Best American Action Film

Rating: 9/10 (29 August 2007)

Back to days when I was in university, I was used to spend $0.80 to watch 3 action movies a day, in China. I am spoiled by good ones, especially great action movies directed by John Woo. For a long time, I don't think Hollywood really know how to make good action movies except spending money in CGI, inventing imaginary hitech weapons(like in Bond films), or showing muscles. The problem I have with those movies is that those directors simply did not respect audiences' intelligences, in terms of concentrating on action exhibition without wishes to say something more. Paul Greengrass certainly inverted the prejudice. The shaky technique is now a Bourne movies' trademark to drag audiences into the situation. However, it's not the point I like most. I think he is a good director knows rhythm. He carefully controls the time he could express some his own feelings like sympathy, and leave enough spaces for audiences. About the ending, although it's an old trick, I still have to say it's really well-done, especially in terms of establishing the connection with the beginning of the whole trilogy. From my point of view, it's the all time best action movie made in Hollywood. Good job, Greengrass. Well done, Hollywood!