I would have given this movie 10 out of 10 if it was not for the shaky camera. It came close to being unwatchable on some occasions.
Why such big budget movies are employing cameramen who are high on coffee and doughnuts are beyond me. The jittery camera is just awful. It takes the focus away from the story, and from the action. The idea that home-made footage gives intimacy or authenticity is far from true. I have many footages from my phone that me and my kids have shot. They all mean a lot to me but they are, honestly, totally unwatchable. Even to me! So when I pay my money to watch a Jason Bourne movie, I expect not to be given a headache in return. Each instalment appears to get worse in this regard. Please can someone in the production team for the next Jason Bourne film hire some gimball, or whatever stabilisation equipment?
Now that the rant is over, I actually felt that the story was carried forward quite well. It is an expected storyline but done well. I enjoyed the part played by all the actors. Despite some other reviewers, I quite like the complex genius portrayed by Vikander. She lends herself to the role well.
The stunt scenes are not a cliché like many other films. It stays true to Jason Bourne style. Very much so. The stunt scenes are gritty and yet spectacular and memorable. It is quite remarkable that Jason Bourne series have even managed to create a 'style' that is easily recognisable as the Jason Bourne 'brand'. Even other big brand movies like James Bond, have struggled to create a unique, recognisable style to their stunts. Less camera shake would have rendered some parts sublime and supremely entertaining. It is possible that the director thought this camera shake is part of the brand. I would disagree. There is an immensely identifiable style that is very 'Jason Bourne' without all the jittery shaking.
I love the colour tonality, the intimate feel of scenes, the pace and quickness, the expectation of movement each shot appears to carry, the view or the angle the camera takes, etc. etc. ...well too many to list. Then the sound, both the background, and the music.
The film gently touches a critical current political issues. Very lightly. This is nice. It is not bogged down by anything. It does not offer solutions, just shows it as a clever and purposeful backdrop to the story of this instalment.
So I recommend this film with a caveat that if the shaky camera gives you a headache, make sure that the cinema offers you a free aspirin on the house. Thanks for reading.
Why such big budget movies are employing cameramen who are high on coffee and doughnuts are beyond me. The jittery camera is just awful. It takes the focus away from the story, and from the action. The idea that home-made footage gives intimacy or authenticity is far from true. I have many footages from my phone that me and my kids have shot. They all mean a lot to me but they are, honestly, totally unwatchable. Even to me! So when I pay my money to watch a Jason Bourne movie, I expect not to be given a headache in return. Each instalment appears to get worse in this regard. Please can someone in the production team for the next Jason Bourne film hire some gimball, or whatever stabilisation equipment?
Now that the rant is over, I actually felt that the story was carried forward quite well. It is an expected storyline but done well. I enjoyed the part played by all the actors. Despite some other reviewers, I quite like the complex genius portrayed by Vikander. She lends herself to the role well.
The stunt scenes are not a cliché like many other films. It stays true to Jason Bourne style. Very much so. The stunt scenes are gritty and yet spectacular and memorable. It is quite remarkable that Jason Bourne series have even managed to create a 'style' that is easily recognisable as the Jason Bourne 'brand'. Even other big brand movies like James Bond, have struggled to create a unique, recognisable style to their stunts. Less camera shake would have rendered some parts sublime and supremely entertaining. It is possible that the director thought this camera shake is part of the brand. I would disagree. There is an immensely identifiable style that is very 'Jason Bourne' without all the jittery shaking.
I love the colour tonality, the intimate feel of scenes, the pace and quickness, the expectation of movement each shot appears to carry, the view or the angle the camera takes, etc. etc. ...well too many to list. Then the sound, both the background, and the music.
The film gently touches a critical current political issues. Very lightly. This is nice. It is not bogged down by anything. It does not offer solutions, just shows it as a clever and purposeful backdrop to the story of this instalment.
So I recommend this film with a caveat that if the shaky camera gives you a headache, make sure that the cinema offers you a free aspirin on the house. Thanks for reading.