Join Will Smith and Tom Holland on the mission of a lifetime. Bring home the adventure on Digital, Blu-ray, and 4K Ultra HD on March 10.
In this high-flying animated comedy, super spy Lance Sterling (Will Smith) and scientist Walter Beckett (Tom Holland) are almost exact opposites. Lance is smooth, suave and debonair. Walter is none of the above. But this unlikely duo must team up for the ultimate mission to save the world when a “biodynamic concealment” experiment transforms Lance into a brave, fierce, majestic…pigeon!
Experience the hilarious thrills of SPIES IN DISGUISE, which is Certified-Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes™, from the comfort of your own home, along with Blu-rayTMbonus features including multiple making-of featurettes and two awesome music videos. Additionally, the Blu-rayTMeditionofSPIES IN DISGUISEincludes “Super Secret Spy Mode,” an immersive, in-movie experience that takes you deeper into the story with Easter eggs, fun facts, and behind-the-scenes insights into the making of the film.
Add SPIES IN DISGUISEto your digital collection on Movies Anywhere, or own iton 4K Ultra HDTM, Blu-rayTMand DVD on March 10.
SPIES IN DISGUISE Digital & Blu-ray Bonus Features:
Michael Bay has a brief cameo in BAD BOYS FOR LIFE but the chaotic filmmaker is no longer behind the wheel. The co-directors for the 16-year delayed third act of the action franchise, billed as Adil and Bilaii (Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah) rehash Bay’s noisy high concept antics but focus more on plot and character than one might expect. Yes, there’s foul language and loads of state-of-the-art Miami car chases and gunfights (several involving helicopters), but BAD BOYS FOR LIFE seems less vulgar and less dependent on slow motion, jokey interplay and catchphrases than its Bay-helmed predecessors (whose padded out entries were all padding all the time). BAD BOYS FOR LIFE is surprisingly fun stuff — crackling, playfully escapist summer fare dumped into the low-expectations market of mid-January.
In BAD BOYS FOR LIFE, the past conviction of an old flame (and South American drug cartel leader… and possible witch) Isabel (Kate del Castillo) comes back to haunt longtime Miami cop Mike (Will Smith) in a big way after she breaks out and orders her son Armando (Jacob Scipio) to begin whacking everyone involved with her case. When “Bulletproof Mike” is shot by a motorcycle-riding Armando, it tests the “for life” part of the maxim Mike has had with his long-time partner Marcus (Martin Lawrence). While Marcus wants to retire from the dangers of law enforcement and settle into his new role as grandpa, Mike seeks revenge for the shooting that left him near death. The duo are reluctantly teamed up with a squad of tech-savvy younger cops known as AMMO that include Vanessa Hudgens (third-billed but underused), Alexander Ludwig and Charles Melton, and led by Paola Nuñez, a potential new love interest for Mike.
BAD BOYS FOR LIFE is formula. There are plenty of explosions out of nowhere and overindulgent action sequences that define this series. But it works best with the dialog and slapstick bits by Smith and especially Lawrence (after a long big-screen hiatus) who gives a genuinely world-weary comic performance. His conversations with God are played for laughs but seem genuine. There’s still the occasional shout of “Ah, Hell No!” and “Sh*t just got real!” as Smith and Lawrence recapture and improve upon the chemistry they displayed early in the series, at times even making way for character development, domestic warmth, and depth. Joe Pantoliano’s droll shtick as the boy’s excitable Captain gooses the proceedings, Kate del Castillo makes a devilishly exotic villain, and Jacob Scipio scores as her hair-trigger son. Screenwriters Chris Bremner, Peter Craig, and Joe Carnahan present a story that builds and holds interest. BAD BOYS FOR LIFE has some splattery, R-rated violence which make it more watchable and adult than something like HOBBS AND SHAW and its 123 minute never seem overlong. If you don’t hold too high of expectations, you should have a good time with BAD BOYS FOR LIFE.
