There are three things worth talking about in Gemini Man. First is the special effects. Much is being brought up about the clone. Yes, old Will Smith is fighting an HGH-injected version of young Will Smith, but not specifically the Fresh Prince. The de-aging effects are sound…not Marvel quality. But the imperfections are perfect in this case. Youthful Brogan, a.k.a. Junior, looks like Smith, but because of the age difference feels like a very different person.
Second, the story is a spy thriller, but dramatic moments lean into the fact that Brogan has a clone of himself, and this clone is also a separate sentient person. Though the two have the same DNA, they have two separate upbringings, and while they are the same, they are different. Which present a great nature vs. nurture discussion. We see a great deal of interaction with Junior and Clay, as Clay raised the young clone since he was a glob in a test tube.
“…what makes it enjoyable is that it’s a relatively grounded action film…relatively.”
Lastly, this is an action film, and what makes it enjoyable is that it’s a relatively grounded action film…relatively. The stunts and set pieces are scaled back from a James Bond stunt show and feels authentic…relatively. Yes, I know the whole sharpshooter situation on a bullet train is far fetched, but I’m referring to the rest of the film. I’m just saying that I’m tired of these over-the-top stunts and impossible “Fast-and-Furious” fights, and Gemini Man lowers the bar to an acceptable level of oh-my-god.
If Gemini Man were a low-budget indie sci-fi film, it would pass Film Threat standards of good. Adding Ang Lee, Will Smith, and several million-dollar to production, Lee manages not to ruin the story with unnecessary Hollywood rigmarole.
"…is his Will-Smithyist as government assassin Henry Brogan."
