both a Democrat and Republican, but he lived his life and was governed by principles. If you have principles in your life, you come up against a tough decision … and make a decision based on those principles, in the long run, it's going to be the right one."

Reagan's ability to maintain strong relationships, even with political adversaries, was another aspect of his character that Quaid told CP holds valuable lessons for today's polarized society. "Reagan had a very good relationship with Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill," Quaid recalled. "They were political enemies, but they knew how to dialogue and get along outside of the political arena."

Penelope Ann Miller: Capturing the heart of Nancy Reagan

Miller told CP she wanted to highlight Nancy Reagan's role not just as the First Lady but as the strong, protective partner who was indispensable to her husband's success.

"She was a force to be reckoned with," Miller said, adding that the public held a one-dimensional view of Nancy Reagan as tough and controlling. "She did have her vulnerabilities and insecurities, but she did have her strength. What I found so beautiful in this movie is the love story and her devotion to her man, who she wholeheartedly believed in ... she felt that there was a greater purpose than being an actor ... she infused him with the confidence he needed to catapult him to the White House." 

It was Nancy's willingness to take a back seat while supporting her husband's ambitions that energized him, she stressed, a dynamic that is often misunderstood but is portrayed with depth and nuance in the film.

"There wouldn't have been a President Reagan without a Nancy," Quaid added. "She didn't help him decide on policy, but she protected him. She protected the image that he projected and the intimacy that they shared in private moments; it's the epitome of what a really great relationship is and how it can bring out your best self."

What made the Reagans a "power couple," Miller said, was their deep respect and love for one another.

"He wrote her a love poem every day," she said. "She published a book called I Love You, Nancy , with all the letters and poems that he wrote her. It's such a beautiful thing to have a partner who really appreciates you and believes in you and that you can trust. And that's what made them this power couple … I think that's what's cool in the movie, is you kind of see behind the curtain."

David Henrie: A New Perspective on a Young Reagan

Henrie, playing a young Reagan from the ages 16-29, told CP he wanted to capture the formative years of a man who would later become a pivotal figure in American history. 

"Reagan's story is fascinating," the "Wizards of Waverly Place" star said. "It's the story of someone who should have never been president, yet against all odds, he became one. That's a testament to his faith and purpose."

One of the film's central themes is the influence of Reagan's mother, Nelle, who introduced her son to Christianity amidst the challenges of growing up with an alcoholic father.  In one scene, a pastor, played by Kevin Sorbo, tells young Reagan, "Anybody can be God's people, so long as they choose Him."

"Reagan's life was so intertwined with faith and purpose," Henrie said. 

"A lot of people who grew up in that kind of environment carry the trauma for the rest of their lives," the 35-year-old actor added. "He used it as a means of empathy and compassion that stayed with him throughout his life. That's something I found incredibly inspiring."

Henrie also reflected on how Reagan's faith was interwoven with his life's purpose: "Reagan dreamt big and didn't shortchange God," Henrie said. "That's inspirational to me — to strive for greatness in whatever you do, whether or not you're in the spotlight."

A timely film for a divisive era

Quaid told CP that the film arrives at a time when America is grappling with deep political and social divisions. He expressed hope that the film reminds audiences of the power of faith, love and dialogue. 

"Having a dialogue is really what it's about. I think that's what we need to get back to in this country," Quaid said. "We all seem to want to, and we're searching around for how to do that. It's been so long, there's so much divisiveness. It's like you can't have these conversations. It's OK if you have a different opinion because we all want the same thing. How we're going about it is just different. If that's your belief, then OK, but we can we can differ, and we can still get along."

Henrie stressed that the film also brings to life the complexities of a man whose optimism and resilience left an indelible mark on the nation. He told CP he hopes it serves as a testament to the enduring power of faith, purpose and the human spirit.

"If you look at this man's life, you would have never guessed he was going to be president; he went from a lifeguard to a sports broadcaster and calling out the news to an actor, to a broke actor, to then being in the Screen Actors Guild, nothing made sense," he said. "But Reagan was open. He was open and he had the guiding light of faith and purpose in his life."