The morning of the big day has finally arrived. The toys are opened and the house is “knee-deep” in glossy wrapping paper. After a big breakfast or brunch, what are you going to do when the tots start to bounce off the walls? Well, you pile them in the car and head out to the movies, at least that’s what the studios are hoping. So after playing with the toys from Santa, how about a new animated kid flick that’s about toys? We’re not talking about Woody and Buzz (so last Summer), but high tech spy gadgets and gizmos aplenty. Bond won’t be back for a few more months, and he’s a bit too “randy” for the wee ones, so who’s more family-friendly (especially in ‘toon form’ than Will Smith? He has had a busy year, going from Genie to Gemini Man and now he’s one of the SPIES IN DISGUISE.
But we don’t meet “big Willie” when the story starts. It’s a flashback, fifteen years ago, with a little guy who amuses his policewoman mom with his cardboard and paste devices that explode in glitter. He seems to be a grade school spy guy. Flash forward cut to now, as the real deal, super-secret agent Lance Sterling (voice of Smith) infiltrates a snow covered fortress. His mission: stop Killian (Ben Mendelsohn) from acquiring a list of all active undercover agents from data kingpin Kimura (Masi Oka). After evading the horde of assassins and hitmen, Lance almost succeeds until he’s tripped up by a bit of tech. But the pursuit of Killian has to be put on hold as he’s called back to HQ in D.C. (under the pool at the Lincoln Memorial). On the way in he dresses down and fires newbie gadget inventor Walter Beckett (Tom Holland), the now-adult kid from earlier. But the routine meeting with Lance’s boss Joy Jenkins (Reba McEntire) goes off the rails when she shows him a video of the data thief, who now has Lance’s face (though with Killian’s robotic hand). Suddenly the doors burst open to reveal the head of the agency security, Marcy Kappel (Rashida Jones) with her aides Eyes (Karen Gillan) and Ears (DJ Khaled), who are there to detain and question Lance. But he escapes, hoping to clear his name. He’ll need some more gizmos so he goes to the home of the guy he just fired. Luckily Walter’s working on the ultimate disguise formula and shows the agent some of his new projects. Thinking it’s a glass of water, Lance gulps down that formula and changes into a…pigeon. It’ll take Walter 18 hours to make a possible antidote, but Marcy has tracked them down. They’ve got to avoid her and her crew while following Killian’s trail from a swanky Mexican ocean resort to the streets and canals of Venice. But how can Lance accomplish this when he’s (in his own words) a “feathered street rat”?
The voice cast brings a great deal of energy and expert timing to the often meandering script. Particularly entertaining is the chemistry between the film’s “action buddy” pairing of the lead duo. Each of them brings a lot of their previous feature film personas into these roles. Smith’s Lance has much of the cool swagger of his MEN IN BLACK’s Agent J mixed with the bravado of his last real secret agent roles in the box office fizzles GEMINI MAN and WILD WILD WEST (whew that one still smells after 20 years). And he’s just got a way with the wisecracks as he’s walloping a nearly endless stream of thugs. He’s an engaging counterpart to Holland’s brainy but timid Walter who’s a not so distant cousin to Peter Parker (minus the arachnid abilities and Stark upgrades). Luckily he’s got an infectious enthusiasm and appears to enjoy getting away from the lab, despite his trembling qualms. These two truly “play” well together. And they work splendidly against Mendelsohn who seems to be doing a whimsical comic “riff’ on his many sneering baddies as Killian. Jones makes Marcy most endearing as Marcy, who’s a more quick-witted take on the old “good guy who figures out she’s trying to nab another good guy” ala Tommy Lee Jones in THE FUGITIVE. And McEntire is a terrific “boss Lady” as Joy, though I really thought it was Holly Hunter when she first ordered Lance about.
