Bringing a twenty-year concept to fruition, Ang Lee’s Gemini Man reminds one that it takes a lot to make a dated premise work in a vastly different age.
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As technology and taste progress over the years, the world of cinema also undergone changes in accordance with the audience’s dynamic preferences. Bringing a twenty-year concept to fruition, Ang Lee’s Gemini Man reminds one that it takes a lot to make a dated premise work in a vastly different age.
Originally conceived in 1997, it went through a lot of deliberation and different opinions before it hit the silver screens this month. Possibly inspired by Dolly, the first mammal to be cloned in 1996, Gemini Man explores the theme of genetically cloning soldiers for urban warfare with the key intention of replicating top genes and traits within troops and at the same time-saving heartbreaks of families.
Twenty years have since passed and the high-concept material sadly sought enhancements primarily within the technical department. Gemini Man has pleasant digital visuals, which also allowed its lead actor Will Smith to play against a younger version of himself onscreen. Lee appears to be heavily invested in this aspect as he experiments with new technology and techniques to achieve what was not possible back in 1997.
There is plenty of action to take in, especially for genre fans. A motorcycle chase scene in the middle of the film, involving retiring Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Agent Henry Brogan (Smith) and his younger clone, that took place in Cartagena, Columbia, left a thrilling impression. Lee and Director of Photography Dion Beebe did great with well-choreographed long shots and camera work.
The action sequences were further accentuated by the high frame rate (HFR) 3D format, but as a result, instills a “video” look as against the cinematic look that most are expecting. This is part of Lee’s technical experimentation and it was likely intended to be so.
In the story and screenplay department, it has undergone perhaps too many rewrites and therefore led to an uninspiring screenplay with linear dialogues and under-developed characters. This might not be well-received in today’s competitive landscape of well thought out and sophisticated action thrillers. I, Robot (which similarly featured Will Smith as its lead actor) for instance impressed in 2004 based on the theme of artificial intelligence. Fifteen years later, Gemini Man loses appeal in contrast.
While not his personal best, Will Smith submit an adequate performance given the limited material. Mary Elizabeth Winstead, who plays fellow patriotic DIA Agent Danny Zakarweski, also impressed with an engaging presence throughout the film as Smith’s supporting cast member.
Gemini Man is sadly a high concept action thriller filled with pleasant digital visuals albeit let down by a dated and uninspiring story and screenplay that is not clear of its key objectives.
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