The Bourne Trilogy Blu-ray

The Bourne Trilogy

 (2002-2007)

The Bourne Trilogy Blu-ray delivers stunning video and reference-quality audio in this exceptional Blu-ray release
The Bourne Identity:
After being pulled from the sea with two bullets in his back, Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) awakens on a fishing boat with no memory of his involvement in a top- secret, black ops arm of the CIA called Treadstone. The only clue to his identity is the number of a Swiss bank account in which he discovers an array of passports and weapons, as well as a fortune in cash. As he struggles to regain his memory, his former employers dub him a rogue agent and target him for termination. When an equally deadly assassin codenamed "Professor" (Clive Owen) is sent to dispose of him, Bourne rediscovers his extraordinary survival skills, including hand-to-hand combat, martial arts and multiple languages, and begins to understand who he really is. As he struggles to unlock the secret of his own identity, Bourne has to deal with his past in order to ensure his own future.

The Bourne Supremacy:
When his lover is murdered and he is framed for the assassination of a fellow agent, Jason Bourne finds himself on the run again. But as he closes in on his girlfriend's killers, he realizes his former handlers are back on his trail. After his fingerprints are found at the scene of a murder in Berlin, an ambitious CIA operative (Joan Allen) becomes determined to stop him once and for all. Haunted by debilitating fragmented memories as he navigates the labyrinth of international espionage, Bourne (Matt Damon) must outwit, outmaneuver and outmuscle some of the most powerful forces in the world just to survive.

The Bourne Ultimatum:
All he wanted was to disappear. Instead, Jason Bourne (Damon) is now hunted by the people who made him what he is. Having lost his memory and the one person he loved, Bourne has only one objective: to go back to the beginning and find out who he was. Now, Bourne will hunt down his past in order to find a future. He must travel from Moscow, Paris and London to Tangier and New York City as he continues his quest to uncover the truth behind his mysterious past -- all the while trying to outwit a new generation of highly-trained assassins as well as the relentless CIA operatives who will stop at nothing to prevent him from learning his true identity.

For more about The Bourne Trilogy and The Bourne Trilogy Blu-ray release, see The Bourne Trilogy Blu-ray Review

Starring: Matt Damon, Julia Stiles, Brian Cox, Franka Potente, Gabriel Mann, Joan Allen
Directors: Paul Greengrass, Doug Liman


This Blu-ray release includes the following titles, see individual titles for specs and details:

The Bourne Identity Blu-ray    Blu-ray/DVD Combo Universal Studios | 2002 | 118 min | Rated PG-13 | Region free | Jan 19, 2010 After being pulled from the sea with two bullets in his back, Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) awakens on a fishing boat with no memory of his involvement in a top-secret, black ops arm of the CIA called Treadstone. The only... Action / Adventure / Mystery / Thriller

The Bourne Supremacy Blu-ray    Blu-ray/DVD Combo Universal Studios | 2004 | 115 min | Rated PG-13 | Region free | Jan 19, 2010 When his lover is murdered and he is framed for the assassination of a fellow agent, Jason Bourne finds himself on the run again. But as he closes in on his girlfriend's killers, he realizes his former handlers are back on... Action / Adventure / Mystery / Thriller

The Bourne Ultimatum Blu-ray    Blu-ray/DVD Combo Universal Studios | 2007 | 115 min | Rated PG-13 | Region A (B, C untested) | Jan 19, 2010 All he wanted was to disappear; instead, Jason Bourne is now hunted by the people who made him what he is--legendary assassin. Having lost his memory and the one person he loved, he is undeterred by the barrage of bullets and... Action / Adventure / Mystery / Thriller

The Bourne Trilogy Blu-ray Review

Live and let spy

Reviewed by Ben Williams, January 26, 2009

Of the many sub-genres of cinema, spy movies have long been adored by audiences and filmmakers alike. The storied James Bond films, Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan movies as well as "The Saint," "Mission Impossible" and the film versions of those popular series kept lovers of the world of espionage and intrigue entertained for decades. Unfortunately, by the time 2002 rolled around, the spy genre was looking a little tired. Spy movies had become increasingly about gadgets and over-the-top antics and the intrigue and danger that made the films interesting had been almost completely forgotten. The Bourne Identity arrived just in time. By casting Matt Damon against type as the titular mystery spy, the film dazzled audiences by blending heart-pounding action with a genuine mystery. The film was an unlikely success and spawned two sequels, 2004's The Bourne Supremacy and 2007's The Bourne Ultimatum. The films firmly established Matt Damon as an A-List action star while simultaneously redefining the landscape of the spy genre.

