Many movies have tried recently, but none succeeded in topping "Ronin" in its car chases scene. The reason is pretty simple - the director John Frankenheimer is someone who's passion about cars AND driving. Besides "Ronin", his "Grand Prix" (1966) is another classic. I just don't see any other director who can match this.

Basically all other car chases scenes in movies rely too much on visuals effects, with scenes that are too choppy. They may be exciting to watch for the first 2-3 seconds, but at the end all very forgettable. Haven't watched "Supremacy" yet, but "Indentity" is a good example. While its one car chase (from the Gare du Nord) is above average in today's Hollywood movies, it's not even close to the scenes in "Ronin".

"Bullitt" (1968, with Steve McQueen) is famous for its San Francisco chase. The chase itself is marvellous, but I suggest skipping the rest of the movie altogether.

Boy, do I ever agree about Ronin. If you get the DVD, be sure to watch it with the director's comments track. One of the best ever of these sorts of things, as he discusses how he set up certain shots, why he chose the color palette, etc. Really fascinating for film buffs.

The car chases (which generally bore me) are absolutely edge-of-your-seat THE best on film. Just when you think it's over, it goes to another level of insanity.

And I've never seen a film so perfectly illustrate Hitchcock's theory of the McGuffin.

Cigalechanta

There is a little bit of Goa - mostly a blur as are most other cities that are shown. Very entertaining - keeps you engrossed.

Have not watched Ronin, but the car chase was awesome; there was a collective sigh of relief from the audience when it ends. Unfortunately also triggered memories of my accident last year - so left me more ragged than others might have been.

And Matt Damon..sigh!!!!

Does anyone remember the older Bourne Identity with Richard Chamberlain and Jacklyn Smith? It was a pretty decent movie too. It astonishes me that apparently no one can write an original script any longer and depend on repeating what I considered good or very good movies that in my view didn't need to be "cloned." I think the final insult is the remake of The Manchurian Candidate. What next: Casablanca?

indie, I would hate to have had an auto accident and then watch one of these car chases. I am glad you are ok though~

I too liked Ronin the best. Something about driving a BMW through Paris at top speed...lol

I just read that Eric von Lustbader is writing more Bourne books..no doubt, soon to be more movies.
Didn't Matt Damon look good! He is maturing very well
(says the dirty ole lady)

Scarlett: LOL, I was just thinking that too....he looked mature and fabulously hunky;-)! Do you think he will catch up to us ? Yours truly, Mrs. Robinson

Mrs. Slocum checking in.
Damon is from my neighborhood but have not seen him except in celuloid.

I'm back from the movie. Lots of great scenery in Europe, any Fodie from the Europe board should love it!!

Yep, I agree, Matt Damon's aging well. There was a short time ago he looked like a kid but since The Bourne Identity he's matured.

Just saw it earlier today. I was quite pleased with the Berlin scenes, but the Naples part was a complete let down. Enjoyed the movie, HOWEVER, I got extremely nauseated about 45min-1hr into the movie due to the way the movie was shot. It was host by hand-held camera for the most part, and I am get motion sickness easily (eg, got sick riding the SITA bus on AC). That really took a lot of fun out of me as I was *kind of* wishing the movie would end soon.

So, if you get motion sickness easily like me, put your scolpolamine on before seeing the movie.

Not that I saw it but I heard that the Blair Witch Project was filmed the way you described, yk.

I don't get motion sickness so I'll be ok. Thanks for the heads up though.

The hand held camera thing did bother me and there were times that I had to look away. It was pretty annoying at times.

The first weekend grossed $53.5 million, which (from what I've read) exceeded expectations. It is the best opening weekend gross for Matt Damon. I guess with only Catwoman as the other movie debuting last week helped Bourne Supremacy's box office.

My boyfriend who saw the movie with me, thought I was being melodramatic when I complained about being nauseated. Well, I was just reading some other movie discussion board, and many people complained about the jerky camera as well. Most people got a headache, but some got nauseated and had to leave mid-movie! Make sure you go early and get a seat at the back of the theater.

Just wondering if anybody else has seen the movie and want to comment.

yk,

I complained about that very thing to my husband and he kept making excuses for the movie like "we were sitting too close to the screen" and "it was a little out of focus." Heaven forbid there be something wrong with an action movie!

I saw the Bourne Supremacy over the weekend and I loved the hand held camera scenes. To me it made the scenes all the more exciting, like I was part of the fight!!

I saw it in a large theatre with stadium seating so maybe that made a difference. After each dramatic chase or fight scene the audience clapped and yelled woooo wooooo. My kind of audience! They clapped at the ending too.

I think Matt is getting hunkier with age too, love those biceps!

Without a doubt Matt Damon is getting better looking with time. I worked the premiere of Bourne Supremacy and saw him up close. Not only is he gorgeous, he appears to be very nice and unaffected. That night was a dream come true for many women as we also got to see George Clooney who just takes my breath away.

We saw that this afternoon, only 20 people in the usually crowded theatre due to the democratic convention, all kinds of doings and most locals have left town. Shops are suffering as well. We liked the film very much. Matt has buffed up! No longer the cute little boy of my neighborhood. We haven't seen the first. It's always out at our vid shop. Are there scenes of Paris in the first. None in this one. We now have three films with great car chases.
The French connection,
Ronin, and now The Bourne Supremacy

cigale-

I'm glad you enjoyed it even without ever seeing the first one. The first one has lots of Paris scenes. Here is a thread that mentions it:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34476419

Matt was buff (to me anyway) in The Bourne Identity. And he is aging nicely. He's not the boyish looking actor from The Talented Mr. Ripley and Good Will Hunting.

Merci beaucoup, yk (R)