"I hope people will take away the idea of faith and purpose and not shortchanging God, that your life does have a purpose," Henrie added. "If you don't know what that is, that's a great place to start … ask God, 'What is my purpose?' and then let faith be the guiding light to that. Don't shortchange God. Dream big in whatever you're doing, and then go for that. If it doesn't work out, failure is a part of life. I don't believe God cares whether you win or lose, but just that you do something with what you were given."

"Reagan" is now playing in theaters.

Leah M. Klett is a reporter for The Christian Post. She can be reached at: [email protected]

Was this article helpful?

Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone.

By making a recurring donation or a one-time donation of any amount, you're helping to keep CP's articles free and accessible for everyone.

We’re sorry to hear that.

Hope you’ll give us another try and check out some other articles. Return to homepage.

Watch: First trailer for 'Reagan' drops, highlights Dennis Quaid as the 40th president

'reagan' star dennis quaid reflects on faith, humility of ronald reagan; reveals if he'll ever run for office, dennis quaid, kathie lee gifford celebrate reagan's faith, family values at premiere, 'reagan' actor jon voight talks god's faithfulness, warns of dangerous ideologies permeating the us, most popular.

MorningStar founder Rick Joyner slams Chris Reed for disrespecting ministry with resignation

Pat McAfee's dancing on ESPN's College GameDay draws reactions from Christian leaders

'Reagan' surpasses expectations with $9.2M opening weekend despite panning from critics

African Methodist Episcopal Church reaffirms ban on same-sex marriage

More Articles

Archaeologists shine light on complex relationships of isolated Christian community in medieval Spain

NFL team insists it did not endorse Kamala Harris, says bus ads are fake

Indonesia authorities close down church's worship space; pastor dragged by mob

Group of brands.

The 10 Best Movies About Christianity With Great Acting, Ranked

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

Faith can be a very challenging topic to depict on screen , as much of a film’s impact is based solely on the personal reaction that an audience member has when leaving the theater. Although it can be challenging to appreciate a film that contradicts one’s personal beliefs, even if it is a great piece of drama in its own right, great acting has the ability to expose viewers to a great diversity of cinematic experiences.

Faith-based films often get a bad reputation , as there are certainly a number of low quality projects that only aim at appeasing those that share its beliefs. However, there are many profound films from veteran filmmakers that deal with the ways in which faith intersects with historical events, modern issues, and one’s personal mental health struggles. Here are ten faith-based films with great acting, ranked.

10 ‘Black Narcissus’ (1947)

Directed by emeric pressburger and michael powell.

One of the most defining films of the “Golden Age of Hollywood,” Black Narcissus was yet another example of the genius work of Emeric Pressburger and Michael Powell , the award winning directorial team behind such classics as The Red Shoes and A Matter of Life and Death among many others. Although the two directors worked in a variety of different genres, Black Narcissus focused on a small covenant of Anglican sisters who work to establish a headquarters on top of a mountain.

"The brilliant work by Deborah Kerr and Jean Simmons elevates Black Narcissus into a profound meditation on what it is like to hold on to one’s faith in the midst of dangerous circumstances."

The brilliant work by Deborah Kerr and Jean Simmons elevates Black Narcissus into a profound meditation on what it is like to hold on to one’s faith in the midst of dangerous circumstances. The film was also notable for giving a breakout performance to David Farrar , whose performance as the military agent Mr. Dean became the unexpected heart of the film when he decides to join forces with and support the sisters in their seemingly insurmountable mission.

Watch on Prime Video

9 ‘The Seventh Seal’ (1957)

Directed by ingmar bergman.

The Seventh Seal is one of the defining medieval films of all-time , and for good reason, as some of the striking shots that Ingmar Bergman conjured up rank among the most aesthetically striking in film history. While it's a film that will be studied for its unique visual design forever, The Seventh Seal is just as emotional of a viewing experience because of the great performance by Max von Sydow as a knight who must contend with the literal manifestation of death.

While eventually he would become more closely associated with playing on screen villains , Sydow gives a complexity that captures the chivalry of knighthood and the perils of having to literally contend with the possibility of death. While the film itself is reliant on the audience’s ability to buy into many extended metaphors, Sydow’s performance is strong enough to carry the emotional weight of the narrative.

The Seventh Seal

Watch on Max

8 ‘The Last Temptation of Christ’ (1988)

Directed by martin scorsese.