Bourne to be wild.

The Bourne Identity

Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) is having a bad week. He can't remember who he is, he's been shot in the back and is toiling away on a fishing vessel that just happened to be in the right place at the right time and saved him from drowning. Once he's healed and made it to land, Bourne makes his way to a Swiss bank, armed with only a mysterious safety deposit box account number and a vague recollection that he's in danger. There, he'll find an array of passports sporting his likeness, tons of cash and a number of weapons. As his confusion mounts, he discovers that when provoked, he's a skilled fighter capable of killing with his bare hands. Fortunately for him, plucky and down on her luck student Marie (Franka Potente) is willing to lend a helping hand and whisks him out of harms way. The duo make their way to Paris where Bourne repels a number of attacks from shadowy government organizations. What does it all mean? Can Bourne stay alive long enough to remember his own past?

The Bourne Identity is a visceral rush that just happens to present audiences with a genuinely intriguing mystery. Who, exactly, is this guy and why is the CIA after him? Director Doug Liman infuses the film with a palpable sense of dread that is punctuated by outstanding car chases and intense hand-to-hand combat. The film balances these two elements while surrounding Bourne's quest to find his identity with a profound level of paranoia. Liman delights in showcasing the film's omnipotent government agents, lead by CIA Boss Conklin (Chris Cooper), as they dictate their orders from the safe confines of plush Washington DC offices, while Bourne sleeps on park benches and fends off attacks from assassins by the skin of his teeth. Bourne is an assassin and an animal; civilization intends to eliminate him.

Among the supporting players, Franka Potente (Run Lola Run) is the film's true tie to the world that exists outside of Bourne's frenetic universe of espionage. She serves as the every day observer to his exploits, both violent and emotional. She's a wonderful addition to the cast and is both vulnerable and confused; but not immune to the excitement of the chase. In addition, Chris Cooper is wonderfully seedy in the role of CIA Chief Conklin. He takes some sort of strange delight in backstabbing and undermining his colleagues in his at-all-costs quest to have Bourne eliminated. Brian Cox and Clive Owen also both crop up in short, but memorable scenes that will resonate as the trilogy progresses.

The Bourne Identity is a fast-paced, exciting and groundbreaking spy film that focuses on mystery and intrigue over gadgets and phony heroics. The movie never fails to entertain and has considerable replay value. The Bourne Identity is highly recommended!

Movie: (4.5/5)



The Bourne Supremacy

The Bourne Supremacy begins some time after the events of the first film. Bourne and his devoted girlfriend have somehow managed to escape his troubled and unclear past by fleeing any sign of danger for safer ground. All is not as it seems, of course, and Bourne is quickly thrust into a new series of events that place the CIA back on his trail and stack the odds against him once again. Bourne's troubling nightmares, disorganized memories and renewed desire to learn his true identity, while avenging the death of a loved one, lead him across Europe and face to face with his CIA tormentors.

Unfortunately for fans of the Bourne franchise, things got a little muddy in this occasionally tiring sequel. Much of the movie feels like a re-hash of events from the first film and there are a ton of unnecessary plot points that seem more like window dressing for fight scenes than forward momentum for the overall plot. One of the strengths of The Bourne Identity was that the action served the plot rather than vice versa, as is the case all too frequently with The Bourne Supremacy. Fans of action flicks will doubtlessly enjoy the film's unique brand of action, but at the end of the day, there just isn't as much substance to the film as there was in the first.

