Jason Bourne

Imagine my excitement when I found out that Paul Greengrass was directing a Jason Bourne movie. That only means one thing. Matt Damon's back as Jason Bourne. Interesting enough. The latest movie title of the franchise was simply Jason Bourne.

That was a kilig-overload for me. JASON BOURNE! Double that when it was confirmed that Julia Stiles was also coming back. And there's Alicia Vikander. Three of my favourite actors in one film. It was a total win-win for me.

I've been actually considering watching it again. Like seriously. Perhaps I really should.

Anyway, came July 29 when I was free to watch one of my favourite franchises. As usual, I watched it alone. Because I always, or at least more than often, watch movies alone and because that's what I do whenever the film I'm going to watch is something I've been looking forward to, and because I wasn't so sure how I'd react seeing Matt Damon, Julia Stiles, and Alicia Vikander on screen again.

I imagined myself to be so kilig. That's a private moment, which I would only share with someone particularly special. There's no one as such. By the way, I did the same when I watched The Bourne Ultimatum back in college. I was in SM Megamall.

And I was right. I got kilig. So kilig. Because. Matt Damon. Jason Bourne. Julia Stiles. Nicky Parsons. Alicia Vikander. Heather Lee. But why Lee? I'm intrigued with Alicia's character's last name. I'm intrigued with her character.

When Jason Bourne was coming to an end, say on the fourth quarter of the film, I had this idea or thought which I hope would come to pass. It'll be like Cameron Pryce. Yeah, I love Robert Ludlum. It's one of those moments when I wish I was filthy rich or at least a producer. I would definitely produce "Jason Bourne Returns" as well as the sequel to The Bourne Legacy.

I've read somewhere that Matt Damon only had limited lines in the movie. Regardless, I'd say the film was able to tell the story, to give justice to the movie title. As for the fight scenes, I'd say those in this film were not enough for me. I miss those in Identity and Supremacy. The drive scenes in Vegas though, I'd say, seemed to have tried to catch up with the 'features' of today's Hollywood films but still being true to its Bourne foundations. It even gave me a sense of nostalgia, as if I was brought back to at least nine years ago. It was like the story of Bourne's life was coming back to me.

It's really nice to have a lot of your favourite things rolled into one. I've already mentioned the three actors I love. Add to them the story itself, created by my top favourite author Robert Ludlum.

How I wish The Matarese Circle project would be reconsidered. Never mind if we don't have the original casts. Let's have someone else.

Robert Ludlum - The Scorpio Illusion

Arroz Caldo for Dinner at Slice with The Scorpion Illusion

                                                              

Don’t ever begin a Ludlum novel if you have to go to work the next day.

– Chicago Sun-Times

So true. So I was glad when we had a long weekend, courtesy of the Labour Day, though I started reading this at the night of 30 August. It was Thursday, in Slice. It was also the same night I bought the book. I was actually deliberating between The Scorpio Illusion and The Ambler Warning. I chose the former, half to an inch thicker than the latter, because I wanted a massive Ludlum comeback in my shelf. I do have The Road to Gandolfo, but for some reasons I couldn’t stick with it. By the way, The Road to Gandolfo was a gift to me by a foreigner whose name I can’t remember. I believe I wrote it on the book.

At the back of my copy was written:

Tyrell Hawthorne was a naval intelligence officer–one of the best–until the rainswept night in Amsterdam when his wife was murdered, an innocent victim of the games spies play.

Now he’s called out of retirement for one last assignment. For Hawthorne is the only man alive who can track down the world’s most dangerous terrorist.

Amaya Bajaratt is beautiful, elusive, deadly — and she has set in motion a chilling conspiracy that a desperate government cannot stop. Now, with his life and the life of the President hanging in the balance, Hawthorne must follow Amaya’s serpentine trail, a path of seduction, betrayal, an instant death…

Racing from a millionaire recluse’s fortress to the social whirl of Palm Beach and from the Oval Office to treacherous Caribbean waters, Hawthorne will uncover a sinister network of well-placed men and women who exist to help this consummate killer–and the shattering truth behind The Scorpio Illusion.

Pretty long and dramatic, right? Well, it makes sense. The Scorpio Illusion has a lot of story to tell, which in a way impressed me. You can actually have a jump-start if you’re planning to make a story out of the characters in the book. And how I wish I could, so there’d be one for Lt. Poole. He’s my favourite character in the novel.

Lt. Andrew Jackson Poole, US Air Force was:

(+) Intellectually-stimulating.

(+) Annoyingly witty. He usually got into the nerves of Major Nielsen, for sensible reasons which Hawthorne could and would not even dismiss.

(+) With intellectual humour.  You’d agree if you have some sensible intellect.

(+) Physically fit. Albeit being the tech-genius, but of course. US Air Force.

(+) Caring and protective. Major Nielsen and Hawthorne were very lucky to have him, not just for these traits of his.

Amaya Bajaratt, or “The Baj” for short, reminded me so much of Kate Blackwell from Master of the Game by Sidney Sheldon. Both were highly intelligent, manipulative, and dangerous broads. The Baj put the U.S. of A. to shame. When I said that, I was referring to CIA, FBI, and the Pentagon put together. Don’t look for Homeland because it only came into existence after 9/11.

The Baj was so elusive that Deuxième, MI-6, and even the great Mossad missed her. But these three were able to redeem themselves. MI-6, with its persistent efforts, was able to recruit Hawthorne and led him into an attempt of saving the life of the US President. That was no spoiler, because the details were all that matter. Like how on earth they and they missed this and that.

The Scorpio Illusion is more than a story of international conspiracy. It’s as deep as the moles had penetrated. It goes through one’s heart and soul. Betrayals and doubts were not uncommon. There was one revelation in the first pages/chapters of the novel, but it did not surprise me albeit its gravity and ability to shatter and destroy any human soul. What surprised me though was the confirmation of Robert Ludlum.

I like how former Navy Intelligence Commander Tyrell Hawthorne was presented as self-confessed inadequate person. He knew he’d been away for a long time so he welcomed help, especially from Poole and Nielsen, but he was of course cautious.

The Scorpio Illusion, so far, is a favourite but only next to The Matarese Circle. Vasili Taleniekov will always be number one for me. Jackson Poole only comes next, but I will definitely choose him over The Serpent simply because Poole’s not so older.

The Ambler Warning will be included in my next must-read list, but I will be content for now. I’m glad I chose The Scorpio Illusion first.

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Originally posted on: 04 September 2012
Reposted on: 15 May 2013