Hand-held Hatchet Job

Rating: Null/10 (16 September 2007)

Director Paul Greengrass has managed to turn a compelling screenplay into a big headache as he skips through the third installment of the Jason Bourne saga with his annoying perpetual motion camera. Greengrass savaged another top notch script -- United 93 -- with the same distracting and manipulative hand-held technique.
Great car chases? I think so, but I can't be sure because I'm focused on a tire, a headlight and part of a steering wheel in quick two second cuts worthy of an MTV video. These are linked together with long rapid pans that leave nothing but a blur racing across the screen.
Okay Paul, we get it. The shaky camera is supposed to subconsciously evoke the tension and excitement we feel watching news or documentary footage from war zones, riots or political conventions. How about evoking those feels with better scripts, better writing and better story telling? Too challenging? Come on -- Blair Witch was supposed to be shot by kids on their hand-held Best Buy camcorder. But is that really how we want all our movies to look? I've seen better cinematography from a drunken uncle at a wedding reception. We expect a little more from a high budget, professional, and artistic venture.
Popcorn at a Greengrass film? I'll take the Gravol.