Director Ang Lee's Gemini Man has been screened for critics, and it blew their faces right
off.
Just when you thought movie magic had reached its pinnacle, critics are calling it a new
landmark in visual effects.
Based on the movie's plot about a hired killer who is stalked by a younger clone of himself,
observers have been quick to draw comparisons between Gemini Man and another recent flick,
the name of which escapes us.
Just kidding - it's Rian Johnson's 2012 film Looper, which sports a similar premise.
But Gemini Man has actually been in development for over 20 years.
The first script for the film was completed in 1997, and at that time, it was to be directed
by the late Top Gun director, Tony Scott.
Originally, the idea was to have different actors play the older and younger versions
of the main character, like they did in Looper, but once producers decided to have the same
actor play both parts, the wait for technology to catch up began.
Well, that technology is finally here, and director Ang Lee goes hog wild, using cutting
edge motion capture technology to render the younger version of Smith.
"I play both 50-year-old Henry and 23-year-old Junior, who is sent to kill him."
And Lee also shot the film at 120 frames per second rather than the typical 24 in order
to give it a sense of visceral realism.
The result, according to virtually every critic who has been lucky enough to feast their eyes
on the movie, is nothing short of mind-blowing.
A common thread among their remarks: this is the first film in years that you will definitely,
absolutely, positively have to see in 3-D.
Engadget editor Devindra Hardawar positively gushed over the film in a series of tweets.
"Vibrating from excitement after seeing Gemini Man.
It uses 120FPS and 3D to create some of the most exciting action sequences I've seen in
years.
Happy to see Ang Lee return to action, the choreography feels intense because it looks
so realistic."
He added,
"The script is a bit generic, but I think the visuals and Smith's performance overcomes
it.
In terms of groundbreaking visual experiments, this feels as important as Avatar."
That's a very bold statement, but other critics agreed that Gemini Man is arguably the first
film since Avatar that requires you to see it in 3-D to really get the full experience.
Syfywire feature editor Jordan Zakarin said
"Just saw the final cut of Ang Lee's #GeminiMan and it's probably the only movie I'd ever
say absolutely must be seen in 3D (and 4K, if possible).
I've never seen anything like it it felt like I was inside the movie."
The sentiment was echoed by Refinery29 senior editor Anne Cohen, who wrote,
"Just saw #GeminiMan and it's wiiiiiiild.
The young version of Will Smith is incredible, plus some truly beautiful action sequences
and a really great performance by Mary Elizabeth Winstead.
The only 3D movie I'll ever endorse."
Fandango managing editor Erik Davis agreed that it needed to be seen in 3-D, and also
highlighted how much detail went into making the film.
"There's one scene in #GeminiMan where old Smith and young Smith have an all-out brawl
with one another.
It's pretty amazing to watch.
I asked Ang Lee how they executed that sequence, and he said it was so involved it took 9 months
to complete.
9 months for a fight scene!"
Meanwhile, Yahoo!
Entertainment senior writer Ethan Alter focused on the film's groundbreaking use of a super
high frame rate.
"Even high-frame rate skeptics may be converted by what Ang Lee pulls off in #GeminiMan.
While not seamless, it's probably the strongest argument for HFR photography I've seen, and
the illusion actually gets better as the movie goes along."
The lovefest was perhaps summed up best by ComingSoon.net senior editor Max Evry:
"Ang Lee's #GeminiMan is a huge breakthrough for 120FPS presentation.
Action sequences are breathtaking in this format.
Will Smith's winning performance shows the level of scrutiny a real movie star can stand
up to.
If you don't see it in theaters you're missing a true experience."
"Action"
"Ooh, s---.
That's crazy!!"
All the praise on the film's technical details is fantastic, but it's Collider's Vinnie Mancuso
who really cuts to the chase and tells you what you truly need to know:
"In Gemini Man, the young Will Smith throws not one, but two (2) motorcycles at the old
Will Smith and that, to me, is very good.
Highly recommend."
Okay, we're sold.
We'll see you in line when Gemini Man hits the big screen on October 11.
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