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matt header
Studio Exec
Joined: 26 Jun 2003
Posts: 623
Location: Milwaukee, WI
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 Posted: 07.07.2003 7:23 am Post subject: Paul Greengrass and "The Bourne Supremacy" |
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I read today that Paul Greengrass has signed on to direct the sequel to 2002's "The Bourne Identity," which is to be called "The Bourne Supremacy." I am suddenly very eager to see the sequel, since it seems a unique match - Greengrass directed "Bloody Sunday," the realistic and shattering treatise on peaceful political defiance. It will be interesting to see what Greengrass brings to the spy genre, considering I was a bit disappointed by "The Bourne Identity" (I had fun watching it, surely, but I can't say I now remember anything about it). But considering our only options for movie spies recently has been XXX or a new, immature, and suddenly lackluster "Die Another Day"-era James Bond, Jason Bourne should hopefully be an exciting change of pace.
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beltmann
Studio Exec
Joined: 26 Jun 2003
Posts: 2341
Location: West Bend, WI
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| Posted: 07.28.2004 12:41 am Post subject: |
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I too was disappointed in The Bourne Identity, and I too was pleasantly surprised to learn that Paul Greengrass had been hired to direct the sequel. I think Bloody Sunday is close to a masterpiece, primarily for its handheld visuals that feels immediate but never random: The editing ingeniously punctuates the choreography and gives every moment an emotional--and political--intensity. Having finally seen The Bourne Supremacy, I'm pleased to report that Greengrass imported that same visual method, elevating a fairly standard thriller into something truly exciting. As a sequel, I don't think Bourne Supremacy has a better story--it lacks the compulsive "who-am-I" narrative engine of Identity--but it does have better acting, better emotion, and a far better sense of visual decorum.
Eric
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HoRRoRFaN
Cinematographer
Joined: 06 Jul 2004
Posts: 128
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| Posted: 07.28.2004 1:15 am Post subject: |
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Eric, after reading your comments, I am willing to give THE BOURNE SURPREMACY a shot. I thought BLOODY SUNDAY was a great film.
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"A film is - or should be - more like music than like fiction. It should be a progression of moods and feelings. The theme, what's behind the emotion, the meaning, all that comes later." -Stanley Kubrick |
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Danny Baldwin
Studio Exec
Joined: 26 Jun 2003
Posts: 1354
Location: San Diego, CA
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| Posted: 07.28.2004 5:54 am Post subject: |
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I just saw it, and despite the fact that I like it less than the original film, I do admire much of the newer work. Out of laziness, hI'll just paste
| My Review wrote: | In my review of The Bourne Identity, I was clearly enthusiastic about the subject. In fact, the exclamation point to period ratio in it was nearly one to four. The 2002 film, directed by Doug Liman, was an international success, and developed quite a following. It grossed several hundred million dollars internationally, boasting sleek action scenes and a captivating story. It was only substantial that a sequel be made, and the fact that source-writer Robert Ludlum had already written one was a mere plus. Once again, I found myself immensely enjoying the adventures of the protagonist, Jason Bourne, but as a whole, The Bourne Supremacy is slightly lesser of a film than its predecessor. As slick as director Paul Greengrass? style is, his product isn?t nearly as engaging, at times, as Liman?s was.
The Bourne Supremacy opens to Bourne (Matt Damon) and his love interest from the previous film, Marie (Franka Potente), who have settled in India, together. Shortly thereafter, they are trailed by men who are familiar to Bourne, when driving, and forced to accelerate off of a bridge and into the surrounding water. Seconds before their plunge, Marie is hit by a bullet that was intended for Bourne, and dies. He must go on the run yet again, as the CIA closely tails him. Wondering what he has done to deserve this, Bourne finds that he has been framed for the murder of an agent and his wife. The Bourne Supremacy serves as both an account of its title character?s attempt to recover his true identity, as he did in the first movie, and to take revenge on those who have put him in such a questionable position. Surprises are, undeniably, in store.