The movie is not without its bright spots, however. Joan Allen's turn as CIA operative Pamela Landy is a welcome addition to the franchise. She's tough, sympathetic and no-nonsense; a suitably believable foil to Bourne's rogue agent. Julia Stiles reprises her role from The Bourne Identity in one of Supremacy's more memorable scenes. Both of these characters fill their roles nicely and set up a lot of important groundwork for the third film. In addition, Matt Damon is also in particularly great form in The Bourne Supremacy. Throughout the Bourne series, he turns in a series of great performances; playing against his "nice guy" type and consistently bringing a believable and sympathetic tone to his portrayal. Of course, it doesn't hurt that he really sells the idea that Jason Bourne is one serious dude who should not be messed with.

After repeat viewings and giving the film numerous chances, The Bourne Supremacy just can't live up to the heights of The Bourne Identity. While it does continue the fine action and stunt work of the original, there's just something missing from the story that drops its impact down a few notches. The Bourne Supremacy comes recommended, however, not on its strengths as a stand-alone film, but rather on the necessity of viewing it in the scope of the complete Bourne series.

Movie: (2.5/5)

The Bourne Ultimatum

Jason Bourne is at a turning point in his quest to discover the lost secret of his true identity. As he makes his escape from the climactic events of The Bourne Supremacy, Bourne will learn valuable information into his identity and the infamous "Blackbriar / Treadstone" operations that make up the events from his past. He'll find unlikely allies inside the CIA and the press while those who worked against him in the past provide invaluable assistance. Bourne will stop at nothing to learn the truth, even if it means setting foot in the heart of the CIAs operations back home in the USA.

Now this is more like it! After the slight disappointment of The Bourne Supremacy, The Bourne Ultimatum picks up the pace by telling a lean and mean story while never forgetting about the importance of plot. There's plenty of action to go around in this superior sequel, but the movie never fails to develop Bourne's backstory while sticking to the basics of the Bourne story. That's not to say that there aren't a ton of twists and turns in The Bourne Ultimatum. It is, without a doubt, an action film at its core. Director Paul Greengrass, who also directed Supremacy, seems more focused on Bourne's obsession with his own missing identity here. There's little time in this story for unnecessary exposition or throwaway scenes. What's left is a thrilling and exciting flick that isn't afraid to answer the big questions that have been lingering since the first movie.

As is the case with the entire series, performances in The Bourne Ultimatum are exceptional across the board. Julia Stiles and Joan Allen both reprise their roles from the previous films and play integral parts in Bourne's journey. Scott Glenn and David Strathairn step nicely into the roles of the two most scheming CIA bureaucrats in history. They provide a sinister element to the film as their plotting and conspiratorial ways make Chris Cooper's character from The Bourne Identity look like a boy scout.

What's not to like about The Bourne Ultimatum? It's a fitting end to a wildly successful trilogy of films. It never panders to its audience and isn't afraid to answer big questions and tie up loose ends. The Bourne Ultimatum is highly recommended!

Movie:(4.5/5)

The Bourne Trilogy Blu-ray, Video Quality

 

The Bourne Trilogy has been an eagerly awaited addition to many growing Blu-ray libraries around the world. Universal originally released the three films on the fledgling HD DVD format and the titles represented some of the better transfers offered during the course of the format's run. Fortunately, Universal has revisited all three films for this Blu-ray edition and has graced each title with a fresh, new, Blu-ray optimized encode. All three films are presented in their original theatrical aspect ratios and have been encoded using VC-1 in full 1080p. The three films all feature a very gritty look that includes plenty of film grain and a definitive stylistic visual appearance.

The Bourne Identity

Perhaps due to it being the first of the films, The Bourne Identity has more of a rough-around-the-edges look than the two sequels. It's the grittiest and grainiest of the films and occasionally flirts with crushed blacks and odd contrast levels. I have no doubt that the look is intentional, but it does stand as somewhat of a slightly different look to that of the two films that follow it. From a color perspective, The Bourne Identity features a mostly drab color palette that presents the occasional splash of vivid color. Detail is excellent throughout and the transfer maintains the illusion of projected film consistently during the presentation. The Bourne Identity has never looked better.