Hard to believe, but this is the 13th feature film from Fox’s animation branch Blue Sky Studios (the first ICE AGE was in 2002), but the film certainly deserves a place at the “table’ along with the Disney/Pixar folks and Illumination. The movement is fluid and the colors, especially in the exotic locales, really pop off the screen (hopefully 3D doesn’t dull their luster). Particularly impressive is the character design work with Lance and Walter really resembling their human actors, but with some fun “tweaks”. Lance really captures Smith’s head shape, with subtle shading to denote a chiseled cheek, which flows right into the puffed upper body (perhaps the legs could be a bit thicker to support that torso). Walter’s got a clown-like bulbous nose which is well framed by his frizzy-mopped hair, all atop a gangly body that recalls many a silent movie clown. Really, the visual performances of the two are terrific. Unfortunately, lance spends a bit too much time in pigeon form, with a bowling pin design that’s weighted at the bottom, making him move like a billiard ball in a wet sack. The other birds they encounter aren’t much more visually interesting, despite the weird thing (a stick candy “drop”) on the head of one (guess he’s “zany”). The first time feature-directing duo of Nick Bruno and Troy Quane handle the big action set piece with vigor, but the film falters a bit in the quieter moments. That may be the main fault in the script which too often goes for easy “gross-out” gags (massive Kimura is without his robe while losing control of his “functions”). And Lance is much more interesting in his human form (the lil’ ones may be impatient for more funny spy action minus the feathers). But it’s a relief that the moral of learning to ask for help and not getting too “cocky’ isn’t “hammered” home as in too many family-friendly flicks. SPIES IN DISGUISE has enough eye candy, wit, and vocal talent to be a pretty painless post-holiday trek to the multiplex. It doesn’t soar, but the flick never crashes, as Lance does at his first flight attempt. Maybe for the follow-up they’ll lose the avian angle.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Will Smith in Gemini Man from Paramount Pictures, Skydance and Jerry Bruckheimer Films.
Will Smith fans get a double dose of the star in the action thriller GEMINI MAN, where Smith plays a retired assassin who is being targeted by a younger version of himself. This film is action-heavy but less sci-fi than the premise might suggest, and the most surprising thing about this conventional action thriller is that it is directed by Ang Lee, the Oscar-winning director of BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, LIFE OF PI, CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON and the oft-overlooked gem RIDE WITH THE DEVIL.
Basically, GEMINI MAN is a movie for
Will Smith fans rather than Ang Lee fans. Focused on showcasing its
star, this action film uses a whole toolbox of tried-and-true action
tropes, like chases through crowded streets, one-on-one face-of
fights and familiar plot devices and character types. This movie is
not about the plot so much as the action and its star. While nothing
happens that you don’t expect, GEMINI MAN provides plenty of popcorn
entertain for Will Smith fans.
While the story and action are
unremarkable, it does use an innovative technique to allow Will Smith
to also play a younger version of himself. Rather than using the
usual CGI de-aging, this film used motion-capture and then replaces
the face of the younger assassin, played by a stunt double in fight
scenes and Smith in other scenes. That may sound easy but in fact it
is incredibly difficult to do with a human face, as opposed to an
ape-like face or fantasy creature, due to a psychological effect
called the “uncanny valley,” where a face that is very
nearly human but not quite creates a feeling of unease in the viewer.
GEMINI MAN’s effects succeed in this respect, and to best appreciate
that, you would have to see the film in a theater that shows it in
the 120 frames-per-second speed in 3D as intended, which reportedly
no US theaters are doing. Without that, GEMINI MAN is otherwise an
unremarkable actioner.
Of course, that may not matter to Will Smith fans, who will just go along for the escapist entertainment ride and may not even notice the special effects accomplishment. And this is not the only action thriller Ang Lee has helmed, having directed the comic book actioner HULK. Just as stars often do paycheck movies to fund another passion project film, that may be what Ang Lee is doing here. The film is produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and bears more of his mark than Lee’s.
GEMINI MAN is really all about the
gimmick of a CGI younger Will Smith fighting the older Will Smith,
but fans probably won;t mind. Smith plays an master assassin named
Henry who just want to retire from U.S. government service. His
handler agrees to let him go but his former mentor, played by Clive
Owen, who is now an independent contractor with the agency, has other
plans. and sends a younger cloned version of the retired assassin to
kill him. As the older Henry fends off his younger self, he tries to
unravel the mystery of who he is and why he wants to kill him, in a
globe-trotting quest, with the help of pilot buddy Benedict Wong and
young spy Mary Elizabeth Winstead.
GEMINI MAN serves its purpose as a
vehicle for its star. Will Smith delivers his usual on-screen charm,
while the action sequences putting him through his movie star paces.