The Last Temptation of Christ is one of the most controversial films of Martin Scorsese’s entire career , as the backlash from radical Christian movements due to his depiction of key events from scripture became so significant that at one point FBI agents were brought in to ensure the safety of the cast and crew. Tackling the story that Scorsese did with The Last Temptation of Christ was in of itself an act of cinematic bravery, but Willem Dafoe took on an even greater challenge when he accepted the role of Jesus of Nazareth.

Dafoe was able to do the seemingly unthinkable and turn Jesus into a relatable character as he is seduced with the possibility of living out a human life during his pivotal walk in the desert. Harvey Keitel is also strong in a memorable supporting role as Judas.

The Last Temptation of Christ

Not available

The life of Jesus Christ, his journey through life as he faces the struggles all humans do, and his final temptation on the cross.

Rent on Amazon

7 ‘Dead Man Walking’ (1995)

Directed by tim robbins.

Dead Man Walking is an unusual legal thriller that made the bold choice to spend just as much time on the victims as it did on the supposed criminal culprits. Sean Penn gave one of the biggest breakout roles of his career as a convicted murderer who is on trial for murdering a teenage couple; Susan Sarandon won the Academy Award for Best Actress for playing a timid, yet quietly powerful Catholic nun who helps the convicts prepare for their last days on Earth by finding a relationship with God.

"Susan Sarandon won the Academy Award for Best Actress for playing a timid, yet quietly powerful Catholic nun."

Dead Man Walking is very well-acted because of its director , as Tim Robbins decided to step behind the camera and ask his friends to co-star in this masterful drama. As a result, an actor like Robbins was able to inspire more intimate performances out of the cast than a non-actor may have been able to do so with the same material.

6 ‘Doubt’ (2008)

Directed by john patrick shanley.

Doubt is a brilliant ethical drama lifted from the play of the same name , but was able to make the necessary alterations in its narrative structure in order to seem inherently cinematic. Philip Seymour Hoffman gives one of his most challenging performances as a beloved Catholic father who is accused of assaulting a young boy under his care; Amy Adams and Meryl Streep are simply astounding as the two nuns who must hold him to justice, despite their warring beliefs on his innocence.

Doubt is best remembered for a ten-minute sequence involving Viola Davis , who co-stars as the mother of the boy who is considered to be a possible victim. Despite the relative brevity of her screen time, Davis was able to bring to life the racial and religious conflicts that her character dealt with to life in such a profound manner that she earned the first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress of her career.

A Catholic school principal questions a priest's ambiguous relationship with a troubled young student.

5 ‘The Tree of Life’ (2011)

Directed by terrence malick.

The Tree of Life is a beautiful arthouse epic that attempted to tell the story of all of life on Earth, tracing back in time to the emergence of the dinosaurs and following through to the eventual collapse of the human race. While it may have been easy to become overwhelmed by the sheer ambition of what The Tree of Life is attempting to pull off, writer and director Terrence Malick makes the smart decision to focus on how a young Texan boy ( Tye Sheridan ) grows up to question the beliefs of his compassionate mother ( Jessica Chastain ) and more aggressive father ( Brad Pitt ) as he discovers the person that he wants to be.

An appearance by Sean Penn as an older version of Sheridan’s characters helps improve the film’s third act , as the consistency of characterization allows The Tree of Life to merge some of its more audacious visual qualities with a more intimate coming-of-age story.

The Tree of Life

4 ‘silence’ (2016).

Silence is another very personal film for Scorsese , who tackled another issue regarding Catholic faith with this historical epic set in the heart of feudal Japan. Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver star as a pair of Jesuit priests who travel deep into enemy territory to find their mentor ( Liam Neeson ), who is rumored to have given up his faith entirely.

Garfield’s performance is one of the best of his career , as the dangerous situations that he finds himself in only heighten his personal anxieties about praying to a God that he is unsure is listening. Silence is just as beautifully made and brilliantly staged as any of the other masterpieces in Scorsese’s career, but it's the intensely personal work that Garfield does as a man who questions what his life’s work has amounted to that elevates it among the greatest faith-based films of all-time.

