There is not a Chris Evans movie that I wouldn’t watch, and his triumphant step into the role of villain following years of playing “the good guy,” solidified this for me, writes Cape {town} Etc’s Lynn Cupido.
Netflix has been pouring millions into creating original films and The Gray Man is just the latest on a long list of action content it’s bringing to viewers. The film is packed to the brim with stars, including Ryan Gosling, Ana de Armas, Evans and another Netflix darling, Regé-Jean Page.
At the helm are the masters of action, the Russo Brothers, who deliver their signature brand of cities being introduced in big letters, their love for Vienna, Austria, and a crisp visual style.
In a nutshell, the film follows one of the CIA’s top assets, Six, who unwittingly uncovers agency secrets which trigger a global hunt by assassins set loose by his ex-colleague.
If the brief was to embody a cold-blooded killer that’s both stoic and mysterious, Gosling does a stellar job. Despite the mystery, Gosling manages to add a bit of charm and cheek into his performance with a few funny moments that are not too over the top.
While his performance and stoic humour are one of my favourite bits in this film, it often feels as though the story is moving through what is meant to be the main character. The character of Six is left feeling as though things are happening to him as he’s jerked around from one location to the next by other characters.
Evans as the sociopathic villain is easily one of the best parts of this film. You can really tell he’s enjoying his time playing a villain, something he seemed to do so effortlessly in Knives Out too.
The film has all the ingredients for the perfect action blockbuster, including plenty of kickass scenes with guns, kicks, and blood to keep action junkies happy.
But while the film offers an interesting plot and plenty of dialogue, there’s still something missing. While action is enough to keep some viewers satisfied, the film feels as though it needs a bit more substance and it would’ve been amazing to see what was underneath the surface with a bit more character development.
The Gray Man is one of Netflix’s most expensive films to date, but all in all, I’d say it’s a $200-million well spent.
Also read:
‘Moonfall:’ A falling moon and Patrick Wilson, a Saturday night must-watch?
Picture: Netflix
