gelmcchristop

As not the biggest marvel fan out there, I went to watch this movie only hoping to have fun with some friends. And in that it definitely delivered. The story is lightweight and easy to follow, while the niche jokes kept giving me a good chuckle once in a while.

As for the action sequences, the best way to describe them is "cool". While they're not particularly engaging or in any way realistic, the cinematography and camera positioning are so well thought-out that you never lose interest and they maintain the quick flow of the movie.

But the area where the good production value and planning really shines is the visual effects. There are hundreds of really expensive shots here, and almost every single one of them is top-notch. The creatures in particular are incredibly photoreal yet expressive, while all the blockbustery effects and explosions never look rushed, as people have complained about previous marvel titles.

While the Gray Man may not be the most original action-agent movie of all time, it manages to combine the best traits of these films to create a cohesive and memorable story.

Its core asset is the character-centered plot. It starts off with intricate-looking global undercover stuff, but in the process all the intricacy dies down and the events are effectively a repetition of the main character's past. This method was surprisingly efficient at creating a comprehensive and tactile arc, as the past and the present unfold simultaneously.

The second strength of the writing of this movie lies in the action sequences. Not only there are a LOT of them, but they are also long and, crucially, we are clearly informed as to what each side is thinking or trying to achieve at any given point in time. Oftentimes however, the main character is just half a step ahead, which then shifts the attention from the mayhem to his actions, allowing the crucial character-building cues to be noted. And all this while the audience is enjoying a big-budgeted stunt showoff. Really cool.

Lastly, the visual interest of this movie is something truly commendable. There is a great variety of locations, weather, and lighting conditions, keeping us refreshed. Some will say, maybe we shouldn't be blowing up a historical building for the sake of a 3-second shot of the dust and the smoke settling down behind a low aperture lens? But it's just those little moments that your eyes can rest on something beautiful, that truly complete the cinematic experience.