The Gray Man Movie Review
Ryan Gosling, known for roles in "La La Land" and "Drive," steps into the action genre, inching closer to superhero territory in the mega-budget Netflix production "The Gray Man." Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, the brains behind "Avengers: Endgame," the film is adapted from Mark Greaney's book, with aspirations to launch a new blockbuster franchise. However, the lack of creative oversight raises concerns about the film's identity. While fitting the Netflix algorithm, "The Gray Man" struggles to leave a lasting impression, offering explosive action but lacking memorable substance. If this marks the beginning of a franchise, one can hope for more clarity in future installments.
The story follows Ryan Gosling as Sierra Six, a spy recruited from prison by handler Donald Fitzroy (Billy Bob Thornton). The narrative kicks off with a mission gone awry, setting Six on a path of revelations and a relentless pursuit of truth. The introduction of a new boss, Denny Carmichael (Regé-Jean Page), adds complexity, leading to a high-stakes chase and a clash between Six and former CIA operative Lloyd Hansen (Chris Evans). The film weaves a tale of good and bad, with espionage, explosions, and a damsel in distress, yet struggles to define its characters beyond clichés.
While some action sequences stand out, the film's pervasive low-light cinematography dulls the charisma of the talented cast, including Gosling, Evans, and Ana de Armas. The lack of character depth, especially for de Armas' role, contributes to the film's overall predictability. The narrative fails to elevate the threat posed by Evans' character, depicting him more as a reckless force than a formidable adversary. The script attempts to establish Hansen as a terrifying genius, but the execution falls short.
"The Gray Man" misses an opportunity to be joyously over-the-top, opting for a programmatic approach that sacrifices the fun factor. The film's failure to take risks reflects a broader trend in streaming entertainment, driven more by algorithms than human creativity. While delivering explosive action, "The Gray Man" falls short of achieving the innovative impact seen in successful franchises like "John Wick," "Mission: Impossible," or "Mad Max: Fury Road." It remains to be seen if streaming giants like Netflix will embrace true creativity and deliver a cinematic breakthrough.
The Gray Man Movie Story
Ryan Gosling takes on the role of Sierra Six, a spy with a mysterious past, in the Netflix mega-budget production "The Gray Man." Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, the film adapts Mark Greaney's book, with ambitions to kickstart a new franchise. Gosling's character, recruited from prison by handler Donald Fitzroy (Billy Bob Thornton), embarks on a high-stakes mission that quickly goes awry.
As Sierra Six faces unexpected challenges, a new boss, Denny Carmichael (Regé-Jean Page), introduces complexities that set the stage for a thrilling chase. The narrative unfolds with revelations, betrayals, and the emergence of a former CIA operative, Lloyd Hansen (Chris Evans), as a formidable adversary. The plot weaves espionage, action, and suspense, incorporating classic elements of the genre.
Despite the explosive action sequences, the film's cinematography, dominated by low-light settings, detracts from the screen presence of Gosling, Evans, and Ana de Armas. Character depth becomes a casualty, particularly in the underdeveloped role of de Armas' character. The clash between Six and Hansen lacks the anticipated tension, with Hansen portrayed more as a reckless force than a strategic genius.
"The Gray Man" treads familiar ground with clichéd character traits and predictable plot points. The film's failure to embrace an over-the-top, joyous approach hampers its potential as a new blockbuster franchise. Reflecting broader trends in streaming entertainment, the film's reluctance to take creative risks underscores the influence of algorithms over genuine human creativity. As streaming platforms aim for cinematic breakthroughs, "The Gray Man" falls short of reaching the innovative heights set by iconic franchises in the action genre.