The Bourne Supremacy

Though similar in appearance in many respects to The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy benefits from a slightly crisper image and more saturated colors. All three of the Bourne films utilize the talents of Cinematographer Oliver Wood; a capable and skilled DP who clearly refined his intended look for the series over the course of the trilogy. The biggest change to the look of The Bourne Supremacy comes from its use of "shaky cam" photography. While I'm not personally a fan of this particular style of action photography, this Blu-ray encode does a excellent job of capturing every vomit-inducing moment displayed on-screen. Style preferences aside, this transfer has darker blacks than its predecessor, finer detail and a visible yet more delicate grain structure.

The Bourne Ultimatum

Looking much like the VC-1-encoded twin of The Bourne Supremacy, The Bourne Ultimatum has all the positive qualities of its predecessor while achieving slightly more refined levels of detail. "Shaky cam" usage is still in full effect, like it or not, but it certainly adds to the audience participation element of an action scene. For those who regularly experience motion sickness, I'd recommend your favorite anti-nausea medication as a good alternative to popcorn. At any rate, The Bourne Ultimatum looks exceptional on Blu-ray and, like the previous two films, is free from digital artifacts, macroblocking, edge enhancement, halos, excessive DNR, Ted Turner Colorization, additives, preservatives or any other unwanted alterations to the source material.

The Bourne Trilogy is a near-reference grade transfer on Blu-ray and is highly recommended.

The Bourne Trilogy Blu-ray, Audio Quality

 

The Bourne Trilogy kicks and punches its way onto Blu-ray with a first rate series of 5.1 DTS HD-Master Audio tracks that are sure to test the limits of any home theater system. All three films are veritable sonic masterpieces that feature deep and profound bass, explosive dynamics and an abundance of directional surround activity. Of all three tracks, The Bourne Identity is probably the weakest of the three. Identity tends to be slightly less active than the sequels with respect to track dimensionality and surround usage. Of course, this is entirely relative, as even the weakest of this bunch is still monumentally dynamic and involving. I was taken aback by just how in your face these tracks are. Having seen all three films theatrically, on DVD and even HD DVD, none of the previous versions could hold a candle to the audio delights contained within this Blu-ray-specific presentation.

For those of you with powerful subwoofers, be prepared to potentially have to make a few adjustments to your volume settings. Bass frequencies are handled in a brute force manner with each film. Every punch and kick is met with a resounding thud of bone-crunching intensity while gunshots are piercing and exceptionally powerful Directional activity is massive and enveloping; creating a three dimensional sound field that fills the room and shocks the senses. Make no mistake, The Bourne Trilogy is reference grade audio material and receives my highest recommendation.

The Bourne Trilogy Blu-ray, Special Features and Extras

 

The Bourne Identity

- Bourne Orientation
- Picture-in-Picture Commentary with Cast & Crew
- Audio Commentary with Director Doug Liman
- "The Birth of Jason Bourne"
- "From Identity to Supremacy: Jason & Marie"
- "Access Granted: An Interview with Screenwriter Tony Gilroy"
- "The Bourne Mastermind"
- "The Speed of Sound"
- "Inside a Fight Sequence"
- "Cloak and Dagger: Covert Ops"
- "The Bourne Diagnosis"
- Alternate Ending
- Deleted Scenes
- BD-Live My Scenes, My Chat & My Movie Commentary
- High Definition Theatrical Trailer
- Treadstone Files

The Bourne Supremacy

- Bourne Orientation
- Picture-in-Picture Commentary with Cast & Crew
- Audio Commentary with Director Paul Greengrass
- "Matching Identities: Casting"
- "Keeping it Real"
- "Blowing Things Up"
- "Crash Cam: Racing Through the Streets of Moscow"
- "On the Move with Jason Bourne"
- "Bourne to Be Wild: Fight Training"
- "The Go-Mobile Revs Up the Action"
- "Anatomy of a Scene: The Explosive Bridge Chase Scene"
- "Scoring with John Powell"
- Deleted Scenes - High Definition Theatrical Trailer
- BD-Live My Scenes, My Chat & My Movie Commentary

