2. The Bourne Supremacy - This is definitely my favorite one. I think both the first & second films are 4 star films, I just prefer this one because I really like Joan Allen's character and I think the action and fight sequences are even better (Greengrass really understood the assignment, as the kid's say). I know killing off Marie so quickly upset a lot of people, but I think it gives a solid motivation for this story to continue because otherwise Bourne would have never returned - he would just be living his life on the beach somewhere. AND Karl Urban is in this looking REAL GOOD and rocking an incredibly convincing Russian accent?! Lord have mercy! Also, I vividly remember watching the phone call scene in which he states "she's standing right next to you" and they all freeze because they realize he's watching them. It's such a good scene and they continue this throughout the rest of the franchise with the "you look tired" line. I think this one does the best job of balancing all the character moments, the action & fight scenes, along with the keeping the thrills and suspense peaked for its entirety. On a side note - this is the first time I realized that the Moby song is played during all 5 of the Bourne movies. I knew it was featured heavily within the franchise, but didn't realize it plays during the end of all of them.
3. The Bourne Ultimatum - I enjoyed this one quite a lot, but I also think it has a few flaws. While the first three films all have a runtime under 2 hours (YES!!), this one feels longer, and there are quite a few scenes that drag or are not necessary at all. Like the first scene? It can totally be cut - just start at the 6 weeks later part. And the chase scenes go on for FOREVER. Especially the whole scene featuring the journalist (played by Paddy Considine! I never realized he was in these!) at Waterloo station. The scene is actually great and SO intense, but it feels like it takes up half the movie! The plot hasn't really even started yet! And because they drag out these scenes, they seem to forget the character moments and development that made the first two films so great. It just feels like the plot is paper thin and they really stretched it out to make a film out of it. But, I do like it - the NYC scene is cool. The surveillance technology seems so dated now, but I remember being really terrified by it when this was released - it seemed so futuristic and crazy to think that anyone can be found and tracked so easily. Nicky gets more and more important with every movie (and we all know what that means!). Overall, I still think this is a great action movie and a solid end to the story (but, of course, there's more!).
4. The Bourne Legacy - So I remember thinking this was fine - I originally rated it 3 stars. And I think my original assessment is correct (a quote from my original blog post about it: "as an action movie, I would rate it above average, but as a Bourne film, I wouldn't rate it all"). There's a lot of good stuff here - but it feels pointless in the Bourne world. It takes place during the events of Ultimatum as a parallel story of the consequences of Jason Bourne's actions and how it effects other CIA black ops programs and other "super soldiers", which could be a really interesting take. But it all boils down to Jeremy Renner wanting his "Chems" (which is medicine necessary for him to function). I was shocked by the cast, because I don't remember any of these people in this - Rachel Weisz??? Edward Norton??! Oscar Isaac?! Hello?! Why don't I remember them?? LOL. Weisz has the best scenes (the mass shooting scene and the scene in her home when she's being interrogated). I was bothered that her hairstyle kept changing in between scenes (continuity!!! It's important!), but that's not her fault. It's a good idea, a great cast, and has some really intense scenes. I can't really pinpoint why it's not as good as the trilogy but it's just...not. Damon is essential. Ditto for Paul Greengrass (although with this rewatch, I remembered that he didn't actually direct the first one! It was Doug Liman, which makes sense - they have a similar frantic style for these crazy action sequences).
5. Jason Bourne - This one I didn't like on original viewing, but I've come around a bit with this rewatch. I think it's a disappointing Bourne movie, but it's not necessarily a bad movie. It's another 3 star movie. And it features one of the best car chase sequences of, not only the franchise, but of all-time, with the Las Vegas Strip chase. I remember reading about how it was done and that it was the first time that they've shut down the strip completely, but it was worth it because it's SO GOOD. Watching that SWAT vehicle just completely destroy every car in its path is absolutely glorious. I like that they did something unexpected with these huge vehicles because the cars used are usually small like a mini cooper or a motorcycle or a beat up taxi. But, otherwise, the film is a bit of a letdown. When I first saw this, it was in a theater and it was the first movie my husband and I watched together - we were PUMPED. We both love the franchise and the original three films and thought for sure that this was going to be great. And then it wasn't. I think they should have given Bourne something new to focus on. Instead, he's still just trying to figure out who he is and it feels like a rehash of everything we've already learned and the new info given is unnecessary. I don't think they needed to kill off Nicky, either, but man, Julia Styles got worse and worse with every movie. I also think Alicia Vikander is horrible in this - just no personality whatsoever! There seems to be a shocking actor in each one of these films that I have no recollection of and this one is Riz Ahmed!! This might have been the first thing I've seen him in. I love him. AND how hot is Matt Damon in this?! This was his peak hotness, I think.
Ranking:
Supremacy
Identity
Ultimatum
Jason Bourne
Legacy
No comments:
Post a Comment