Clive Owen delivers the required creepiness as the architect of this
cloning scheme, while … play the required support roles to get the
hero where he needs to be, although none of this makes much of a
demand on the supporting cast.. The concept has a little fun as it
allows the older Will Smith character to indulge that common fantasy
of talking to his younger self, and it is clear Smith is relishing
those bits. But while the film’s premise of having Smith battling and
pursued by his younger self has some thought-provoking potential, the
film leaves most of that on the table untouched.
The film recycles plenty from other
action/sci-fi thrillers, including THE MATRIX, JOHN WICK, the Bourne
movies, even Charlize Theron’s ATOMIC BLONDE- enough so that an
action-thriller fan could almost make a game out of checking off the
references to other better action films. Even casting Owen in this
role hearkens back to the Bourne movies, as he now runs a secret
organization turning people into enhanced, weaponized assassins. In
this case, he sends a younger version on Smith’s character to
assassin at the assassin. If you saw the trailer, there are no
spoilers there, as it gives you that much,as does Smith making the
talk show rounds,
Promotion of the film has made much of
its technical side. The movie uses 125 frame per second
hyper-realism, 3D effects and a digitally-created human rather than
the usual GCI effects to create the younger assassin Junior. The film
uses motion-capture on the stunt man battling Will Smith in
hand-to-hand action and on Smith himself playing the young assassin
Junior. Instead of using de-aging CGI, Smith’s face is replaced with
an animated version, a daunting technical feat with the human face
where a near-miss creates an unsettling effect called the “uncanny
valley.” The effect succeeds in avoiding that, an impressive
accomplishment, but there are moments when the digitally-created face
sometimes appears a bit off. The effect works best in the action
sequences but less well in some of the others, when it seems too
obvious that this is a super-imposed face.
At the same time, GEMINI MAN also
depends heavily on a very old movie technique, speeded-up action,
which has been used since he silent movie era (when it was called
under-cranking) to create tension and energy in the action sequences.
One of the best action sequences is featured in the movie’s trailer,
involving a fight with motorcycle, although much of the chase that
proceeds it references the Bourne movies. Other action sequences draw
on similar scenes from THE MATRIX and JOHN WICK movies, and others.
None of that is to say the film does
not succeed in its mission, which is to just deliver action thrills
featuring the star. GEMINI MAN fully does that. Still, if you are
thinking about seeing GEMINI MAN because it is directed by Ang Lee,
you should check those expectations beyond the technical. If you are
a Will Smith fan, this film satisfies that itch. For popcorn-munching
escapist entertainment, GEMINI MAN may be your ticket but it you are
expecting something more, better hold off for the other awards-season
movies on the way in the coming months.
GEMINI MAN is an innovative action-thriller starring Will Smith as Henry Brogan, an elite assassin who is suddenly targeted and pursued by a mysterious young operative that seemingly can predict his every move. The film is directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Ang Lee and produced by renowned producers Jerry Bruckheimer. David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Don Granger. Also starring are Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Clive Owen, and Benedict Wong.
GEMINI MAN opens everywhere October 11th, but lucky St. Louisans will have the opportunity to see it in advance! There is a screening Tuesday October 8th at 7pm and We Are Movie Geeks has plenty of tickets to giveaway! Just leave a message below with your email address and we’ll contact you later this week. It’s so easy!
GEMINI MAN Will Smith, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Clive Owen, and Benedict Wong and is rated PG-13
The Bad Boys Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) are back together for one last ride in the highly anticipated Bad Boys for Life.
AS Will Smith said, “WOOOOSAAAHH, Y’all! Calm Down… January is right around the corner.”
The film also features Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig and Joe Pantoliano.
BAD BOYS FOR LIFE is produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and Will Smith.
Catch the brand new trailer for GEMINI MAN from Paramount Pictures along with a young Will Smith intro his older self in the future.
Gemini Man is an innovative action-thriller starring Will Smith as Henry Brogan, an elite assassin, who is suddenly targeted and pursued by a mysterious young operative that seemingly can predict his every move. The film is directed by Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Ang Lee and produced by renowned producers Jerry Bruckheimer, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger. Also starring are Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Clive Owen and Benedict Wong.
In case you missed it, check out this behind-the-scenes video.
Opens in theaters October 11.
Will Smith in Gemini Man from Paramount Pictures, Skydance and Jerry Bruckheimer Films.
