Skydance Media and Alibaba Pictures’ Gemini Man (dubbed from the Hollywood film of the same name; UA) is an action thriller about a celebrated hitman targeted by a younger clone of himself.
Henry Brogan (Will Smith) is an ageing government assassin who retires after completing a job. He later comes to know that the man he had killed was an innocent scientist who had tried to leave a cloning project. Henry is now targeted by Clay Varris’ (Olive Owen) top assassin. Clay is head of a top-secret black ops unit codenamed GEMINI. The top assassin is revealed to be Clay’s adopted son, Junior, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Henry. Intrigued, Henry and his friend, Danny (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), try to solve the mystery and realise that Junior is Henry’s clone.
Does Junior join Henry or does he remain against him? What happens to Clay’s sinister plans?
Darren Lemke and David Benioff have written a complex story which doesn’t really hold much interest for the Hindi film-going audience. The screenplay, penned by David Benioff, Billy Ray and Darren Lemke, is interesting in parts but it is also confusing. There are too many twists and turns, some of them not engaging enough.
Will Smith does a very fine job as Henry. He is also good as Junior. The clone, Junior, is portrayed through motion capture and de-aging. Mary Elizabeth Winstead is quite good as Danny. Clive Owen lends able support as Clay. Benedict Wong is alright as Baron, a colleague of Henry and Danny. Ilia Volok (as Yuri) and the others provide decent support.
Ang Lee’s direction is quite alright but the fact remains that the action-ridden drama will keep only a section of the audience engaged. Lorne Balfe’s background music is effective. Dion Beebe’s cinematography is very nice. Production designing (by Guy Hendrix Dyas) is very good. Tim Squyres’ editing is alright but could’ve been sharper. Dubbing is quite good.
On the whole, Gemini Man does not have much masala for the Hindi film-going audience and will, therefore, do dull business.
Released on 11-10-’19 at Gemini (daily 3 shows) and other cinemas of Bombay thru Viacom18 Motion Pictures. Publicity: so-so. Opening: weak. …….Also released all over. Opening was below the mark everywhere.