The fifth installment of the Bourne series finally comes home on Ultra HD and Blu-ray, and it’s crazy to think that it’s been nine years since Matt Damon last played Bourne. In that time, the world has changed and Bourne faces new threats and meets new allies in his search for the truth in the aptly titled Jason Bourne.
Matt Damon and Paul Greengrass, director of Bourne Supremacy and Bourne Ultimatum , reunite to bring Bourne back after an extended hiatus and the film benefits from both men’s love for the character and series.
There’s political intrigue, a lot of action and chase sequences, and it all culminates in probably some of the most crazy and brutal action scenes in the series’ history.
The story brings Bourne back after spending almost 10 years off the grid when new evidence about his past and family emerges. The writers do a great job of bridging the gap between Ultimatum and this film while also showing how the world around Bourne has changed since we last saw him.
Jason Bourne gets a little heavy-handed with some of the privacy/government issues ripped straight from the headlines, but it puts Bourne in the center of a rapidly changing world.
New characters are introduced that will likely play an integral part in the Bourne story, if there is another one, and while they do a good job playing their parts in the story there’s one character in particular that could have used more backstory, especially considering what happens at the end of the film.
Our main antagonist is obviously, in simple terms, a “bad guy.” We’re supposed to feel he has the government and country’s best interests at heart but his tactics seem ruthless and selfish, without care for the well-being of civilians affected by his decisions.
However, the story, direction and acting are all strong and Jason Bourne is a fun film to watch.
PICTURE/SOUND QUALITY
The Jason Bourne Ultra HD and Blu-ray comes with both versions and although the 4K Ultra HD may have a better picture quality, with colors that pop during some of the chase scenes in Athens and Las Vegas, the quality of the standard Blu-ray is still very good.
Like with many action movies, the sound booms during chase scenes and fight scenes. The bass during the aforementioned Athens and Las Vegas sequences really brings out the movie theater quality of both versions.
EXTRA FEATURES
The Jason Bourne bonus features are a treat for any Bourne fan. All the features and commentary are highly entertaining, especially when you get inside the heads of Damon and Greengrass about why they decided to bring Bourne back for another film.
Watching the features after the film gives viewers a deeper understanding of the world of the film and Jason Bourne’s psyche, especially when it comes to how the technology has changed and how that change has affected not only the United States but the entire world.
You get insight as to how the various fight scenes were shot, especially the climactic encounter that was a treat for any action fan. The making of the various chase scenes are very entertaining and give a greater appreciation as to what went into bringing Jason Bourne to life.
Here’s all the features you’ll get in the Jason Bourne Ultra HD and Blu-ray.
Bringing Back Bourne - Matt Damon and Director Paul Greengrass discuss how they brought a beloved character back to the big screen.
Bourne to Fight - A behind-the-scenes look at the fight sequences in Jason Bourne.
Bare-Knuckle Boxing - Matt Damon discusses his love for boxing and how he prepared for the bare-knuckle fight sequences.
Close Quarters - A behind-the-scenes look at the brutal fight between Jason Bourne and Christian Dassault.
Underground Rumble - Matt Damon, Vincent Cassel and fight coordinator Roger Yuan discuss how they staged Bourne’s final showdown with The Asset.
The Athens Escape - Matt Damon, stunt coordinator Gary Powell and second unit director Simon Crane discuss the challenges of shooting a chase sequence through cramped city streets.
Las Vegas Showdown - For the final act of Jason Bourne, filmmakers wanted something bigger and bolder than ever before. Here’s an inside look at how they pulled it off.
Convention Chaos - Join the cast and crew on location in Las Vegas as they film the final act of Jason Bourne.
Shutting Down the Strip - A behind-the-scenes look at one of the wildest car chases in Bourne history.
VERDICT
Overall, the Jason Bourne Ultra HD and Blu-ray is a great addition to anyone’s library. It’s a good film that delivers for fans of political thriller and action movies. The picture and sound quality is top-notch and you’ll get three versions of the film (Ultra HD, Blu-ray and Digital HD) for home or on-the-go viewing.
If you’re a Bourne fan, you’ll need to pick this up just for the bonus features alone. It’s great to see and hear people who love the series, characters and world talking about making this film. Let’s hope another Bourne film is in the works.
