One-hundred-plus years of filmmaking provides a long, rich, and deep history to look back on. Retro reviews and analysis of old films are practically necessary full-time specialties. Month after month, films release, vying to make as much money as possible. Some rise, some fall, but regardless of financial success, it’s never a sign of a lasting effect. A great example is the little-mentioned 2012 film released just eight years ago. 2012 made nearly 800 million dollars and effectively vanished off the face of the earth.
So, where does that leave past box office champs? Let’s take a look back ten, twenty, and thirty years ago at the biggest movies released in June.
32007 – Bourne Ultimatum
The Stars
Matt Daman was already an Oscar-winner and bankable star before he decided to add action hero to his resume. As Bourne, Damon shined with a stoic focus and a look of constant internal turmoil. Bourne was not suave and smooth like Bond or super-powered like Spider-Man. The appeal of the Bourne series that Damon matched with his performance is a brutal realism, even if Bourne is practically indestructible like a superhero.
The Film
From a comedy-action film to an action-sort-of-comedy film to full-blown, high-octane action film with little comedy what-so-ever. The times have changed, and Bourne Identity helped with that by popularizing shaky cam action flicks that even influenced the Bond series. Bourne Ultimatum was the last Bourne film with Damon before they made another one which is now (currently) the last one. The film capped off a successful trilogy that was both action packed and intriguing.
In the Bourne Ultimatum, super-spy Jason Bourne is still on the hunt for the truth about his past. Lots of shots are fired, twists and turns about nods to previous moments in the series, and car chases occur. If you like one Bourne movie you’ll like them all, except maybe Bourne Legacy, but it’s a solid action series and Ultimatum was mostly a good “end” to it all.
