The Bourne Franchise Popularized an Action Trend That Didnt Age Well

The Bourne Franchise Popularized an Action Trend That Didnt Age Well

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  • Why Shaky Cam Became Unfashionable in Action Movies
  • The Long Take Action That Replaced Shaky Cam
  • Is Long-Take Action Better Than Shaky Cam?

As a long-time aficionado of action films, I must say that the evolution of action cinematography has been quite intriguing to me. The rise of long-take action sequences, following the success of movies like John Wick, has certainly added a new layer of excitement and immersion to the genre. However, I do agree with your point that it can sometimes lead to films becoming overly reliant on these sequences at the expense of the rest of the narrative.


The discussion about what makes action movies compelling has been ongoing for quite some time among many movie enthusiasts, and it tends to evolve with the trends or occasionally due to the director’s limitations at the moment. The distinctive style of the Bourne series, as exemplified by its shaky cam action, represents one side of this argument. However, it’s essential to note that the correct answer may not always be so clear-cut.

Recently, this style has lost its popularity primarily due to the significant impact of the John Wick film series. This franchise has significantly shifted the focus from intricate editing to extended action sequences as the primary draw for movies. Previously, it wouldn’t be unusual to see Liam Neeson performing multiple jumps over a fence with numerous cuts in Taken 3, instead of the continuous, single-take actions we often see now with Keanu Reeves.

Once upon a time, Jason Bourne’s distinctive shaky cam style seemed cutting-edge and exhilarating. However, as cinematic expectations for smooth fight choreography have soared, this once innovative technique now feels like a relic from the past. But is the replacement of shaky cam better or worse? And can we expect to see Jason Bourne return with his signature style? Here’s what you need to know.

Why Shaky Cam Became Unfashionable in Action Movies

The important thing to establish is that one style is not necessarily superior to the other. The appeal of Jason Bourne was that the shaky cam fighting was done well, and director Paul Greengrass always knew when to pull out to keep scenes from becoming too choppy and confusing. It’s the fashion that’s changed, not Hollywood’s ability to occasionally make shaky cam effective. The problem came when directors started to use it as an easy way of not competently filming action sequences. The genuine skill to edit a shaky cam sequence became obsolete when editors could just slap some cuts together and not properly communicate what was happening.

The visual quality of films from the 2010s such as “Taken 3” or sections of “The Hunger Games” appeared less polished than intended, due to editing that seemed more focused on being choppy for effect rather than enhancing the action. Audiences are perceptive; they can discern when editing is haphazardly done to create tension and when it detracts from the overall impact because of its artificiality. Essentially, this rapid-fire editing technique is often employed to confuse the audience unnecessarily.

In simpler terms, shaky cam gained popularity due to its universal appeal, providing filmmakers with greater editing freedom since the footage wasn’t crystal-clear initially. The style often felt too polished and cinematic for no apparent reason, which can be a common characteristic of many productions from the early 2010s. This period saw rapid advancements in technology and expansion within the industry.

The Long Take Action That Replaced Shaky Cam

The Bourne Franchise Popularized an Action Trend That Didnt Age WellThe Bourne Franchise Popularized an Action Trend That Didnt Age WellThe Bourne Franchise Popularized an Action Trend That Didnt Age Well

After the arrival of John Wick, it seemed as if the stunning martial arts films from Asia hadn’t yet been filmed using extended shots. Its success on a minimal budget soon drew the interest of studios, who may have misconstrued the appeal of John Wick as being due to its action editing rather than Keanu Reeves’ heartwarming interaction with a puppy. Despite not being particularly innovative, it still felt fresh, and things began to shift. The shaky camerawork of Jason Bourne was largely replaced, and extended shots became the norm instead.

This is all well and good, but now long-take action has become the main event, with entire movies being structured around a really cool sequence in the middle and then being forgettable for the rest of the runtime. Looking at you, Extraction 2, The Gray Man, and many more. Action sequences aren’t there to break up talking scenes. They should flow into a script, maybe even being used to scale the stakes for the hero. Long-take action has led to some amazing action scenes in the past few years, but it’s also meant that expectations have been set without anywhere else to go.

Is Long-Take Action Better Than Shaky Cam?

The Bourne Franchise Popularized an Action Trend That Didnt Age WellThe Bourne Franchise Popularized an Action Trend That Didnt Age WellThe Bourne Franchise Popularized an Action Trend That Didnt Age WellThe Bourne Franchise Popularized an Action Trend That Didnt Age Well

In a new movie such as Extraction 2, they utilized clever special effects to create an extended action sequence that appeared to be one continuous shot. This is a fresh approach, yet it’s essential not to rely solely on this technique. The “shaky cam” style may no longer be the gold standard for action films, but the essence of action goes beyond just fast-paced editing.

In the 2016 film “Jason Bourne,” the shaky camera style seemed out of place because the character, now an older man, no longer required such intense visual effects. Instead of adding to the movie’s deliberate style, it appeared more as a compensatory measure. The movie’s quality wasn’t solely defined by this technique, but its thematic intent became less clear as a result. Sometimes, action sequences can be filmed and edited without relying on such techniques, but when they seem haphazard, they feel unpolished. Today’s audiences are more discerning and skeptical than ever, which has given us greater sophistication in filmmaking, but also robbed us of some naivete.

Essentially, both editing styles exhibit a sense of flow and enigma in action sequences, enhanced by their intensity. It’s largely subjective preference, but for action enthusiasts, if a punch isn’t shown, it could be seen as lackadaisical filmmaking. Alternatively, it may be a subtle directorial trick to perplex you, setting you up for an unexpected blow, such as an unseen jab to the head. By the way, “The Bourne Identity” is now available for streaming on Peacock.

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2024-11-04 01:33