AML Movie Review: “Zodiac” and “Bourne Ultimatum”
// August 12th, 2007 // fun
So this weekend was simply a great one when it comes to the movies we saw. Two 2007 films that really were so well done that I hope we hear more about them come Oscar time…
I also am adopting a new ratings system for myself, because…well, 5 stars just isn’t enough detail for me. And since I’m in school and love reading Entertainment Weekly, I’m going with letter grades from now on.
Until I change it up again, of course.
Zodiac: (A-) IMDB : ROTTENTOMATOES
Okay, this movie was long: 2:40. But while you could tell it was long, I was never bored or waiting for it to be over. I was glued to the screen watching this flick about a serial killer and those who investigated him. According to the text before it started, this was based off true events and case files from the San Francisco area. That added a lot to the realism and intensity. Some of the scenes in which they show the serial killer doing his thing (and there aren’t many) were chilling and gruesome.
But the main draw of the movie is the letters he sends to the newspapers, the codes, the reporters, detectives and others trying to find him. The movie takes place over a great deal of time which I think adds even more to how great it is. All the actors in it were fantastic…Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey Jr. and the rest.
It’s not a scary movie for the most part, although at times you feel it’s about to go all Brad Pitt and Seven on you, but it never does. It was just a well-made whodunit and one that was creepy, realistic and detailed. Great film.
Bourne Ultimatum: (A) IMDB : ROTTENTOMATOES
This movie as of the time of this writing had a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes (see link above). That is outstanding for an action film. I was so excited to see this because the other two were so great and intense, especially the second one I thought.
I was soooo not disappointed. I’ve seen most of the action and summer blockbusters this year. Live Free or Die Hard, Pirates of the Carribbean and Transformers. Pirates sucked of course, but the other two were pretty good action films, with Die Hard probably edging out Transformers on my ratings.
However, I thought that in terms of action adventure movies, the Bourne Ultimatum simply blew the others away. Casino Royale is the closest I can get to comparing this film to in recent years. Smart, intense and classic spy movies. While the others this summer were great “fun” movies, the Bourne Ultimatum was smart and just on a different level.
From the opening scene on, you really don’t have many moments to catch your breath. Nor do you really want any breaks, because the action and intensity was just amazing. Paul Greengrass who directed this one and the last film, is such a genius with the camera and with fighting scenes. The chase seen over rooftops in Madrid was unbelievable, ending in a magically choreographed one-on-one dual that you rarely see.
Everything felt “real” to me when I watched this. Yes, some things you of course will wonder if someone could live through. But it just didn’t feel like an over the top action movie. Which is what made it all that much sweeter. The simple scenes when he guides a reporter through a mob of people to keep him safe was utterly brilliant. Much can be attributed to the camera work, but the writing and execution was awesome.
The only thing about this movie is that it leaves you wanting more. There are rumors that a fourth film could happen, but I reluctantly hope it ends here. While the sequels have stayed at the same great level, I think the story had a nice conclusion and doing more of them would ruin the great trilogy we have here.
Likely one of the greatest action trilogies of all time.
12 Responses to “AML Movie Review: “Zodiac” and “Bourne Ultimatum””
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Are ya daft man?!?!?! Although Bourne U. was a really good film…better than Transformers? Pahleaseeeee, me thinks U were Bourne yesterdays if ya think dat! Bourne had some interest in the previous 2 stories to have you ask what was next. The ending was …. eh….and all the blair witch project camera work is odl already, I mean that was so 70’s!!! Ok so maybe it was 90’s, but still. Transformers had rockin effects, a terrific story line (coming form goofy 80’s cartoon plots), amazing visual effects, and a gear crankin musical score!!!. Not better than Bourne?!?!?! Someone is not wearing the pants in their family my friend, I suggest you stop eating salads for dinner, and put on a steak, time to cowboy up and go resee Transformers, and when you do tell em Captain Schwartz sent you….
I guess I’m daft
And I wish I knew who Captain Schwartz is…
Well, you’ve taken the first step in the right direction, so there’s hope for you yet!! Now step out of that dress and put on some spurs (well we don’t like the spurs, so put on some ….contact lenses), in that you can see which the better movie is =) And who is Captain Schwartz?!?!?! Ahhhhhhhh a new mystery unfolds…but its fair to say, aside from being the end all tell all know all of everything about which movies rock or not, he can also gargle peanut butter like no other!!! FYI: Please forgive any mispellings, as the Cap’n uses Web 1.0 (and we all know what that does to spelling (a.k.a Quick typing)
Are you going to hide behind that clever name and keep stalking me or let us know who you really are?
As far as being Web 1.0, get with the times
Hide for now…. I’ll emulate where the Transformers were hiding and noone could see them, perhaps I’ll leave some clues behind… perhaps I wont…
Get with the Times?… I dont like to read newspapers all that much… they waste paper!!!
Oh btw…. 3:10 to Yuma…. remake… the trailer lets you know this is a story everyone has seen before, even the music of the trailer is right out of little house on the praire, here comes pa music…. its gonna be predictable to a even if we all luv the ators who portray this tired old story…
So says Captain Schwartz…
its gonna be predictable to a T, even if we all luv the actors who portray this tired old story…* (stoopid web 1.0 doing it to me again)
“May the Schwartz be with you!”
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I would say that your review of Bourne U. is right on. I had a ton of fun watching this movie and thought it was spot on.
Shawn
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[...] scary little film called Zodiac starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Robert Downey Jr. was long but never boring. Based on the true story [...]