16 Critically Dismissed Recent Movies (That Weren't As Bad As You Think)
10. Gemini Man
Rotten Tomatoes: 26% (Average Score: 4.69/10)
Critical Consensus: Gemini Man's impressive visuals are supported by some strong performances, but this sci-fi thriller is fatally undermined by a frustratingly subpar story.
Gemini Man was one of 2019's worst-reviewed blockbusters. Why?
Gemini Man is really not that bad. Will Smith is excellent and he's well-supported by Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Benedict Wong and Clive Owen, while Ang Lee's direction is actually pretty great. Meanwhile, the script isn't the best ever but it's average and formulaic as opposed to weak.
Gemini Man is not a film you'll remember but it makes for a very agreeable viewing in the moment and it's also got one of 2019's greatest set-pieces: a nearly flawless motorcycle chase scene which benefits hugely from the film's razor-sharp cinematography.
Still, there is a possible theory for the dislike for Gemini Man and that's that Game of Thrones' David Benioff is one of the screenwriters. Perhaps people are still upset about Game of Thrones' disappointing final season (fair enough, plenty of us are) and are venting. Reading through the IMDb reviews, that seems likely to some extent.