By Shane J Alliew
Sharjah, Aug 9, 2022: Running at 129 minutes, made at a budget of US$200 million and having raked in US$451 million, thus far, The Gray Man stars Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans and Ana de Armas.
The film is directed by Anthony and Joe Russo (Captain America & Avengers: Endgame); the brothers are the second most commercially successful directors of all time, behind Steven Spielberg.
For Indians across the globe the film has a special appeal, as it also stars in a fight sequence, our own Dhanush, known as The Lone Wolf who is sent out to terminate Sierra Six (Gosling), an apparently rogue turned agent who possesses an encrypted drive which he got off another dying Sierra ‘rogue agent’, he was sent to terminate – turning Six himself into a hunted man.
Hounding him is our Captain America, the anti-protagonist of the film, Lloyd Hansen (Chris Evans), who works under the direct orders of Denny Carmichael (Regé-Jean Page of Bridgerton fame), a CIA official who seeks not only to annihilate the Sierra programme but also is known for his ruthless methods, corruption and king-maker moves.
Even though the plot is simple, it yet grips the attention of the audience, especially when one knows that the clash of the Titans between the good and the evil is thrilling, keeps one on the edge of their seats and is a chase worth the watch with the stunts and special effects.
So what sets (or does it) The Gray Man apart from 007 or MI (Mission Impossible)? Well, everything and nothing – the stories are majorly the same – good guy versus bad guy, some world threatening gadget or document or secret or plans go amiss and needs to be retrieved with the assistance of the badass kicking female co-star and bingo we have a money-spinner! Well, by looking at the statistics we are able to certainly know that the Netflix distributed film has been one – high on entertainment and worth the watch.
In terms of acting there is nothing much expected nor delivered, it is an action film after all, and at the cost of being hounded by critics, might I add that all one needs in an action film is the aggression, anger and a whole lot of thrills – all of which The Gray Man delivers, in sequences which would make the common man clap, jump in joy and come out of the theatre with a feel good factor, which is the prime function of an entertaining film.
On a rainy afternoon, when the dark thunder clouds clap and the skies are split by streaks of lightning, then one knows it is time to switch on to Netflix (amidst the work from home schedule) and watch The Gray Man – go ahead and indulge yourself!
Rating: 3/5