The MAX POWER System
All right fellow primates, I’m Max Power, a new contributing writer for Arabian Monkey. I’m somewhat of a movie buff, so I’ll be saving you from watching the next “Gigli.” You’re welcome. Each week I’ll bring you my latest picks and reviews that will, with any luck, guide you too an easier movie watching experience. These reviews will include movies currently in theatres, on the shelf at your local rental stores, and some random movies from the past or what I like to call “movies from the vault.” So whether you’re looking for a movie to take in at the theatre, or a cheaper alternative at a rental store, you’ll be set.
Now for the important part, how the movies will be rated. Thumbs and stars have been overdone, so here on Arabian Monkey I’ll bring you a scale using bananas (what did you expect?) Here’s a breakdown of the rating system:
- 0 bananas- This is a classification only allotted for the worst possible movies. Do not under any circumstances waste your time or money on any movies with this rating.
- 1 banana- Poor. This movie isn’t worth watching unless it’s 1 a.m. and you can’t sleep…and even then, sleeping pills may be a better option (then again this movie may bring about the same effects).
- 2 bananas- This movie has it’s spots, but nothing spectacular. Average.
- 3 bananas- Take some time out of your day and grab a bucket of popcorn. This is a quality flick for you and some friends to enjoy.
- 4 bananas- A must-see movie. Drop what you’re doing and clear your schedule, you have a movie to watch.
Some movies just can’t be defined on this scale, so you’ll find at times that I’ll give a movie a half banana when it fits in between two parts of the scale.
And without further ado, my first set of movie reviews- The Bourne Trilogy!
Here it is, the moment you’ve been waiting for my first movie review on Arabian Monkey. For those of you who haven’t been paying attention this column will have a unique style of its own. Rather then just taking a look at just movies in theatres I’ll also be highlighting new releases, as well as, movies “from the vault.” Since this column also coincides with the release of the final piece of the Bourne trilogy, you can read here a review for each movie in the series…
New in Theatres: “The Bourne Ultimatum” Runtime: 1h51m Rating: PG-13
Genre: Action/Adventure
The newest movie in the Bourne series is without a doubt a success that out does the original. Unlike most trilogies, this movie stays true to it’s roots, and it pays dividends to the viewers. The Bourne Ultimatum continues on a chronological time table, avoiding problems many sequels usually come across. Unlike some sequels that jump several years ahead, or wait too long from the original to form a sequel, this movie picks up right where it left off, literally. In fact this movie fills you in on some details you missed in the last movie.
In a final attempt to tie up any loose ends to a CIA operation that went terribly wrong, several higher ups try to kill off Jason Bourne, once and for all. Bourne is no longer off the map, in fact, he’s constantly being chased. In previous movies Bourne is able to elude the CIA with relative ease. Now, Bourne is so close to the answers he’s chased for so long that he is constantly crossing paths with those who want him dead. This leads to several lengthy chase scenes, and some closer calls then ever before. Because of this, this movie becomes more about action and suspense than it’s predecessors.
While the other movies tend to branch out into other genres, this movie, presumably the last in the series, is jam packed with nearly an hour of fights, chases, and Bourne’s nearly superhuman ability to elude federal agents. In fact, the movie tends to flow better because it takes less time to delve into other plotlines. This movie also takes advantage of a larger returning cast then the previous movie, so little introduction or explanation is needed. Because of this it pays to have watched the first two movies. If you haven’t seen the Bourne Identity and the Bourne Supremecy, I highly recommend you take the time to rent them and watch them before you attempt to follow this movie. Without the background knowledge, you may as well throw away the cash you’re paying to see this movie.
As previously noted the bulk of the most important cast members return from the previous movie. Matt Damon returns as Jason Bourne, while Joann Allen (as Pamela Landy) and Julia Stiles (as Nicky Parsons) return with larger roles. The only new face with a major role comes via David Strathan as Noah Vosen, an overzealous CIA agent who’s out to kill Bourne. Unlike the other films in which Damon carried the cast, this movie tends to get help from the supporting cast members. Joann Allen and Julia Stiles both turn in better performances then in The Bourne Supremacy, and Matt Damon turns in another noteworthy performance as Bourne, although not his best of the series.
Overall this is another good film in the Bourne series, although it never achieves the status of the first film. My lone problem with this film is that Bourne seems to take on a more superhuman role then ever before. Bourne should die at least 2, maybe 3 times, in this movie by my count. This film does however offer a logical ending point for the series. It ties up most loose ends and gives you an idea of where each character ends up, while still leaving some questions to be answered by the viewer. I can’t say this was the best movie in the series, but it was darn close to the first movie.
