With huge advances in computer-generated graphics, the new version could have easily fallen into a rut of just looking good but be empty of fresh ideas, so it’s not surprising that this take is so uneven. The acting must be addressed first and it’s inconsistent to say the least. The film’s structure is also suspect by revelling the alien monster way too early in the proceedings and dissipating the sense of dread that both Carpenter and Hawks worked so effectively with.

What we are left with is a modern flick that sits rather uncomfortably with its somewhat low-fi look and up to date technology. The acting, which is a bit of a distraction, is less intrusive when the monsters take full flight and this transforms the experience into a decent contemporary science fiction thriller.

It’s best to remove the baggage of expectations and previous knowledge of the film’s gestation and what you get is good time trashy fun with some interesting new monster effects. It’s also best not to read too many reviews of this film because the end contains a twist that if known before the film’s conclusion seriously impacts its fun.

Rob Hudson
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Never taking itself too seriously, it fires off a lot of bursts of energy and then moves on quickly regardless of their level of impact. In this way, it buries those ineffective moments before they do too much harm to the forward momentum. The wise cracking bad guy has a long and successful history in film and turning that tradition around into a wise cracking bad girl is artfully accomplished.

Robbie is her usual magnetic self and even with the bleached white makeup, her true colours shine through. She is fast becoming a Hollywood institution. There is even a scene mid-film where she gets to pay homage to tinsel town’s all time favourite blonde and it shows how comfortably she has become assimilated into that most exclusive of clubs.

Shot almost entirely on a film set, the comic book feel is never far from the mind and the conversations and monologues are easy to see contained in speech bubbles. Setting the uneven moments aside, it’s clear that these girls just want to have fun and it’s difficult to resist the infectious sense of it all.

Rob Hudson
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“Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)” is a twisted tale told by Harley herself, as only Harley can tell it. When Gotham’s most nefariously narcissistic villain, Roman Sionis, and his zealous right-hand, Zsasz, put a target on a young girl named Cass, the city is turned upside down looking for her.

Harley, Huntress, Black Canary and Renee Montoya’s paths collide, and the unlikely foursome have no choice but to team up to take Roman down.

BIRDS OF PREY releases in Australia in theatres on February 6, 2020.
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For as much as the computer technology to make the actors look like younger versions of themselves has been heralded, in practice it turns out rather odd looking. When viewing the younger version of Henry Brogan (Will Smith), it almost looks like he’s overdone the botox. There is little emotion seen. The extremely high resolution of the film does not help this anomaly either.

Director Ang Lee holds nothing back with the action sequences and many of them are amazing to look at. One action scene set in a convenience store is particularly impressive with lines of tracer fire criss crossing the air and explosions filling the scene with visual information. The sound design also helps to sell the impact.

What little story there is, a retiring assassin has to fight a cloned version of himself is perfectly adequate to stitch together all the action scenes. At times spectacular to look at and with some rather gripping action sequences, Gemini Man tries to set a new standard for the level of immersion that the 3D format is capable of and should help to raise the bar on the popcorn movie.
Rob Hudson
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Gemini Man is an innovative action-thriller starring Will Smith as Henry Brogan, an elite assassin, who is suddenly targeted and pursued by a mysterious young operative that seemingly can predict his every move.

The film is directed by Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Ang Lee and produced by renowned producers Jerry Bruckheimer, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger. Also starring are Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Clive Owen and Benedict Wong.

Gemini Man will be released in Australian cinemas October 10!
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BIRDS OF PREY is directed by Cathy Yan from a script by Christina Hodson, the film is based on characters from DC.

BIRDS OF PREY releases in Australia in theatres on February 6, 2020.
www.facebook.com/roadshow

Gemini Man is an innovative action-thriller starring Will Smith as Henry Brogan, an elite assassin, who is suddenly targeted and pursued by a mysterious young operative that seemingly can predict his every move.

The film is directed by Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Ang Lee and produced by renowned producers Jerry Bruckheimer, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger. Also starring are Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Clive Owen and Benedict Wong.

Experience the visual spectacle of GEMINI MAN, starring Will Smith, in cinemas OCTOBER 10.
www.facebook.com/ParamountPicturesAU

The film is directed by Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Ang Lee and produced by renown producers Jerry Bruckheimer, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger. Also starring are Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Clive Owen and Benedict Wong.

Gemini Man will be released in Australian cinemas October 10!
www.facebook.com/ParamountPicturesAU

The film is directed by Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Ang Lee and produced by renown producers Jerry Bruckheimer, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger. Also starring are Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Clive Owen and Benedict Wong.

Gemini Man will be released in Australian cinemas October 10!
www.facebook.com/ParamountPicturesAU

The film is directed by Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Ang Lee and produced by renown producers Jerry Bruckheimer, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger.  Also starring are Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Clive Owen and Benedict Wong.

“This story is not one that could have been told with cinema as we know it. However, thanks to incredible new digital technology, not only can we finally see both younger and older Will Smith embodied together on screen, but we can also experience the story in a deeply immersive way. It is my great fortune to be able to experiment and test the limits of what new digital cinema has to offer us. No less so to be able to work with two Will Smiths – One beautifully sophisticated, the other exuberantly honest. In my opinion, this is Will at his very best, and when the two come together, it is something truly magical. Further, the immense effort and technical skill of the crew in creating a new aesthetic, between the cinematography, art department, visual effects, and technical team, was both inspiring and heartwarming. I truly hope that this movie delivers a completely new theatrical cinematic experience to audiences across the world.”
– Ang Lee, Director of GEMINI MAN
 
“The emotional and physical challenges of making this film have been the most demanding of my career. Ang is pushing the limits to give people an experience in the movie theater that you can’t get anywhere else. This is not only an action film, but an exploration of what one’s younger self can ultimately teach one’s older self. I’m 50-years-old now, and the irony of becoming 23-year-old Junior in this film is that 23-year-old me wouldn’t have been ready for this experience or to take on this role. Our hope is that this story provides something for everyone — never before seen cinematic wizardry, nuanced, relatable characters and next-level action.”
– Will Smith, Starring in GEMINI MAN

Gemini Man is in Australian cinemas October 10!
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