Customer Reviews

The Jason Bourne Collection (The Bourne Identity / The Bourne Supremacy / The Bourne Ultimatum)

5 star:		(63)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

This set is a silver box containing the individual releases of all 3 Bourne movies. The first thing I noticed was a new 2007 DVD of The Bourne Identity with the spine number 61103847. The package looks like the previous "Explosive Extended Edition," except this one's just called "Explosive Edition," and lists Feature Commentary by Doug Liman as an extra feature. I was looking forward to hearing the commentary, and when I plugged in the DVD, it wasn't there! Even though the disc itself says 2007 on it, it's exactly the same as the 2004 version. If you're not into commentaries, then this is a great set.

Seriously, don't be fooled. You get this "Super Cool" silver box and when you open it...all it is, is the 3 movies as if you bought them off the used rack shelf for $5 each. Seriously, it's a waste of time. Just buy them separately. This is so much to the point that each individually wrapped movie has tape on them where the security tag would usually go.

The movies are THE BEST...but don't be fooled by this packaging. And the bonus material is a COMPLETE let down. There is so much they could have done...instead we get a documentary of the writer. It's interesting but still, I would have loved to see more on the stunts, Damon's acting, etc.

I am a fan of serious literate movies and also a fan of action flicks (a mystery writer and also a writer of serious literary fiction as you can see from my web site http://www.levraphael,com) and the Bourne series is a canny, sometimes brilliant hybrid of genres. Yes, there's exciting, breathtaking action all the way through, but there's a great deal more. The movies start with a man who's lost his identity, and the loss goes much deeper than he realizes. He seeks both knowledge and revenge once the depth of his damage becomes clearer, and learning who he really is and what he's done, and what the cost has been to others, is a terrible but thrilling burden (for us, anyway). What the reviewer below completely missed is the subtle, touching performance by Matt Damon who does a great deal with not a lot of dialogue--though the reviewer below exaggerates about the script. Damon is remarkable. The other cast members along the way, like the wonderful Franka Potente from "Run Lola Run" and of course the inimitable Joan Allen add depth, humor, passion, darkness. At a time when government policies are so controversial, the trilogy is a powerful condemnation of victory at any cost thanks to Matt Damon's layered, sophisticated performance. Yes, there is bravura camera work that some people don't like, and utterly original long sequences that are close to astonishing, but there's also real heart to this movie, thanks to Damon, who by the way has a superb ear for languages. He listens. Watch him watch the world around him and listen to it, scanning for threats and clues--you won't be disappointed if you're open minded.

The Bourne trilogy is an action packed, no-nonsense, saga that follows the protagonist, Jason Bourne, on a whirlwind adventure across the world. Strangely, he is simultaneously fighting to find who he is and running from the secrets he unburies. These movies put you in the grit and chaos of a post-Cold War spy game that plays out in some of the most thrilling locales in the world. The characters are relentless and, unlike other spy movies, the imperative behind their actions will strike a nerve with even the most callous movie-goer. The movies are not about grand schemes to overthrow the existing regime. Rather, they are about survival, finding out who are the good guys and who are the bad guys, and if there really is a difference. The confusion and chaos of clandestine ops is clearly exaggerated, but it also never felt so good.

Matt Damon *is* Jason Bourne.

I enjoyed these movies tremendously, so I'll just address why it's missing a star.

First, in principle, the box set itself is essentially just a re-release of the existing single DVDs. The only thing you get is the nice case, plus a bonus DVD (the one in the big passport). This didn't bother me, since I never had the individual films. But for someone who already does, it's a big ask to pay for a shiny box and three featurettes.

Second, and with regard to Bourne Identity, the disc itself doesn't exactly match what's on the back of the DVD case. Specifically, the Director's commentary is missing.

FYI: less than a year after this box set came out, Universal re-released (again!) the same three movies, this time without the fancy box or bonus disc, as the "Bourne Trilogy."

Consider this trilogy a quantum leap in the treatment of the traditionally two-dimensional action genre. Flashy pyrotechnics are eschewed in favor of razor-sharp, grimly vivid fight scenes and chase sequences. The entire series is a profound success and - hopefully - will raise the bar for future filmmakers.

Each film is completely self-contained, but fans are rewarded by the story arc spanning all three movies - plot threads introduced in the first film are thoroughly resolved in the final installment, yet the series avoid pat answers. The sense of solitude, of isolation increases gradually over the course of the films, so that the protagonist's tenuous connection to humanity bends and wavers.

Any qualms about Matt Damon in the title role were dispelled immediately in the first film. He brings a gravitas to the role that has been unseen in his previous work, and renders Jason Bourne both forgivable and unforgiving. Balancing on a fine line, he resists high drama and scene-chewing in favor of a haunted, gritty determination.

The supporting cast is, to a one, superb. Franka Potente is refreshingly unpolished and unpackaged; a rarity lately. Chris Cooper is excellent in a role that could easily have been cardboard villainy, and he's followed by fantastic character actors Brian Cox (in The Bourne Supremacy and David Strathairn (in The Bourne Ultimatum). Pamela Landy, played by Joan Allen, is a complex adversary for Bourne as he avenges past wrongs and attempts to unravel his past.

It's difficult to recommend this series highly enough - the combined, fully committed efforts of all those involved have created a set of films that's unique and flawlessly executed.

All three of these films are amazing. Fans of Matt Damon must buy this DVD. The only other recommendation is also to buy the books which are even greater that the movies

This was my first purchase from Amazon.com, and I was very happy with how quickly I received my order using the free shipping option.

I highly recommend this trilogy, each DVD has it's own special features and deleted scenes, and the collection includes a fourth cd with additional bonus material.

The box could've been better, but I am very happy with my purchase.

Overall I'm happy with my purchase. I told myself as soon as they released the Bourne box set I was going to buy it...and preorder it I did. It would have been nice if the bonus CD was more robust but still, the movies are awesome, the collector box is cool and I have what I believe to be one of the best, most consistent film trilogies available, in my collection.

We were so pleased with the price of this item that we couldn't resist purchasing it for ourselves during the holiday season. Not only are the movies entertaining, but the product was nicely packaged. Each film comes in it's individual case, all packaged in one Trilogy case with a sleek guide and magnetic closure. After watching all three movies in sequence, I was left asking a few questions, and the "Explosive" additional scenes of The Bourne Identity were anything but. Regardless, I would highly recommend adding this collection to your home!