The Bourne Ultimatum

- Bourne Orientation - Picture-in-Picture Commentary with Cast & Crew
- Audio Commentary with Director Paul Greengrass
- "Man on the Move: Jason Bourne"
- "New York Chase"
- "Planning the Punches"
- "Rooftop Pursuit"
- Deleted Scenes
- BD-Live My Scenes, My Chat & My Movie Commentary
- "Be Bourne" - Interactive Game
- Blackbriar Files



While certainly not lacking in numbers of extras, the supplemental package for The Bourne Trilogy should have enough behind the scenes and insider information to satisfy the most fervent Bourne-o-phile. Universal has promised U-Control and BD-Live features on all of their Blu-ray titles and they hold true to their word in this set by including BD Live functionality for each disc, along with picture-in-picture commentaries from various cast and crew members for each movie. Much of what is found in these commentaries is recycled from the numerous featurettes found on these very discs, so don't expect any shocking new information to be hidden within. Universal has also included interactive mission dossiers for both Identity and Ultimatum. I suppose some might find this to be interesting for about 5 minutes. As it stands, it just gets in the way of enjoying the films. Finally, there's an interactive "Be Bourne" memorization game included with Ultimatum that succeeds at being both a nice companion to the film as well as an entertaining running trivia game to be enjoyed as the film progresses.

For those who crave featurettes, each Bourne Trilogy disc contains a plethora of in-depth behind-the-scenes information presented over a multitude of short and informative clips. While some of these tend to veer into promotional territory, most are informative and well put together. I was also thrilled to see that Universal included theatrical trailers in high definition for the first two films in the series. But, what happened to the third film's trailer? Maybe it's just so well hidden on the disc that I couldn't find it, but it seemed strange that they were easy to locate on the first two discs, but seemingly absent for Ultimatum.

Regardless, Universal has done a stellar job of piecing together a comprehensive and informative collection of special features with this Blu-ray release of The Borurne Trilogy. This is a fantastic set that comes highly recommended!

The Bourne Trilogy Blu-ray, Overall Score and Recommendation

 

The Bourne Trilogy has re-defined the spy film genre for modern movie-goers. Look no further than the latest movies in the Bond franchise for proof of its profound impact. While some might argue that "shaky-cam" techniques and hundreds of jump cuts per scene aren't a legacy worth embracing, one has to look only to the incredible storytelling that lies at the heart of each Bourne film to understand their appeal. On Blu-ray, The Bourne Trilogy has been given first class treatment with outstanding video transfers and reference quality audio. Supplements are also well rounded and offer an in-depth view into the production and adaptation of these films. Robert Ludlum's Bourne novels didn't exactly make it to screen completely intact, but few books ever do. What did make it into the final product has helped to build a series of compelling and engrossing films that have added a new wrinkle to cinematic spy mystique. The Bourne Trilogy is a must-own box-set on Blu-ray and is very highly recommended.

Amazon has added an interesting, Blu-ray-related offer to its Gold Box deals: the Blu-ray Boxed Set Deal of the Week. The current deal is for The Bourne Trilogy (The Bourne Identity / The Bourne Supremacy / The Bourne Ultimatum), which can be had for only $34.99 ...

Amazon's Gold Box deal-of-the-day is a special offer on the Blu-ray box set 'The Bourne Trilogy', which only today can be bought on Blu-ray for just $49.99, or 58% off MSRP. The price history for this title shows that the lowest this title has been is $58.99. ...

Universal Studios Home Enterainment has announced that it will release the three movies from the Bourne Trilogy ('The Bourne Identity', 'The Bourne Supremacy' and 'The Bourne Ultimatum') separately on Blu-ray on January 19, 2010. Disc details are expected to be ...

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