Gemini Man

Featuring impressive CGI, Gemini Man aims for the title of digital game-changer. And it deserves it. No less than Will Smith is the lucky one getting the opportunity to face his rejuvenated self in battle.

What a goal it would be for science, some time in the future, to reach perfection in the human body and be able to replicate it for a whole army. The story starts from this inspiration, mixing the desire for eternal life with the military power that would follow from it. The feature, though, stands out because of its visual impact rather than its narrative.

Henry Brogan is the best soldier on the field, a weapon who always hits his target. He is unbeatable, apart from one weak point: he is still human, growing a conscience as he gets close to retirement. Aiming for the perfect recruit, the laboratory of Clay Verris (Clive Owen) manages to create a clone of Brogan called Junior (still Will, but younger), in the belief that they have finally erased all traces of doubt from him. Junior’s final test will be to kill the defective version of Agent Brogan: the original one.

Ang Lee directs a pure entertainment movie with quite a good deal of action but rather fewer thrills. Gemini Man is weapon-loaded and filled with impressive special effects, which look and feel (especially with the 3D glasses on) absolutely flawless. Unfortunately, the film’s advanced technology cannot compensate for the shortcomings of its plot. The story moves logically, but lacks some of the introspection anticipated by the conversations and twists about doubts and conscience. Apart from the protagonist, the characters are left as pawns on the chessboard of Brogan’s life.

As the chase spans from one side of the Atlantic to the other, the audience is served splendid panoramic views and evocative location shots. The cast includes a cold-looking Clive Owen and the impeccable Smith, who manages here and there to drop some of his humorous pills – to notable effect after an intense combat scene. It is a thoroughly enjoyable two hours.

Cristiana Ferrauti

Gemini Man is released nationwide on 11^th October 2019.

Watch the trailer for Gemini Man here: