THE GRAY MAN: A Strong Cast, Isn't Enough To Not Feel Grey About Netflixes Latest
Netflix
Directed by The Russo Brothers
Director of Photography: Stephen F. Windon
Composer: Henry Jackman
Written by : Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely, Joe Russo, and Mark Greaney
Stars: Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jessica Henwick, Rege-Jean Page, Dhanush, Alfre Woodard, and Billy Bob Thornton
Netflix dropped a $200 million Spy Thriller on Netflix over the weekend, and though there were definitely elements to like about the streaming services latest release- there's just not enough to it for it be a compelling new possible franchise. Netflix could've had this action heavy film be more of a hit, had they wide released in a theatre where the sequences would have been much more epic and appreciated.
When the CIA's top asset -- his identity known to no one -- uncovers agency secrets, he triggers a global hunt by assassins set loose by his ex-colleague.
The screenplay is admittedly not the strongest, and the film expects viewers to remember and care about the characters on screen from an information dump at the start of the film. Theres so much written about these characters that we're expected to care for, but never throughout the runtime is there an actual investment in Gosling, de Armas, or anyone else for that matter. The political elements of the story are generic- and it feels like it doesn't have to be two hours long because you've likely seen all of this coming from previous films within the genre.
Thats not why many view these types of movies, and for that the sections that bring in viewers- is where the film does hit its beats. Some brilliant action sequences happen throughout it, though not without its own few visible flaws in some of the choppy editing decisions. Nonetheless the use of planes, trams, and vehicles will leave audiences wide jawed and glued to their couches ready for the next action sequence to run through. Theres no question about that, that for a summer fun action film- that The Gray Man can fill that quota when it focuses on the action and less on the political nonsense that it fails to hit its stride in telling.
The cast is strong as ever and that's the other area where the film gets positive points, as something worth the stream. Gosling is a strong lead, and there's no question that his protagonist Six is your standard spy hero character filled with some quick whips and unstoppability. While, Evans truly is the scene stealer of the film and is where The Gray Man really hits its beats. He thrives in the role of a lunatic psychopath that enjoys torturing and killing people - and you can see that getting the chance to play this kind of character was something Evans relished in as he really brings the film to life. Every character that's on screen with him, gets a massive boost and the chemistry is there with everyone. Unfortunately for everyone else, there's really not much for their characters to do- so lots of well known name like Page, Woodard, de Armas, and Henwick go to waste. Though, i'll give credits to Jessica Henwick who once again shows that she is massively captivating no matter how small her roles are- I truly hope that someone soon here casts her as a lead, because she has that star quality around her.
So in the end, when The Gray Man sinks into being just a standard summer action block buster it actually is a ton of fun- and for that reason alone I know that it will absolutely thrive on Netflix as the platforms latest big release. Just don't expect to get much or care much for the plot lines that they try to hit throughout the runtime.
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