The Bourne Identity 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "The Bourne Identity" offers a somewhat mixed bag in terms of video quality. Shot on film using the Super 35 format, the movie is presented in its original 2.39:1 theatrical aspect ratio, with HDR coloring applied in a restrained manner. While overall clarity and detailing are commendable, featuring modest granularity and deep blacks, there's an evident lack of a new scan, hinting at an existing catalog master’s reuse. This results in occasional edge enhancement visibility and subdued highlight details. The color palette leans heavily towards cool tones—blues, grays, greens, and browns—reflecting the film's wintery settings. Despite these limitations, this UHD version arguably marks an improvement over the original Blu-ray master, which itself was never particularly lauded for its video quality.

However, there's a noticeable discrepancy in evaluations of the UHD transfer’s fidelity. Some might find the transfer drearily dull and flat, with an over-thinned grain and washed-out colors, detracting from the immersive experience expected from UHD content. Universal's approach to this transfer has been criticized for lacking effort, as it appears more like an enhanced contrast adjustment rather than a thorough remaster. While the resolution increase marginally boosts detail in textiles, most elements, including facial details and environmental textures, show minimal enhancements over its 1080p counterpart.

Despite these criticisms, "The Bourne Identity" on 4K UHD Blu-ray does offer certain improvements that fans might appreciate. Black levels are notably better, aiding in scenes requiring deeper shadow detail. Unfortunately, these advancements are somewhat marred by persisting issues with soft imagery and an overall presentation that doesn't consistently elevate the film's visual intrigue. The movie's cinematography, which adeptly channels espionage aesthetics from bygone eras while accommodating a modern muted color scheme, deserves a more polished showcase than what seems to be provided here. This release underscores the challenges of upgrading early-2000s cinematography to meet contemporary UHD standards, leaving enthusiasts with a version of "The Bourne Identity" that's improved in places but still flawed.

The DTS:X audio track of "The Bourne Identity" on 4K UHD Blu-ray delivers an assertive and engaging listening experience, albeit with a touch of imperfection. It's a soundtrack that thrives on its raw power and aggressive deployment across the soundscape, utilizing all channels to immerse the viewer. From the initial scenes featuring a thunderstorm, where the sound of rainfall and wind is palpable, creating an almost tactile sensation of the elements at their most ferocious, to the intricacies of quieter moments that maintain the listener's engagement, the mix is commendably dynamic. The film’s iconic score underpins these sequences, bolstering the layer of immersion with its full-stage presence and balanced audio saturation, though it slightly lacks in the finer subtleties and sophistication of premier audio tracks.

Throughout the movie, explosive moments and action sequences like shotgun blasts and explosions are rendered with notable depth and realism, filling the room without overwhelming the auditory senses. Ambient sounds, from creaking boats to bustling docks, are seamlessly integrated into the audio mix, enhancing the film's atmospheric depth. Dialogue remains clear and well-prioritized, anchored firmly within the front-center of the soundstage, ensuring that each spoken word is both audible and distinct amidst the potent sound effects and score.

In comparison to its predecessors on Blu-ray, this DTS:X mix introduces a more immersive soundscape, especially highlighted in scenes with rapid movement or combat, where the vertical extension of the soundstage provides a more enveloping experience. The soundtrack's design showcases a range of dynamics from quiet tension to booming intensity, leveraging both the clarity of DTS:X and its aggressive yet precise staging to create a superior auditory experience for home theaters. Additional audio options, including a DTS Headphone:X track and multi-language support, ensure that this release offers an enhanced listening experience for a variety of audiences, marking a significant improvement over previous formats.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "The Bourne Identity" delivers a visually stunning upgrade of the classic spy/action thriller, appealing directly to genre aficionados and technical enthusiasts alike. While the sole supplement on the UHD disc is the engaging audio commentary by Director Doug Liman, the comprehensive suite of extras is housed on the included 1080p Blu-ray. This array of bonus features offers an in-depth exploration of the film's production, the literary background of the Bourne series by creator Robert Ludlum, and a peek behind the curtain of covert ops that lends authenticity to Jason Bourne’s cinematic universe. It's particularly noteworthy that the alternate opening and ending, albeit in standard definition, provide intriguing what-if scenarios for fans. The inclusion of deleted scenes, extended sequences, and interviews with key contributors enriches the viewing experience, making this release a must-have for collectors and enthusiasts seeking to delve deeper into the Bourne identity.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: With Director Doug Liman.
• The Ludlum Identity: A look into Robert Ludlum's rise and legacy.
• The Ludlum Supremacy: Continuation of Ludlum's impact.
• The Ludlum Ultimatum: Conclusion of the series on Ludlum.
• Alternate Opening and Alternate Ending: Offers an interesting twist to the narrative.
• Deleted Scenes: Including four scenes that were wisely cut from the final film.
• Extended Farmhouse Scene: Additional content not in the original film.
• The Birth of The Bourne Identity: Standard EPK with insights from cast and crew.
• The Bourne Mastermind: Robert Ludlum: Insight into Robert Ludlum’s life.
• Access Granted: An interview with co-writer Tony Gilroy on adapting the novel.
• From Identity to Supremacy: Jason & Marie: Thoughts from Damon and Potente on their roles.
• The Bourne Diagnosis: A psychiatrist's take on Bourne's amnesia.
• Cloak and Dagger: Covert Ops: Brief history and realism analysis by a former CIA agent.
• Inside a Fight Sequence: On-set production footage of a key fight scene.
• Moby Extreme Ways Music Video: The iconic theme song's music video.

