First look: Universal births Jason Bourne attraction
Universal Studios is now rolling out “The Bourne Stuntacular,” a multimedia stage show, to its theme-park visitors. Although its status is “technical rehearsal,” the attraction appears to be on track to be the first major Orlando park debut in the post-coronavirus-shutdown era.
What audience members will see: A gigantic screen — it’s 130 feet wide and 28 feet tall — plus a mix of real and virtual actors (masks are one clue), fistfights, bursts of flames, chase scenes, gunplay, dangling from the ceiling and more for about 20 minutes. The choreography of effects is tight, and the action appears expertly rehearsed.
“Stuntacular” is, of course, modeled on the movie series revolving around spy Jason Bourne, usually played by Matt Damon. In the pre-show, there’s a long-ish explanation of the character and his current status. It involves false identities, recovered memories, human fighting machines and a government that has turned its back on Bourne. Or the fake Bourne. Or something like that.
“It’s complicated,” says Julia Stiles, the actress who plays Nicky Parsons and appears, quite solemnly, in the pre-show. We also see film clips of Damon in action. Honestly, it’s OK to drift during this part and equally OK not to have seen a minute of the films to enjoy the theme-park show. (Short version: He’s being chased, and he’s crafty.)
Although we are referred to as “operatives” in this Bourne mission, I don’t think I helped the Damonesque actors by merely sitting there. They, on the other hand, deserve hazard pay for all that elevated heart-rate activity.
Also of note: Bourne’s real-life slowmotion segment.
The show is in the old Terminator 2: 3D building, spiffed up a bit. One addition is a revamped stage that lifts several bulky props into position. Stunt persons also drop dramatically into a gap in the floor. (Note: Photography was prohibited during the show.)
But the big, big screen is literally a can’tmiss portion of the show. It transports us to Morocco, and the action on rooftops seen there moves left to right while our Bourne guy, in real life, walks right to left. Later, physical props are involved, and the spy leaps to them, while the action on the screen exaggerates the moves. The action gradually becomes more complicated, swooping into the air for a fight scene beneath an on-screen helicopter. Scenes also are set in Dubai and suburban Washington, D.C.
The show went into technical rehearsal mode Sunday after a couple of rounds of employee previews. This is about 10 days after the park reopened from its coronavirus-inspired shutdown. The theme park continues to take health and safety precautions, and that includes controlling where audience members sit.
Monday, workers guided us to seats in alternate rows, with travel groups staggered. It totaled about 30 clusters. After the show, we were released row-by-row to prevent bunching at the exit.
Face coverings are required during the show, just as they are throughout Universal Orlando’s theme parks.
Technical rehearsal, which has also been called “soft opening,” means that visitors can’t yet depend on a schedule for the show or even if it will be performed on specific days. “The Bourne Stuntacular” has been added to the lineup on Universal’s website and app, but no official opening date has been announced.
Other theme park attractions that were close to debuting this year include Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure ride at Epcot, the Ice Breaker roller coaster at SeaWorld Orlando, Riptide Race raft ride at Aquatica water park and Iron Gwazi coaster at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. No debut dates have been announced for those.