Rating: 3 1/2 bananas
On the Rack: “The Bourne Supremacy” Runtime: 1h49m Rating: PG-13
Genre: Action/Adventure
It’s a sequel, and as most sequels this movie tries hard to recreate the magic of the first movie. It does… or at least it comes close. Matt Damon returns as Jason Bourne in this action/thriller. He has successfully fallen off the map of the CIA, but it doesn’t take long until he realizes he’s being followed and that someone is trying to kill him, again. As he explains it, “I got too lazy,” and just like that, Bourne is on the run again. And while he seemed to be okay with lying low, all that changes when an assassin kills his girlfriend from the first movie Marie Kreutz.
This movie ventures further into the action realm than the first movie. By killing off Bourne’s love interest, this second film relies more on Bourne’s sleuthing skills and his mental flashbacks to his life as a CIA expert assassin. Although this movie becomes more about action, it is like the first movie in that this movie is not just purely action. The movie becomes as much about suspense as it does action. Sure Jason is once again finding himself in amazing car chases, shoot outs, and the occasional 10 block sprints, but you’ll find yourself at the edge of your seat right along with him trying to uncover his past and determine why so many people want him dead.
Acting in this film is once again given a high grade, although I can’t say it’s at a level with the first movie. Matt Damon returns as the star of this film, and probably gives his best performance yet, given that he has no co-star to speak of. Unlike the first movie where he had Franka Potente to speak with, in this movie Damon does a lot of solo acting. Personally, I give him two thumbs up for being the motor behind this movie, even without a wealth of interaction with the rest of the cast. He and the director use a great mix of flashbacks, close-ups, and mannerisms to pull off what seems like an impossible task: conveying emotion as an amnesia ridden action hero with no memory.
This movie struggles to find a secondary star. Julia Stiles and Brian Cox both turn in average performances, though neither match Chris Cooper’s performance in the first movie (few could). Joann Allen gets an above average grade for her first spin on the Bourne train. She nails her performance as a CIA agent assigned a case that eventually drags her into the Jason Bourne hunt, but no one in this movie ever has enough lines or interaction with Bourne to ever be a secondary star in this film.
Overall this movie is a good watch. I struggle to say it matches the first movie's cinematic success, but it sure does come close. I found a few problems that bothers me. First, I missed Franka Potente in this movie. She was great in the first installment, although I commend the film-makers for making the tough decision to kill her character off. A major sticking point for me were the obvious rip-offs from the first movies. If you don’t catch them the first time, try watching the movies one after another. You’ll see where some scenes seem to be ripped right from the first movie.
Rating: 3 bananas
From the Vault: “The Bourne Identity” Runtime: 1h59 Rating: PG-13
Genre: Action/Adventure
The fact that this movie has turned into a trilogy tells you everything you need to know. Anyone who enjoys an action movie will find this movie entertaining to say the least. This action/thriller takes you along the ride of an expert CIA assassin, Jason Bourne, who has no memory of his violent past. While attempting to uncover his own past and discover who he is Bourne becomes the target of similar CIA assassins controlled by an overzealous CIA agent trying to cover his own tracks. Along the way Bourne finds out that while he has no memory, of who he is, or what his work once entailed him to do, he is still equipped with the abilities he had been trained to do.
But this movie isn’t all action, the storyline is climactic and the writing is impeccable. There’s even a love story brewing between Bourne and Marie Kreutz, a random European women he teams up with along the way. This movie is in fact one of the most well-rounded movies I’ve seen in recent times. It attempts to mix in action for the men and a love story for the women, all while keeping you visually interest through fight scenes, car chases, and interesting camera angles. The movie even uses quick shots and shaky cameras to make you feel like you’re inside the fight scenes, something many action movies are trying (few succeed like this movie).
As for the acting in this movie I give A’s across the board. Matt Damon has proven himself over the last few years to be one of his generation’s greatest actors, an actor that can plug himself into any role and excel. From an arrogant school boy in School Ties, to a brilliant minded teen brought up in a rough neighborhood in Good Will Hunting, to his role in this movie, Damon has already built an impressive resume over the years. That being said, Jason Bourne may just be his best role to date.
The supporting cast does a wonderful job in this movie as well. A standout performance is given by Chris Cooper (Breach) as a CIA agent that is trying to eliminate Bourne to save his own career. Franka Potente plays Bourne’s love interest, as a gypsy-like European woman with no real roots in the society around her. She leaves something to be desired physically, as she isn’t the most attractive co-star in recent memory but you appreciate the realism for her role. After all, aren’t you tired of seeing fake breasted women in co-starring roles that just happen to find themselves into g-strings every 10 minutes…me neither. But the director made a wise choice, nonetheless, as Potente plays a great accomplice. You can literally see the two fall in love on camera, a quality you don’t tend to see in an action movie. Rounding out the cast with smaller roles are the likes of Clive Owens and Julia Stiles.
Overall this movie has everything it takes. I must say I’m a fan, if you haven’t seen this movie yet, look it up on television or at a movie store. And if you don’t have time take a swing around your local rental place, I’m sure you can find this movie for a buck or two seeing as it’s been out for nearly 5 years now.
Rating: 4 bananas
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