...because “The Bourne Identity” feels so real, it also feels very alive...
Video:
The 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen is gorgeous. It´s smooth, sharp, and clear, and there aren´t any source print defects that I could detect. The color scheme is very good, too, with everything emphasizing how "real" and "natural" the movie is supposed to be. This transfer also shows how a film source is so much better than a digital video source since the high resolution of film and the tricks that one can achieve with film cameras and lenses create rich, dimensional images.
Audio:
The Dolby Digital 5.1 English is very well-designed. During the gunfight between Matt Damon and Clive Owen, you can hear birds flying everywhere in your room because of excellent imaging--the birds don´t sound as if they´re flying from your speakers because the mix places them between speakers. The intense, throbbing music score by John Powell is well-presented, never drowning out dialogue nor becoming background muzak. The audio gets a "9" rather than a "10" because there aren´t that many "wow" moments given the low-key nature of the story, but really, the audio is a pleasure.
The disc also has DD 5.1 French and DTS 5.1 English tracks. Optional English and Spanish subtitles support the audio.
Extras:
There´s an audio commentary by director Doug Liman. "The Bourne Identity" was Liman´s first big studio production, and various newspaper and magazine articles revealed that there was a lot of behind-the-scenes tension between Liman and studio executives. However, Liman doesn´t really address that tension, and his commentary follows the "this is how we did that" custom of most audio commentators. The commentary isn´t bad in and of itself, but knowing what happened during the production, it´s a bit frustrating that we aren´t given juicy tidbits.
"The Birth of ´The Bourne Identity´" is one of those making-of promos that appeared on TV prior to the movie´s release. Next up are some film clips--an alternate ending, four deleted scenes, and one extended scene. There´s Moby´s "Extreme Ways" music video. "Production Notes" (text pages) and "Cast & Filmmakers" (text pages) provide some additional background information about how the movie was made. Finally, there is the movie´s theatrical trailer.
--DVD-ROM--
This was one of Universal´s "Total Axess" titles, which means that using the disc in a computer links you to Universal´s website for additional extras. However, the Total Axess program has been discontinued (even though the Total Axess website is still online). You know what that means--the general public isn´t that enamored with interactivity yet. Pushing a few buttons on the DVD player´s remote control is good enough for most people.
--Miscellaneous--
A mini-booklet provides production notes and chapter listings.
Film Value:
The funny thing about Doug Liman infusing the movie with an indie sensibility is that "The Bourne Identity" is a more realistic spy thriller than stuff like the Bond movies. In the real world, spies go around keeping low profiles while diffusing problems. James Bond, on the other hand, struts around as if being a secret agent means being a celebrity and creating problems. Don´t get me wrong; I highly enjoy watching Bond movies. However, because "The Bourne Identity" feels so real, it also feels very alive, and you care about the protagonists because they seem like people you could meet. The movie plays like a human-interest drama as much as it plays like an action extravaganza.
Which DVD version of "The Bourne Identity" should you get? The Explosive Edition has more and better extras than the first DVD release of "The Bourne Identity". However, the first DVD has an audio commentary by the director as well as the movie´s theatrical trailer. Also, the first DVD has the edge in terms of audio presentation because it has a DTS 5.1 English track. It´s up to you to decide which DVD is best for you, though your choice will ultimately be focused around the "Extras vs. Presentation" debate. Luckily, I don´t have to make that choice. :-)
The 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen is gorgeous. It´s smooth, sharp, and clear, and there aren´t any source print defects that I could detect. The color scheme is very good, too, with everything emphasizing how "real" and "natural" the movie is supposed to be. This transfer also shows how a film source is so much better than a digital video source since the high resolution of film and the tricks that one can achieve with film cameras and lenses create rich, dimensional images.
Audio:
The Dolby Digital 5.1 English is very well-designed. During the gunfight between Matt Damon and Clive Owen, you can hear birds flying everywhere in your room because of excellent imaging--the birds don´t sound as if they´re flying from your speakers because the mix places them between speakers. The intense, throbbing music score by John Powell is well-presented, never drowning out dialogue nor becoming background muzak. The audio gets a "9" rather than a "10" because there aren´t that many "wow" moments given the low-key nature of the story, but really, the audio is a pleasure.
The disc also has DD 5.1 French and DTS 5.1 English tracks. Optional English and Spanish subtitles support the audio.
Extras:
There´s an audio commentary by director Doug Liman. "The Bourne Identity" was Liman´s first big studio production, and various newspaper and magazine articles revealed that there was a lot of behind-the-scenes tension between Liman and studio executives. However, Liman doesn´t really address that tension, and his commentary follows the "this is how we did that" custom of most audio commentators. The commentary isn´t bad in and of itself, but knowing what happened during the production, it´s a bit frustrating that we aren´t given juicy tidbits.
"The Birth of ´The Bourne Identity´" is one of those making-of promos that appeared on TV prior to the movie´s release. Next up are some film clips--an alternate ending, four deleted scenes, and one extended scene. There´s Moby´s "Extreme Ways" music video. "Production Notes" (text pages) and "Cast & Filmmakers" (text pages) provide some additional background information about how the movie was made. Finally, there is the movie´s theatrical trailer.
--DVD-ROM--
This was one of Universal´s "Total Axess" titles, which means that using the disc in a computer links you to Universal´s website for additional extras. However, the Total Axess program has been discontinued (even though the Total Axess website is still online). You know what that means--the general public isn´t that enamored with interactivity yet. Pushing a few buttons on the DVD player´s remote control is good enough for most people.
--Miscellaneous--
A mini-booklet provides production notes and chapter listings.
Film Value:
The funny thing about Doug Liman infusing the movie with an indie sensibility is that "The Bourne Identity" is a more realistic spy thriller than stuff like the Bond movies. In the real world, spies go around keeping low profiles while diffusing problems. James Bond, on the other hand, struts around as if being a secret agent means being a celebrity and creating problems. Don´t get me wrong; I highly enjoy watching Bond movies. However, because "The Bourne Identity" feels so real, it also feels very alive, and you care about the protagonists because they seem like people you could meet. The movie plays like a human-interest drama as much as it plays like an action extravaganza.
Which DVD version of "The Bourne Identity" should you get? The Explosive Edition has more and better extras than the first DVD release of "The Bourne Identity". However, the first DVD has an audio commentary by the director as well as the movie´s theatrical trailer. Also, the first DVD has the edge in terms of audio presentation because it has a DTS 5.1 English track. It´s up to you to decide which DVD is best for you, though your choice will ultimately be focused around the "Extras vs. Presentation" debate. Luckily, I don´t have to make that choice. :-)
Average user rating (1-5):
[release]10623[/release]