Dhanush's Cameo Is The Only Saving Grace In Ryan Gosling-Chris Evans 'The Gray Man'

Despite the recent buzz surrounding the action thriller "The Gray Man" by the legendary filmmakers Russo Brothers. It failed to make an impression on Western critics, who were underwhelmed by its theatrical release.

The film is based on the same-named book by Mark Greaney. Dhanush, Chris Evans and Ryan Gosling will play major roles in the film The Gray Man. Ana de Armas, Rege-Jean Page, Jessica Henwick, Billy Bob Thornton, and Wagner Moura also star.

The idea of pitting two actors, such as Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans, against each other is one of the most intriguing aspects of the film. The character of Evans, in the film, has received a lot of attention. Also, the critics have been loving the cameo of Dhanush in the film.

The Gray Man

The Gray Man Plot

The novel on which the film is based gives the audience a hint about the plot of the film. Court Gentry, alias Sierra Six, is a former CIA agent. With the agency backing him up, SIX would be the world's best assassin. Six, on the other hand, uncovers some dirty secrets within the CIA and finds himself fleeing Lloyd Hansen, a former CIA officer who is now working for a shady organisation. However, we are unsure whether the film will be entirely based on the novel or if there will be twists and turns in this action thriller.

The Gray Man

And with the release of the film in US theatres, many critics have been forthright in their response. Let's see what they had to say about the film and then decide whether it was a success or a flop.

Western Film Critic's Verdict

TIME Magazine's Stephanie Zecharek's verdict, "A picture that tries desperately to be an over-the-top 'Mission: Impossible' adventure only to end up in a no-man's land of inconsequence.¡±

CNN.com's Brian Lowry comments,¡± The spy-versus-spy shenanigans play like an excuse for the elaborate action sequences and insane stunt work, which produce a few genuine highlights but also yield gradually diminishing returns, especially down the home stretch."

Entertainment Weekly's Leah Greenblatt gave the film a 'B¡¯ and said "It's red-meat candy, a 'Bourne Identity for brains thoroughly trained in over-stimulation, and already long gone on summer holiday.¡±

According to Barry Hertz of the 'Globe and Mail, the film Gray man is a thriller made by people who know what great thrillers can do but without the ability to make one themselves.

The Daily Telegraph¡¯s Robbie Collins gives it a 2.5, saying, "Around halfway through a sustained shootout in Prague, the sheer thundering mindlessness of the whole enterprise becomes impossible to ignore."

The Gray Man

'New Statesman' columnist David Sexton is equally dismissive. He states, ¡°The experience of watching it is to be aware at every moment that what you are facing is a carefully calculated, wholly corporate product, entirely predictable and devoid of any authorship or originality."

Lastly, David Fear of 'Rolling Stone' says wants to remind you of what an old-school dopamine dump these types of entertainments are, and it has what seems to be the necessary ingredients to do it. Which, to be honest, only makes you wish this was tighter, tauter, tougher, better."

The streaming giant has lost this many viewers for the first time in years, after losing 200,000 subscribers in the first quarter. To increase subscribers, Netflix has decided to focus on larger films. But would "The Gray Man" be their way out? The film received a mixed response from critics and audiences.

Only now, with the release of The Gray Man on Netflix, will we be able to decide whether we like it or not. However, the majority of people are excited because of the star cast. The Indian audience is excited to see Dhanush, the film's desi takda, in Russo Brothers' film.

(With Inputs From IANS)

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