In the 17th century, two Portuguese Jesuit priests travel to Japan in an attempt to locate their mentor, who is rumored to have committed apostasy, and to propagate Catholicism.

Watch on Pluto TV

3 ‘Hacksaw Ridge’ (2016)

Directed by mel gibson.

Hacksaw Ridge tells the incredible true story of Desmond T. Doss , a World War II veteran that served as a medic and rescuer in the heat of combat because of personal religious beliefs that prevented him from ever holding a weapon. While someone as inspiring as Doss became a challenging protagonist to depict because of his seeming flawlessness, Andrew Garfiled delivered an incredible performance that captured the specific reasons why he felt he could not ever be associated with weapons.

Garfield added a gentleness and sincerity to Hacksaw Ridge that made it only more powerful in the third act, in which director Mel Gibson delivers some of the most harrowing World War II battle footage ever captured on film. While Garfield’s work earned him a well deserved Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, the film also featured strong performances from Luke Bracey and Vince Vaughn.

Hacksaw Ridge

Watch on Netflix

2 ‘First Reformed’ (2018)

Directed by paul schrader.

First Reformed is an astounding modern neo-noir classic that manages to ask existential questions about whether faith in God can be justified when the world is struggling with serious environmental issues. Ethan Hawke gives one of the best performances of his career as a grieving priest who is called upon to become a hero when a member of his church ( Amanda Seyfried ) comes to believe that her husband may be considering becoming a radical terrorist.

First Reformed is a film that is reliant on slower scenes of character interaction and dialogue , and it's to Hawke’s credit that it never becomes dull or unfocused. Although there are some bold visual and narrative choices that writer and director Paul Schrader made when pulling off the film’s ending, it's the diligence of Hawke’s work in the film that makes First Reformed hit like such an emotional gut punch.

First Reformed

In a narrative that combines spirituality with environmental and personal crises, a pastor faces a profound moral and existential dilemma after meeting an eco-activist couple. As he delves deeper into the environmental cause, his growing radicalization confronts him with troubling questions about his capacity for violence and his commitment to his faith.

1 ‘The Two Popes’ (2019)

Directed by fernando meirelles.

The Two Popes brings to life an interesting chapter in Catholic history , in which the younger Pope Francis ( Jonathan Pryce ) was elected to serve as the leader of the faith after Pope Benedict ( Sir Anthony Hopkins ) chose to step down in the wake of a series of scandals relating to the institutional coverup of child sexual abuse by priests. Although the film has important historical context regarding the direction that the faith has taken, The Two Popes is at its best when it allows its two stars to simply interact with one another.

Pryce and Hopkins were able to show how two leaders with very different beliefs formed a friendship that ended up strengthening the direction that the Catholic church took moving forward; both Pryce and Hopkins received well deserved Academy Award nominations for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor, respectively.

The Two Popes

KEEP READING: The 10 Best Pierce Brosnan Movies, Ranked

Common Sense Media

Movie & TV reviews for parents

• For Parents
• For Educators
• Our Work and Impact

Or browse by category:

• Movie Reviews
• Best Movie Lists
• Best Movies on Netflix, Disney+, and More

Common Sense Selections for Movies

50 Modern Movies All Kids Should Watch Before They're 12

• Best TV Lists
• Best TV Shows on Netflix, Disney+, and More
• Common Sense Selections for TV
• Video Reviews of TV Shows

Best Kids' Shows on Disney+

Best Kids' TV Shows on Netflix

• Book Reviews
• Best Book Lists
• Common Sense Selections for Books

8 Tips for Getting Kids Hooked on Books

50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They're 12

• Game Reviews
• Best Game Lists

Common Sense Selections for Games

• Video Reviews of Games

Nintendo Switch Games for Family Fun

• Podcast Reviews
• Best Podcast Lists

Common Sense Selections for Podcasts

Parents' Guide to Podcasts

• App Reviews
• Best App Lists

Social Networking for Teens

Gun-Free Action Game Apps

Reviews for AI Apps and Tools

• YouTube Channel Reviews
• YouTube Kids Channels by Topic

Parents' Ultimate Guide to YouTube Kids

YouTube Kids Channels for Gamers

• Preschoolers (2-4)
• Little Kids (5-7)
• Big Kids (8-9)
• Pre-Teens (10-12)
• Teens (13+)
• Screen Time
• Social Media
• Online Safety
• Identity and Community