Universal's release of "The Bourne Identity" onto 4K UHD Blu-ray presents a significant upgrade for the franchise's fans, particularly given its timing with the release of the new movie. The 4K video quality score readily suggests an enhanced viewing experience of this iconic spy thriller. With the 2160p transfer and added DTS:X sound, the visual and auditory presentation of Jason Bourne's (Matt Damon) gritty quest to unravel his obscured identity is notably elevated. The crispness of the Mediterranean's blues and the streets of Paris are brought to life with striking detail, offering a fresh perspective on the film's dynamic cinematography and intense action sequences.

The plot of "The Bourne Identity," revolving around Bourne's amnesiac plight and subsequent entanglement with Marie (Franka Potente), provides a compelling mix of espionage intrigue and personal drama, accentuated by the UHD presentation. The film’s blend of suspense, romance, and action benefits from the upgraded audio-visuals, showcasing its well-crafted espionage elements and the intense, yet oddly humorous dynamics of Bourne's alliance with Marie. Despite its brisk pacing and some narrative conveniences, "The Bourne Identity" remains a cornerstone of spy cinema, reaffirmed by its enhanced technical prowess on this format.

Regarding the physical disc itself, the release as part of both an individual package and within the Bourne Ultimate Collection demonstrates Universal's commitment to giving fans multiple ways to enjoy Bourne’s story. The Ultra HD Blu-ray disc, designated as a BD-66, features sleek disc art against a dark background, moving straight into a full-frame menu upon insertion. This streamlined approach, combined with the inclusion of a Digital HD version that supports Dolby Vision and Dolby Digital Plus, ensures that viewers can experience the thrilling saga of Jason Bourne with unprecedented clarity and sound, solidifying "The Bourne Identity’s" place in the high-definition era.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "The Bourne Identity" offers a significant visual and auditory enhancement to this cornerstone of the spy/action genre, marking it as a must-have for enthusiasts and fans alike. This version showcases the film in its finest form yet, supported by HDR10, which brings out the best in the movie's dynamic visuals. Coupled with a DTS:X audio track, it provides an immersive experience that elevates every chase sequence and tense exchange. The availability of the film as part of "Bourne: The Ultimate Collection 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray box set" exclusive to Best Buy, which includes all the sequels plus additional Blu-ray bonus content, presents a tempting offer for collectors seeking to upgrade or complete their collection.

However, while this release sets a new standard for the franchise's home video presentation, it also serves as a barometer for Universal's potential in the 4K UHD market. Fans might have heightened expectations for future releases of studio classics like "Spartacus," "Jurassic Park," and "Back to the Future," anticipating a similar or superior level of attention to detail. Despite "The Bourne Identity" not being the pinnacle entry in its series for some, it remains an influential film, and its re-watchability is enhanced by the technical prowess of this release. Given the source material's age, this is likely the best presentation we'll see for some time, making it a recommended purchase for those wishing to experience the film in unparalleled quality.

In conclusion, the 4K UHD release of "The Bourne Identity" is a testament to the enduring appeal and influence of the film, presented with technical enhancements that both honor and elevate the original material. While there’s room for Universal to refine its approach to future 4K UHD releases, this edition represents a significant step forward and sets high expectations for what's possible with classic catalog titles in the format. Fans of the genre and series will find this to be a valuable addition to their collection, offering the best possible viewing experience with caveats that are worth navigating for the upgrade it provides.