Bourne vs. Bond

[jmt225]

I decided to create this topic because I just came across an interview the oh so awesome Matt Damon did with US Weekly a couple of weeks ago in which after being asked on how he feels about the Bourne franchise getting compared to the James Bond franchise because of the path the Bond films have taken as of late with Quantum of Solace, he states:

“They could never make a James Bond movie like any of the Bourne films,” Damon said. “Because Bond is an imperialist, misogynist sociopath who goes around bedding women and swilling martinis and killing people. He’s repulsive.”

So, how do you feel about that? Do you agree with him, or do you prefer the Bond character over the Bourne character?

Personally, I wouldn't call Bond "repulsive", but I must say I thoroughly enjoy the Bourne movies, while I have yet to see a James Bond film that comes anywhere near being as good as The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy, and The Bourne Ultimatum. I liked Goldeneye, frankly just because I absolutely loved the video game for Nintento64, and I recently was able to catch Casino Royale for the first time on Showtime, and while it was better then I expected, it's still nothing compared to Jason Bourne and his flicks. Every other Bond film I've ever watched (which aren't that many to be honest), I thought were shit. I simply just didn't enjoy it. None of the actors that play Bond are anywhere close to being as good of actor as Damon is, and well... the Bourne character is just more intriguing. And also the writing to every Bourne movie thus far has been superb. Absolutely superb. While writing and an interesting character come second fiddle to the Bond films. All they really focus on is the random girl and the action sequences, which still fail when compared to the heart pounding excitement every Bourne movie has supplied us with with their action sequences.

Anyway, just my opinion here. What’s yours? I know there are some big Bond fans here, so I'm interested in seeing how you'll feel about Damon's statements and how you'll explain how the Bond character is better then the character of Jason Bourne.

 

[Mr. TM]

Well I'll take the other approach of this and call Bond the better character. The Bourne movies were alright, but I never saw anything great out of them, although I haven't seen the 3rd one yet. The first one was good, I wasn't a fan of the second one, and soon enough I'll sit down and watch the third one. The Bond movies and Bond in general are classics. Golden Eye was actually a really great movie, although the game was possibly better. But there have been many great Bond movies and quite a few actors to do well as Bond.

 

[Slyfox696]

Matt Damon said it? Then I agree with him. Maybe it's because I have an unhealthy fascination with Damon.

But, as far as Bond movies go, I've never been able to watch a full one. For whatever reason, the Bond movies don't interest me, NEARLY as much as the Bourne movies did. Jason Bourne was an incredible character, deep, passionative and cold at the same time. Very good character.

 

[klunderbunker]

As usual, I'm anti-Sly here, but not for the sake of being it.

I watched the first Bourne movie, and while it was ok, that's all it was. Just ok. I've always been a big Bond fan, especially the older stuff. I think part of it was the aspect of the Bourne movies of him not remembering anything about his life that threw me off on it. I didn't want to hear about that. I wanted to see him use gadgets, beat people up and save the world. Now granted he did all that, but that's all I wanted to see. Movies like this to me shouldn't have much depth to them, which is what makes them fun. You can get swept up in how over the top they are, making them awesome. Bourne wasn't bad, but I'm a sucker for Bond movies.

 

[Minor League Brian]

People really can't seem to grasp the Bond character, as evident by Damon's comments. Yes, besides the new Bond, most Bond movies over the last few years have been nothing more then cheesy spy movies where its nothing but over the top gadgets, stupid one liners, and the knowledge that every girl that gets on screen is going to end up sleepin' with Bond.

But the thing that actually makes the Bond character deep is WHY he's like that. They got into it with Casino Royale. People forget that there's actually a back story with the Bond Character, its just that their ARE so many of them its been watered down. If the Bourne series had THAT many movies, with THAT many different actors, and in THAT long a span; it'd be a better comparison and Bourne would win, but with all that in mind; Damon's a moron. Bond > Bourne.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Bond has been going for over 45 year's in film,Bourn about 7. It's inevitable that at some point, if the Bourne franchise continues, it'll have a couple of films like some of the poorer Bond.

Collectively the past three Bourne films have been better than the last three Bond. But none of the Bourne films are better than Dr. No, From Russia With Love or Goldeneye. As well as a couple of others, honors even, for now.

 

[PlayTheGame]

Bond has been going for over 45 year's in film,Bourn about 7. It's inevitable that at some point, if the Bourne franchise continues, it'll have a couple of films like some of the poorer Bond.

Collectively the past three Bourne films have been better than the last three Bond. But none of the Bourne films are better than Dr. No, From Russia With Love or Goldeneye. As well as a couple of others, honors even, for now.

Good point Jake. When you look at it from a franchise vs franchise point of view, Bond wins it easily due to longevity and some true classics here and there.

Although the Bourne trilogy was pretty good, the Bond FRANCHISE is definitely unbeatable and will continue to survive and thrive for years to come.

 

[Leeds Guy]

As much as i love the Bourne films, Bond is simply better. Theres about 3 bad James Bond films compared to the other 19 good ones. I fail to see Matt Damons point, while i feel he is a great actor i dont understand how can he call the Bond character Repulsive?

If you wanna see the Bond the rest of us have talked about then i suggest you watch the Bond films from the 60's and 70's. In closing Bond > Bourne