How to Help Kids Build Character Strengths with Quality Media

• Family Tech Planners
• Digital Skills
• All Articles
• Latino Culture
• Black Voices
• Asian Stories
• Native Narratives
• LGBTQ+ Pride
• Best of Diverse Representation List

Multicultural Books

YouTube Channels with Diverse Representations

Podcasts with Diverse Characters and Stories

• Common Sense Says
• Parents Say 12 Reviews
• Kids Say 24 Reviews

Common Sense Media Review

Violent, effects-driven action misfire is sluggish, dull.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Gemini Man is director Ang Lee's sci-fi/action movie starring Will Smith as an assassin who comes face-to-face with a younger clone of himself. Violence is the biggest issue: There are guns and shooting, car chases and explosions, martial arts-type fighting, a character being slammed…

Why Age 13+?

Sci-fi/fantasy violence. Some blood/injuries. Lots of guns/shooting. Grenades an

A use of "motherf----r" (plus another incomplete use of "f--k"), plus "s--t," "g

Coca-Cola drinks prominently displayed in more than one scene.

Social beer drinking; characters drink shots. Brief cigar smoking.

One character asks another to strip to check for listening devices. Nothing grap

Any Positive Content?

Raises questions about cloning and identity, but not overtly -- and the question

Henry is definitely interesting and likable, but he's still an assassin who has

Violence & Scariness

Sci-fi/fantasy violence. Some blood/injuries. Lots of guns/shooting. Grenades and explosions. Car chases. Character hit with motorcycle. Stabbing with knife. Secondary characters killed. Hand-to-hand fighting and martial arts-style fight scenes. Arguing. Bones/skulls in catacombs. Peril and fear; flashback of a frightened child.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

A use of "motherf----r" (plus another incomplete use of "f--k"), plus "s--t," "goddamn," "ass," "a--hole," "hell," and "Jesus" (as an exclamation).

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

Drinking, drugs & smoking.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

One character asks another to strip to check for listening devices. Nothing graphic shown.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Positive Messages

Raises questions about cloning and identity, but not overtly -- and the questions certainly aren't answered.

Positive Role Models

Henry is definitely interesting and likable, but he's still an assassin who has killed dozens. While trying to survive, he's involved in causing lots of destruction and probably some injuries.

Parents need to know that Gemini Man is director Ang Lee 's sci-fi/action movie starring Will Smith as an assassin who comes face-to-face with a younger clone of himself. Violence is the biggest issue: There are guns and shooting, car chases and explosions, martial arts-type fighting, a character being slammed with a motorcycle, and secondary characters dying. One character asks another to strip so he can search her for listening devices, but nothing graphic is shown. Language isn't frequent but includes a use of "f--k" and uses of "s--t," "hell," and more. There's some social drinking. Unfortunately, the half-baked screenplay and flat characters render the movie something of a sad misfire. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

Videos and photos.

Parent and Kid Reviews

• Parents say (12)
• Kids say (24)

Based on 12 parent reviews

An OKAY watch, though I don't see myself watching it again

Great movie, what's the story.

In GEMINI MAN, we meet Henry Brogan ( Will Smith ), who was the world's most highly skilled assassin -- able to take out a target on a moving bullet train from a hillside -- until his decision to retire. In Georgia, Henry rents a boat to meet an old friend, who warns him that the man Henry just killed was actually a scientist. Then Henry realizes that his boat was tapped, and that the person who rented it to him is actually also a secret agent, Danny Zakarweski ( Mary Elizabeth Winstead ). Before long, snipers are coming after both Henry and Danny, so they hit the road with the help of pilot Baron ( Benedict Wong ) to try to figure out who's after them and why. In Colombia, Henry is targeted by another sniper, and this one is different from all the others. In fact, he looks just like a younger version of Henry!

Is It Any Good?