Director Ang Lee and Will Smith on the set of Gemini Man from Paramount Pictures, Skydance and Jerry Bruckheimer Films.
WHO WILL SAVE YOU FROM YOURSELF?
Here’s a first look at a new behind-the-scenesfeaturette at Paramount Pictures GEMINI MAN starring Will Smith.
The brand new trailer drops on Thursday.
Gemini Man is an innovative action-thriller starring Will Smith as Henry Brogan, an elite assassin, who is suddenly targeted and pursued by a mysterious young operative that seemingly can predict his every move. The film is directed by Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Ang Lee and produced by renowned producers Jerry Bruckheimer, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger. Also starring are Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Clive Owen and Benedict Wong.
GEMINI MAN opens in theaters on October 11.
Will Smith in Gemini Man from Paramount Pictures, Skydance and Jerry Bruckheimer Films.Director Ang Lee and Will Smith on the set of Gemini Man from Paramount Pictures, Skydance and Jerry Bruckheimer Films.
Paramount Pictures has released this first look at the brand new trailer for GEMINI MAN, opening in theaters on October 11, 2019.
The highly anticipated film is an innovative action-thriller starring Will Smith as Henry Brogan, an elite assassin, who is suddenly targeted and pursued by a mysterious young operative that seemingly can predict his every move.
The film is directed by Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Ang Lee and produced by renown producers Jerry Bruckheimer, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger. Also starring are Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Clive Owen and Benedict Wong.
“This story is not one that could have been told with cinema as we know it. However, thanks to incredible new digital technology, not only can we finally see both younger and older Will Smith embodied together on screen, but we can also experience the story in a deeply immersive way. It is my great fortune to be able to experiment and test the limits of what new digital cinema has to offer us. No less so to be able to work with two Will Smiths – One beautifully sophisticated, the other exuberantly honest. In my opinion, this is Will at his very best, and when the two come together, it is something truly magical. Further, the immense effort and technical skill of the crew in creating a new aesthetic, between the cinematography, art department, visual effects, and technical team, was both inspiring and heartwarming. I truly hope that this movie delivers a completely new theatrical cinematic experience to audiences across the world.”
– Ang Lee, Director of GEMINI MAN
“The emotional and physical challenges of making this film have been the most demanding of my career. Ang is pushing the limits to give people an experience in the movie theater that you can’t get anywhere else. This is not only an action film, but an exploration of what one’s younger self can ultimately teach one’s older self. I’m 50-years-old now, and the irony of becoming 23-year-old Junior in this film is that 23-year-old me wouldn’t have been ready for this experience or to take on this role. Our hope is that this story provides something for everyone — never before seen cinematic wizardry, nuanced, relatable characters and next-level action.”
– Will Smith, Starring in GEMINI MAN
Director Ang Lee and Will Smith on the set of Gemini Man from Paramount Pictures, Skydance and Jerry Bruckheimer Films.
Here’s a look at the brand new trailer and poster for Disney’slive-action adaptation of “Aladdin,” directed by Guy Ritchie and starringWill Smith, Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott,“Aladdin” flies into theaters nationwideMay 24, 2019!
A thrilling and vibrant live-action adaptation of Disney’s animated classic, “Aladdin” is the exciting tale of the charming street rat Aladdin, the courageous and self-determined Princess Jasmine and the Genie who may be the key to their future.Directed by Guy Ritchie, who brings his singular flair for fast-paced, visceral action to the fictitious port city of Agrabah, “Aladdin” is written by John August and Ritchie based on Disney’s “Aladdin.” The film stars Will Smith as the Genie; Mena Massoud as Aladdin; Naomi Scott as Jasmine;Marwan Kenzari as Jafar; Navid Negahban as the Sultan; Nasim Pedrad as Dalia and Billy Magnussen as Prince Anders.
“Aladdin” is produced by Dan Lin, p.g.a., and Jonathan Eirich, p.g.a., with Kevin De La Noy and Marc Platt serving as executive producers. Eight-time Academy Award®-winning composer Alan Menken provides the score, which includes new recordings of the original songs written by Menken and Oscar®-winning lyricists Howard Ashman and Tim Rice and includes two new songs written by Menken and lyrics byOscar and Tony Award®-winning songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.
