I had the thought, as many people did somewhere amid one of the kinetic chase/fight sequences. But it was Christine who articulated it as we stepped from the theater: "That was almost like The Blair Witch."She was referring to the so-fast-they're-blurry sequences that link together to make up The Bourne Ultimatum's story. Fast and furious has never applied more. Sometimes even sound cues are the only way to keep track of what's going on.
I'm not complaining, just dazzled by what I think is an expansion of the style Peter Greengrass began in The Bourne Supremacy and continued in the grim United 93.
His stories don't unfold on screen. They happen. Relentlessly.
Plot exposition is sprinkled in between set pieces.
Certainly most of the story from the Robert Ludlum series on which the Bourne films are based was jettisoned long ago, but the pace is what's carried over from the page.
In Ludlum, cars jumping curbs and other almost nonstop action is prevalent.
That page-turning quality becomes the high-energy visuals on screen.
It takes action and screen storytelling to a new place.
Check it out on the big screen if you get a chance.
Bourne Ultimatum official site
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5 comments:
Call it a dazzling expansion of style if you want. Just bring some Dramamine. :)
I really enjoyed the first two Bourne movies so will certainly see this one. I thought the fight scenes were some of the most realistic I've seen on the screen.
Hi Christine.
I think you've pretty much hit the nail on the head.
It can be a little dizzying, but I think overall it's just visually incredible to watch.
Or rather "It's visually incredible."
I think I overcomplicated that sentence the first go round, haha.
Haven't seen the first two Bourne's -- may have to add them to my list next week!
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