Disclaimer: I watched the accompanying "Project Greenlight" first, so I knew there were issues with the script going into this but they did create more drama in the show to make the film seem worse than it is. Meko, you did need those extra shoots/angles girl...that's Film School 101 but PGL did lack true training/mentoring for a beginner (if it weren't for Gina and CatchLight I don't think this film would have made it). It's not bad for a first feature. The best movie PGL has ever released.
Now for my take.
It felt like a CW Pilot and not a film even per streaming standards. The pacing in the beginning was slow and could have been fixed with editing to help with the elements of surprise that follow later. This is a good lesson in a script needs to be solid before starting production. The story flow got better in the second act but then it all fell apart in the third. I give a 90% on technical because of the editing issue and VFX but it was shot, lit, and color corrected perfectly. Maybe to perfectly?! I saw all the Spielberg, Ridley Scott, etc. Tricks but enjoyed them none the less.
The actors were top notch and that along great production design and cinematography helped make it watchable.
Even with a killer script, I think 'Gray Matter' would have been better as a series and not a film. I don't feel it would have held up to 'Limitless' (which was first a book and later made as a series). This would have allowed for more character building. I think it's hard to make a genre piece like this and have true substance for just 90 minutes. However, the timeline for pre-production and principal was unrealistically condensed and I feel shows in the film execution as well.
So overall, the script, pacing (editing), budget, and the ridiculous timeline (I don't know how they got away with this) makes for a pretty good start on a TV series but doesn't hold up as a film.
I suggest give it a watch anyway just to see some good technical shooting and acting.
Now for my take.
It felt like a CW Pilot and not a film even per streaming standards. The pacing in the beginning was slow and could have been fixed with editing to help with the elements of surprise that follow later. This is a good lesson in a script needs to be solid before starting production. The story flow got better in the second act but then it all fell apart in the third. I give a 90% on technical because of the editing issue and VFX but it was shot, lit, and color corrected perfectly. Maybe to perfectly?! I saw all the Spielberg, Ridley Scott, etc. Tricks but enjoyed them none the less.
The actors were top notch and that along great production design and cinematography helped make it watchable.
Even with a killer script, I think 'Gray Matter' would have been better as a series and not a film. I don't feel it would have held up to 'Limitless' (which was first a book and later made as a series). This would have allowed for more character building. I think it's hard to make a genre piece like this and have true substance for just 90 minutes. However, the timeline for pre-production and principal was unrealistically condensed and I feel shows in the film execution as well.
So overall, the script, pacing (editing), budget, and the ridiculous timeline (I don't know how they got away with this) makes for a pretty good start on a TV series but doesn't hold up as a film.
I suggest give it a watch anyway just to see some good technical shooting and acting.