This sluggish, dull, special effects-driven actioner fails twice: In engaging with an intellectual discussion of clones and in its attempt to find strong emotional ground on the same subject. Director Ang Lee continues his string of technology-advancing movies, but while Life of Pi worked nicely, both Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk and Gemini Man seem to have neglected the human connection. Even the real Smith seems muted here; he's normally a warm, funny, compulsively watchable actor, but in trying to convey Henry's lifetime of pain, he simply shuts down. The clone version is kept mostly in shadows to hide its fake, rubbery quality; a scene shot in bright sunlight really lets the seams show.

The story, which takes its characters all over the world, grows more and more implausible -- no one ever gets jet lag? -- and runs out of momentum before long. Aside from some professional-looking stunts and smooth chase scenes, the action only rarely thrills. But what's missing overall is a point. The villain ( Clive Owen ) has his reasons for creating clone soldiers. And they're not entirely appalling, but the movie's entire conversation about clones -- issues like permission, whether they have souls, and how they might be treated by humans -- is completely ignored. The folks who made Gemini Man clearly put in a great deal of work, but this high-concept movie only yields low-impact results.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about Gemini Man 's violence . How intense is it? Does the fact that it's largely bloodless make it seem less brutal? What's the impact of media violence on kids?

Danny can hold her own in a fight, but is she a strong female character? Why or why not?

How does the effects technology that created a copy of star Smith strike you? Is the copy lifelike? Is it cool or creepy?

Movie Details

• In theaters : October 11, 2019
• On DVD or streaming : January 14, 2020
• Cast : Will Smith , Mary Elizabeth Winstead , Clive Owen
• Director : Ang Lee
• Inclusion Information : Asian directors, Black actors, Female actors
• Studio : Paramount Pictures
• Genre : Action/Adventure
• Run time : 117 minutes
• MPAA rating : PG-13
• MPAA explanation : violence and action throughout, and brief strong language
• Last updated : May 25, 2024

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Suggest an Update

What to watch next.

Edge of Tomorrow

Source Code

Best Action Movies for Kids

Sci-fi movies.

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

Log in or sign up for Rotten Tomatoes

Trouble logging in?

By continuing, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes.

Email not verified

Let's keep in touch.

Sign up for the Rotten Tomatoes newsletter to get weekly updates on:

• Upcoming Movies and TV shows
• Rotten Tomatoes Podcast
• Media News + More

By clicking "Sign Me Up," you are agreeing to receive occasional emails and communications from Fandango Media (Fandango, Vudu, and Rotten Tomatoes) and consenting to Fandango's Privacy Policy and Terms and Policies . Please allow 10 business days for your account to reflect your preferences.

OK, got it!

• About Rotten Tomatoes®
• Login/signup

Movies in theaters

• Opening This Week
• Top Box Office
• Coming Soon to Theaters
• Certified Fresh Movies

Movies at Home

• Fandango at Home
• Prime Video
• Most Popular Streaming Movies
• What to Watch New

Certified fresh picks

• 73% Blink Twice Link to Blink Twice
• 95% Strange Darling Link to Strange Darling
• 86% Between the Temples Link to Between the Temples

New TV Tonight

• 100% Slow Horses: Season 4
• 96% English Teacher: Season 1
• -- The Perfect Couple: Season 1
• -- Tell Me Lies: Season 2
• -- Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist: Season 1
• -- Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos: Season 1
• -- Outlast: Season 2
• -- The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Season 1
• -- Whose Line Is It Anyway?: Season 14

Most Popular TV on RT

• 72% Kaos: Season 1
• 84% The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power: Season 2
• 92% Terminator Zero: Season 1
• 100% Dark Winds: Season 2
• 92% Bad Monkey: Season 1
• 95% Only Murders in the Building: Season 4
• Best TV Shows
• Most Popular TV

Certified fresh pick

• 96% English Teacher: Season 1 Link to English Teacher: Season 1
• All-Time Lists
• Binge Guide
• Comics on TV
• Five Favorite Films
• Video Interviews
• Weekend Box Office
• Weekly Ketchup
• What to Watch

Venice Film Festival 2024: Movie Scorecard

30 Most Popular Movies Right Now: What to Watch In Theaters and Streaming

What to Watch: In Theaters and On Streaming

Awards Tour

The 5 Most Anticipated TV or Streaming Shows of September

The 5 Most Anticipated Movies of September

• Trending on RT
• Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
• Top 10 Box Office
• Venice Film Festival
• Popular Series on Netflix

Gemini Man Reviews

No All Critics reviews for Gemini Man.

