Ang Lee is always one to push the envelope, technologically, for the betterment of the story he is telling with his films. That was certainly the case with the movie that, in many ways, put him on the map of global filmmakers whose name had become a brand, 2000’s Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon right on through the simultaneously heartbreaking and life affirming The Life of Pi. He’s done it again with Gemini Man, out now on 4K, Blu-Ray, DVD and digital download formats. You may wonder how can I truly appreciate the majesty of what he does on the small(er) screen? If there was one movie that could push someone to purchase a 4K Blu-Ray player, it is Lee’s latest. Watching it at 60 frames-per-second on the 4K release is one of the most gloriously lush cinematic experience one can have at home.
In the not-so-distant future, the world’s best hitman Henry Brogan (Will Smith), is being pursued and essentially hunted by a killer who looks an awful lot like what he sees in the mirror. Junior is 20 (also Smith) is a clone crafted by Clay Verris (Clive Owen), figuring that Brogan was on his way out.
How do you replace the unreplaceable?
Once that cat’s out of the bag, it’s not like Brogan could remain above ground. The moral, scientific and power play struggle comprises a bulk of Gemini Man. The technological marvel that is Lee’s work not only makes it real when both Smiths are facing off, conversing or chasing each other, it is seamless. That is a testament to the technology, as many a movie have employed the same actor to play a multitude of parts that share a scene geography, yes, but the true tech gift here is how Smith performs opposite himself and the challenge he rose to … MORE
As impeccable as the tech journey is, the story of Gemini Man suffers from a staleness that is difficult to shake. Smith does marvels with both roles and that is another facet outside the technical progression that resonates. He is one of our most beloved big screen thespians, and with Lee’s latest, we get two! Also strong is Mary Elizabeth Winstead. Her Danny Zakarweski is also a clandestine agent who Brogan picks out immediately when she is supposed to be undercover. The pair bond and that too is another non-tech facet that makes Gemini Man better. But too often it drifts into predictable narrative territory that ironically feels like something we have seen before.
Gemini Man is a worthy film for serving as an inspiration. With the right tale, technology can be a means to an ends. As we detail in our theatrical Gemini Man review further, Smith and Lee’s latest falls short but is one of those movies that should be seen for its contribution to the artform. Why the flick, particularly in 4K, is worth a purchase is those bonus features serve as a master class where Professor Lee is in session.
First of all, there is an alternate opening. Frequently when these things are included in a home video release, it’s just a couple of minutes that makes you go, “Hmm, that was interesting.” Not with Lee! His alternative opening is almost six minutes long and puts an interesting shadow over the experience that is the remainder of Gemini Man.
Now, into the tech with The Vision of Ang Lee. This featurette features a terrific discussion about the 4K, 3-D 120-frames-per-second aspect of shooting and how Lee believes that the specific method of filmmaking has a strong influence over the response from the audience in terms of the story and how it’s told. Debate with your movie watching mates begins in 3, 2, 1…
The Future Is Now is not only supremely in-depth, but its spotlight on the de-aging technology is incredibly timely. With the release of Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman, so much was made of the cost of de-aging all of Scorsese’s stars so that he could tell a decades in the making story utilizing the same actors. For Lee, it was entirely different modus operandi in that the younger Smith was integral to the drama at the heart of the action/thriller. Viewers get a rich lesson in the technology that Lee used for his film and utilizes a few key action scenes to make his point. With the headline-garnering The Irishman in the background of the viewer, it is truly intriguing to see the filmmaker extol the virtues of this cinematic advancement. It does make one wonder where this goes from here. Some circles fear a Pandora’s Box situation, but Lee stressed that when employed for narrative purposes and not simply for flash and sizzle, it is an enormous filmmaking technological plus.
Where did this idea for Lee’s latest even come from? The Genesis of Gemini Man finds producer Jerry Bruckheimer, Lee and Smith examining the long and winding road that is bringing the story to the silver screen. It was more than simply waiting for the technology to catch up to the imagination and let’s just say my studious impressiveness with Lee from a filmmaking standpoint is ever increased after experiencing this Genesis.
Next Level Detail takes a deeper look at the catacombs and how this particular set piece was integral to what Lee hoped to achieve. Why? Well, you’re just going to have to dive into the featurette and discover. Like everything else on the 4K extras, it’s gold.
The titanic trio—Bruckheimer, Lee and Smith—dive into some heady stuff that their film raises with Facing Your Younger Self. Got to love it when a bonus feature addresses head-on the types of metaphysical inquiries that could be set in motion from experiencing the making or simply viewing a film like Gemini Man. Smith seems quite proud of himself for an acting challenge he sounds like he wasn’t sure how it would go when he first approached the Lee flick. After all, it’s not like this is something you can train for.
There is a fantastic, almost 16-minute, look at the crafting of the action sequences (including the tough as nails choreography), the shooting locations and more in that realm in Setting the Action. After witnessing Lee’s latest, this is the rarest of making-of featurettes that answers the major “how’d they do that?” questions that arise while witnessing the flick and gives all involved enough time to explore the nuances that accompany any artistic endeavor.
Film Grade: C
Bonus Features: A