In this outing, the best part of the picture is not the sly action sequences, but Greengrass? study of Bourne?s psyche. He has a bit of an internal battle regarding exactly how exactly he should handle himself in his tough position. His rather limited knowledge of himself is rather prevalent in his decisions, also. There is a particularly terrific scene at the very end of The Bourne Supremacy, in which he talks to the daughter of the couple he supposedly murdered. While I won?t, by any means, spoil it, I must say that it makes a bold statement about how sympathy and the ability to identify with someone?s situation impact an individual?s personal burdens. The one trait that The Bourne Supremacy possess that its predecessor neglected to embrace is psychology. I was astounded at how deep this movie was able to be, within the confines of its rather simplistic plot
Matt Damon is pitch-perfect once again, in the multi-dimensional role of Jason Bourne. Here, he concentrates more on facial gestures and inner-fury than simple Bond-like coolness, creating a more subtle character-explosion. The tone of his voice and his eyes? movements are always done with the utmost level of thought, especially in a scene where he talks to the lead CIA agent on his case, named Pamela Landy (Joan Allen), as he points a gun at her, from the building parallel to the one that she?s standing in. Bourne?s point of view is shown through both his mind, which is often worn on his sleeve, and the viewer in the gun. One is that of a chaotic man, searching for answers, crucial to discovering who he really is. The other represents the straight, evil, and violent one-dimensional side of him. Damon, in a tight bond with Greengrass? vision, displays this superbly. Even one of his co-stars, Julia Stiles, who was downright awful in the previous entry in the series, improves here, despite the limited screen-time she has.
It is when The Bourne Supremacy tries to satisfy the interests of its younger viewers that is fails. The final action sketch, in which Bourne simultaneously swerves a stolen taxicab throughout traffic, to escape from his enemies, and removes a bullet from his chest and cleans the wound with Russian Vodka, is especially pointless. This does not allow the picture?s plot to evolve, in the least. I can see the point of continuing Liman?s fondness for car chases, but I think that Greengrass should?ve definitely shortened this particular flurry. His ability to combine the old tricks with his techniques needed refining, albeit somewhat acceptable.
I see that Ludlum has written a third novel in his series, entitled The Bourne Ultimatum, and given the success of this second film-installment, the franchise is sure to become a trilogy, in Hollywood. Being a fan of the flicks, I, personally, cannot wait for the next one. If Greengrass is to direct again, it will certainly be a treat, as the style he has introduced here will be able to evolve. The Bourne Supremacy is a rarity; it joins Spider-Man 2 as one of the few pure summer-blockbusters, currently in release. If all box-office successes, from now on, could be as good as this one, the world would be much better off. |
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Danny Baldwin
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The Short Bus
Key Grip
Joined: 23 Mar 2004
Posts: 36
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| Posted: 07.30.2004 7:25 am Post subject: |
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| beltmann wrote: | ......................................................I too was disappointed in The Bourne Identity, and I too was pleasantly surprised to learn that Paul Greengrass had been hired to direct the sequel. I think Bloody Sunday...
handheld visuals... random: The editing ingeniously punctuates the choreography and gives every moment an emotional--and political--intensity. Having finally seen The Bourne Supremacy, I'm pleased to report that Greengrass imported that same visual method, elevating a fairly standard thriller into something truly exciting. As a sequel, I don't think Bourne Supremacy has a better story--it lacks the compulsive "who-am-I" narrative engine of Identity--but it does have better acting, better emotion, and a far better sense of visual decorum. |
I remember Beltmann quietly dropping hints of his homophobic agenda in class, but I believe this post makes it as clear as day where Beltmann stands on homosexuality.
I, for one, am appalled. |
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Danny Baldwin
Studio Exec
Joined: 26 Jun 2003
Posts: 1354
Location: San Diego, CA
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| Posted: 07.31.2004 10:44 pm Post subject: |
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I shouldn't laugh at that, but I did.
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Danny Baldwin
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HoRRoRFaN
Cinematographer
Joined: 06 Jul 2004
Posts: 128
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| Posted: 07.31.2004 11:02 pm Post subject: |
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When I saw that, I was like WTF? 
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"A film is - or should be - more like music than like fiction. It should be a progression of moods and feelings. The theme, what's behind the emotion, the meaning, all that comes later." -Stanley Kubrick |
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frostiang
Grip
Joined: 25 Aug 2004
Posts: 11
Location: Salem, OR
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| Posted: 08.25.2004 3:54 am Post subject: |
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| I liked the first movie but have not seen this one. I have not seen Bloody Sunday either, but I think I read a very good review of it one time. I don't think Doug Liman needed to be replaced but I definitely look forward to seeing what a new director can bring to the series. |
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