More From Forbes

‘reagan’: critics hate, but audiences love dennis quaid’s ronald reagan biopic.

• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to Linkedin

"Reagan" movie poster featuring Dennis Quaid.

Reagan —starring Dennis Quaid as 40th U.S. President Ronald Reagan—is being viewed much differently by audiences and critics.

Rotten Tomatoes critics largely ripped the film about the late president with an 18% “rotten” rating based on 40 reviews. RT’s Critics Consensus reads, “While Reagan the movie undoubtedly admires Reagan the man, its cloying and glossy rendering of history flattens the 40th U.S. President into caricature.”

Among the individual reviews from RT critics , Nick Schager of The Daily Beast writes, “Regardless of how you feel about Ronald Reagan the president, most will be united in finding this biopic a preachy, plodding, graceless groaner.” In the headline of his review, Schager declares Reagan as “the worst movie of the year.”

In addition, Kyle Smith of the Wall Street Journal writes, “Mannered acting, dismal cinematography, clunky attempts to enhance excitement via gimmicks such as slow motion, and a musical score like a fountain of goo all serve as flashbacks to Reagan-era network schlock.”

Among the few “fresh” reviews from RT critics, AARP Movies For Grownups’ Tim Appelo writes of the biopic, “The movie as a whole isn’t awful, and it’s interesting to see Reagan’s life and anti-communist crusade through the lens of his religious faith.”

Best High-Yield Savings Accounts Of 2024

Best 5% interest savings accounts of 2024.

Countering critics’ reviews, viewers are nearly unanimous in their praise for Reagan on RT, giving the film a 98% “fresh” Audience Score based on 500-plus verified user ratings.

According to Deadline , Reagan also scored big with audiences based on the reports of two theatrical exit polling services, earning an A grade with those surveyed by CinemaScore and 4 1/2 stars on PostTrak.

Directed by Sean McNamara, Reagan also stars Penelope Ann Miller, Mena Suvari and Jon Voight.

How Is ‘Reagan’ Performing In Theaters?

Deadline projects Reagan will finish the four-day Labor Day weekend with $9 million in domestic ticket sales for a No. 4 finish.

The PG-13 film, which is being distributed by ShowBiz Direct, opened in 2,754 North American theaters on Friday, earning $2.6 million for a No. 2 finish behind Deadpool & Wolverine , which took in $3.6 million.

The Numbers reported that Reagan had a production budget of $25 million before prints and advertising costs.

In addition, Deadline projects that Alien: Romulus will earn 11.7 million over Labor Day weekend for a No. 2 finish in the domestic top five, while It Ends with Us is projected to earn $9.5 million for the No. 3 slot.

The trade publication also projects that the weather disaster thriller Twisters will round out the top five with $8.1 million in domestic ticket sales to round out the four-day stretch.

• Editorial Standards
• Reprints & Permissions

Join The Conversation

One Community. Many Voices. Create a free account to share your thoughts. 

Forbes Community Guidelines

Our community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations. We want our readers to share their views and exchange ideas and facts in a safe space.

In order to do so, please follow the posting rules in our site's  Terms of Service.   We've summarized some of those key rules below. Simply put, keep it civil.

Your post will be rejected if we notice that it seems to contain:

• False or intentionally out-of-context or misleading information
• Insults, profanity, incoherent, obscene or inflammatory language or threats of any kind
• Attacks on the identity of other commenters or the article's author
• Content that otherwise violates our site's  terms.

User accounts will be blocked if we notice or believe that users are engaged in:

• Continuous attempts to re-post comments that have been previously moderated/rejected
• Racist, sexist, homophobic or other discriminatory comments
• Attempts or tactics that put the site security at risk
• Actions that otherwise violate our site's  terms.

So, how can you be a power user?

• Stay on topic and share your insights
• Feel free to be clear and thoughtful to get your point across
• ‘Like’ or ‘Dislike’ to show your point of view.
• Protect your community.
• Use the report tool to alert us when someone breaks the rules.

Thanks for reading our community guidelines. Please read the full list of posting rules found in our site's  Terms of Service.