In the shadow world of international intrigue, an operative named Six (Ryan Gosling) prepares to eliminate a target in order to make the world a better place. As part of an extremely covert unit, Six represents a vision of using criminals to do jobs that are officially unable to be done as they offer full deniability and are expendable.
In the world of “The Gray Man” which is coming to Netflix, Six learns that all may not be what it seems when his latest target turns out to be a former member of his unit and gives Six data that implicates his new boss who has made a rapid rise up the ladder and is a considerable threat.
Since Six has no identity or file, his overseers send a psychotic contractor named Lloyd (Chris Evans) to take down Six, and suspecting that Six would use his former boss Fitzroy (Billy Bob Thornton) for help, Lloyd arranges to kidnap Fitztoy’s ailing granddaughter to help coerce him to give up the location of Six.
With a huge price on his head and armies of mercenaries and operatives the world over hunting him, Six makes a bid to get to a former ally whom he believes will be able to help him unlock the data he was given and make sure it is used properly.
After a slow build, the Russo Brothers kick the film into high gear as Six becomes entangled with Agent Miranda (Ana de Armas) and must stay ahead of kill-happy Lloyd and his small army, rescue the granddaughter, and stay alive.
The film takes a bit of time to get going as it does appear to be at first a slow burn cloak and dagger film but soon flips a switch into high gear thanks to an extended and impressive action sequence in Prague with multiple factions fighting it out, elaborate chases with vehicles and light rail, and action to rival any James Bond or Fast and the Furious film.
The performances are very good and the action really builds up in the second half of the filming making for a thrilling adventure. It has been said that Netflix has already started the process for a sequel and a prequel to the film as they see a franchise in this series which is a good thing as far as I am concerned as “The Gray Man” was not only a thrilling ride but one of the more unexpected surprises of the year.
4 stars out of 5
