Bourne and random shit

So I got bored a few days ago and decided to torrent some movies. For those of you that aren't piratically inclined, it means I stole them off the internet. Well in any event I got a whole slew of things to watch, play, and mess around with including the new Bourne movie, The Bourne Ultimatum. Which I hadn't seen since it was in theaters. Now for those of you that don't know about this movie, it's essentially a spy thriller like James Bond, except way more gritty, morally ambiguous and it deals with the CIA (not MI6).

Now as I watched this movie for the second time, a thought struck me. Essentially the movie is three giant chase scenes. That's it. And despite that bare bones bones technique, I found that it added to the story as a whole. Bourne doesn't really need the character interaction of Casino Royale, he needs cops to run from and secrets to chase down. It makes for a great and satisfying experience.

So anyway as I read the above paragraphs I realize they're pretty much an incoherent mess. Which is ok, I'm not going to delete them or anything, but I feel I could explain myself a tad better and go onto some other related topics that have been kicking around the old brain-box.

Bourne: a review ( kinda)

As you can probably figure out, I liked this movie. So in the interest of explaining why I liked it so much, I'm going to do a sort of review here. Spoilers will probably ensue, but I'll try to keep myself restricted to themes and technique here.

So (obviously) this is the next chapter in the story of the CIA assassin who lost his memory, and is trying simultaneously to rediscover his past and avoid the CIA (which as usual is trying to put a bullet in his skull). Hijinks ensue and eventually a conclusion a reached (see? no spoilers). So onto themes and shit that I noticed and enjoyed.

As I said above, the movie can essentially be divided into three separate chapters. Each chapter consisting of a high tension chase/escape/fight of a sorts. Now each of these scenes is engaging, entertaining and in general a joy to watch. But why?

Music for one. The music is an orchestral soundtrack that mixes modern beat mix stuff and violins and other styles. Unless you're really listening for it, you'll completely miss it. Which to be honest is exactly the point, because the music is there for basically one reason; to increase the tension.

And it does a wonderful job of this, as Bourne runs through the streets of various cities, dodging police, CIA assassins and those damn innocent pedestrians. The music builds and builds, faster and faster, until you're right on the edge of your seat... and then it resets. It's wonderful, the music keeps you right in the emotional zone to appreciate the chase. (spoiler warning) For example, the second chase takes place in Tangier. As Bourne books it through the alleys and runs across the rooftops, the music keeps pace and keeps you right there with him. Until it cuts off as he jumps through a window and has a great fight scene with one of those CIA assassins. It really strikes you if you're watching for it, because instead of some epic finale that the music had been obviously building towards, it just ends. A climatic anti-climatic ending would be the best way to put it. (end spoiler)

Editing and Cinematography

Another thing I noticed was the camera work. While its not exactly on par with Children of Men (god that continuous scene was amazing), its accomplishes exactly what it sets out to do. Which namely, is to keep the tension at high level. As you probably surmised, this is the same point as the music, so the two are very much so tied together in terms of cuts and transitions. So what exactly drew my eye?

Two things specifically, the choice of shots, and the editing cuts. Now I could dig up my film class book and notes and tell you exactly what kind of shots they used, but I'm lazy and I'm not going to; so please excuse my clumsy terminology.

Now a basic way to build tension through editing (that's been around since Birth of a Nation no less) is to start with long shots and gradually move the camera in closer and closer, while at the same time shortening the length of each shot. It's simple and it works. However, doing only that is boring, pedestrian, and its been done a thousand times over the history of film. Essentially, Bourne does do this, but it does it in its own unique way.

It does it through non-conventional camera views (at least in my opinion). You'll see a lot of shots that are jerky, moving, and basically, but you right there in the middle of the action. It's a kinetic thing I think, if the camera is bouncing around like a hyper-active two year old, it gives a sense of movement to the audience. Thankfully though, due to the rapid cuts between shots, you don't feel like you can't follow the action, or that the shaky cam is an excuse for scenes that would otherwise look like shit (Braveheart, I'm looking right at you). The specific balance/counterpoint to these kind of shots is the long security camish shots. So while you have the shots that make you feel like your right there, you also have these long view shots (usually accompanied by a zoom-in or some sort of in picture framing so you can pick out the characters from the rabble of extras), that allow you to follow the action. This is the important part, through the rapid cuts between these two basic styles of shot you gain two things. A sense of tension and involvement, and an understanding of what exactly is going on. Add in the music and in the great choreography of the fight scenes and chases in general, and its no-holds barred thrill ride that grabs you from beginning to end.

That's why I liked the new Bourne.

Random Stuff

Now for those of you that aren't nerds, a game recently came out called Assassin's Creed. (It''ll tie in I swear) Now I'm too lazy to go to wikipedia and look up the specifics, so I could be wrong, but I bet I'm not. In any event, I'm almost positive it was made by ubisoft, the makers of the Prince of Persia trilogy (Incidentally, the Prince of Persia movie is going to be made by Jerry Bruckheimer, five dollars says it blows harder than a starving hooker) The game involves running around the rooftops of crusades era Jerusalem, doing crazy parkour stunts, and assassinating bad guys. It's a fun time.

So to tie in with Bourne, I want a game like Assassin's Creed that lets me play as a Bourne-like character. It'd be sweet as hell in my opinion. Run around Europe, engage in sweet car chases, fun martial arts and gun combat, blend into crowds and run from those damn government assassins.

Now from what I hear (this time I'm probably dead wrong) the next game in the splinter cell series might be a little like this. Which (if it happens) would be sweet and might get me into the series. But I doubt anyone will make a Bourne-style game anytime in the near future.

Well I seem to have written quite a bit, and I've run out of things to say. So peace out people, I'm going to get a cigarette and some sleep. (like I actually have any readers to say goodbye to, sheesh, talk about hubris)