Is Gemini Man Any Good? Will It Be Worth Your Time?

With a budget of around $150 million, Gemini Man was intended to be a major release with a popular cast. However, it proved instead to be a sci-fi action film that has the hallmarks of a summer popcorn flick.

Will Smith has had ups and downs throughout his career. In 2016, Smith’s film Collateral Beauty did a modest $88 million despite horrible reviews, while last year’s Aladdin amassed over $1 billion and was beloved by most audiences.

It is rare, therefore, to come across a film of his that didn’t make enough to break even. While its mixed reviews and a pretty solid plotline could confuse viewers, I’d recommend giving it a watch to see for yourself.

1. Quick Review

Smith plays a top secret government assassin, who faces the threat of his lifetime when he finds out a younger clone of himself is trying to kill him. That’s it, that’s the whole film in a line.

The plot line holds up simply because it’s been overdone. The cinematography, for an Ang Lee one, is surprisingly bad. Don’t even get me started on the terrible motorcycle chases.

2. Info

3. Is It Worth Watching?

Gemini Man has a bad storyline that is muddled and makes no sense. It’s inconsistent, badly made, and presents a shallow examination of its themes. It feels like a movie made from a synopsis of an idea.

However, it also contains a charming cast with terrific chemistry together and fun moments of banter. All Gemini Man needed was a good story to hold it all together and turn it into a win.

Gemini Man (2019) - Official Trailer - Paramount Pictures

Gemini Man has several important ingredients demonstrating what you should be getting from future blockbuster films, like it’s state-of-the-art technology. However, in terms of, basic filmmaking, character development and screenwriting, it is a disappointment.

So much of the setup for the plot and the way it unfolds is bizarre. At some point, stopping to try and make sense of things and waiting for the next amusing interactions from the stars would be a much better use of your time.

I. Plot

Henry Brogan (played by Will Smith) is a highly skilled assassin working for an intelligence agency run by Janet Lassiter (played by Linda Emond). Brogan is great at his job, until mistakes a scientist for a terrorist and shoots him.

He retires, returning to a boat dock to meet Danny Zakarweski (played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead). Brogan is suspicious about her. Is she a plant sent to keep tabs on him, sent by Clay Verris (played by Clive Owen)?

After colleagues start being murdered, Brogan goes on the run with Danny, who turns out to be an agent. When Lassiter’s attempts to neutralize Brogan fail, Clay executes something called Gemini, which involves a younger version of Smith dubbed Junior.

Gemini Man gives you a battle of Wills, with multiple sequences where 51-year old Brogan goes toe-to-toe with his younger self. It takes a long time for Brogan to realize Junior looks just like him. Maybe it’s the CGI cheekbones.

What follows is peppered by the ever-humorous Benedict Wong’s jokes, Winstead kicking ass and Brogan constantly on the run. Who will win the battle of Wills? Watch the film to find out.

II. Music and Visuals

The music director of this film is Lorne Balfe. He is a Scottish composer and producer of film, television, and video game scores. He is a veteran of Hans Zimmer’s Remote Control Productions.

Balfe is known for his composing music for Mission: Impossible – Fallout, Home and Penguins of Madagascar. He is also known for his score for video games like Assassin’s Creed III, Crysis 2, Skylanders and the Call of Duty franchise.

The soundtrack of this film holds songs like Afterthought by Douglas Cameron, Brighter Day by Phillip Baker, Cards On The Table by James Dunn, Catagena and Last Shot by Lorne Balfe.

Gemini Man isn’t good enough to buy a ticket for, apart from its revolutionary CGI. In regular format theaters, the lower frame rates and lower quality of visuals and color creates a false impression of acceptable quality.

This movie is only worth seeing in theaters precisely because of the 4K at 120 FPS + Dolby Vision + 3D. It will also help shape your expectations for future blockbuster releases.

Balfe has previously been nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards, four BAFTA Awards, and four IMFCA Awards. He has won a Grammy (The Dark Knight), five ASCAP Film and TV Awards and an Independent Shorts Award (Master Moley).

4. Grade

5. Final Thoughts

Ang Lee’s direction of films such as Brokeback Mountain and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon makes this one seem hollow. Although filled with multiple action sequences and CGI from the future, it echoes with screenwriting from the past.

Gemini Man isn’t much apart from a one-time watch at best. However, despite its terrible writing and dialogues, I found myself enjoying some of it.

Will Will Smith kill Will Smith? Only one way to find out.