Top 10 Best Trilogies: The Bourne series
Feature by Jack Foley
1) Name: The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy, The Bourne Ultimatum.
Starring: Matt Damon, Julia Stiles, Chris Cooper, Clive Owen, Joan Allen, Brian Cox, David Strathairn, Karl Urban, Franka Potente
Why so great?: When Matt Damon was first cast as the muscular spy of Robert Ludlum’s Bourne novels, heads were scratched just about everywhere. But Doug Liman (director of The Bourne Identity) took everyone by surprise with his no-nonense approach that single-handedly reinvigorated the spy genre and gave 007 a serious run for his money. When British director Paul Greengrass took over for the sequel The Bourne Supremacy he merely bolstered the franchise and delivered ever more breathless set pieces. In terms of action, the Bourne films are setting new standards in hand-to-hand combat and car chases. But it’s the lack of special effects and the brutal authenticity that really takes the breath away. What’s more, the films treat viewers like adults, containing complex plots that play to the strengths of its ensemble casts. Bourne movies quicken the pulse and engage the brain.
Key scenes: The mini chase in Paris (Identity); Bourne’s escapes from the US embassy (Identity); Bourne versus Castel (Identity); Bourne versus the Professor (Identity); Kirill takes out Marie in Goa (Supremacy); Bourne versus Jarda with magazines as weapons (Supremacy); Bourne versus Kirill in Moscow (Supremacy); Bourne outwits the CIA at Waterloo (Ultimatum); Bourne versus Desh in Morocco (Ultimatum); Bourne versus Paz in New York (car chase in Ultimatum); Bourne calls Vosen from his office (Ultimatum).
Soundbite review: “The third and purportedly final installment in the mountingly exciting series is a pounding, pulsating thriller that provides an almost constant adrenaline surge for nearly two hours.” – Variety