Jason Bourne - movie review
Jason Bourne
Plot: The CIA's most dangerous former operative is drawn out of hiding to uncover more explosive truths about his past.
Cast: Matt Damon, Tommy Lee Jones, Alicia Vikander
Director: Paul Greengrass
Rating: 12A (moderate violence)
Runtime: 2hrs 3 mins
Release Date: Wednesday 27th July 2016
Guess who's back? Back again. Bourne is back. Tell a friend. Yep, Matt Damon returns as Jason Bourne in Jason Bourne. They've ditched the 'The Bourne (Insert Clever Sounding Word)' and just stuck to his name. I have to say, I'm not a fan and hope it doesn't stick for other franchises. Not only is Damon back but Paul Greengrass (representing Gravesend) returns as the director who for me, is such an underrated filmmaker. Surely the result couldn't be anything more than perfection?
It goes without saying that it's awesome to see Matt Damon back in this role. Every actor has a character that everyone will remember them for and this is his. In fact, could it be that he was *puts on sunglasses* BOURNE for this role? YEEEAAAAHHH! Ahem. I'll see myself out... Anyway, jokes aside, Damon is absolutely fantastic as Jason Bourne and easily retains the mantle of one of the best movie spies. We did have a break from him for a while with the studio trying out Jeremy Renner in a spin-off attempt but honestly, they aren't even close. I use Damon's films when I want an exciting and thrilling time. I use Renner's film when I want a nap. The only issue that I had with Bourne this time round was he hardly speaks. I'd hazard a guess and say he has about twenty maybe twenty five lines of dialogue. I wasn't after any long monologues but Bourne was treated more like a silent assassin rather than the runaway spy we've known throughout the previous three films. If you've seen a Bourne film before, you'd know that a constant staple is a different CIA chief every film. In Identity, there was Chris Cooper. In Supremacy, there was Brian Cox. In Ultimatum, there was Joan Allen. Even in Legacy, there was Edward Norton. So who was decided for Jason Bourne? Only Tommy Lee Freaking Jones. I'm of the belief that no matter how bad your film may be, you add Tommy Lee Jones, it's bearable. He adds a level of coolness and intensity that he's become my favourite adversary of Bourne so far and potentially, steals this film away from Damon.
Alongside Jones on the side of the CIA is Alicia Vikander. She brings a new edge to the Bourne series as a hacker/analyst who can actually pose a threat to Bourne mentally. Having only had a brief career, Vikander hasn't put a foot wrong and she is brilliant in Jason Bourne. She's confident and eases into the series as a character that fans will likely remember. Speaking of fan favorites, Julia Stiles returns as the device to bring Bourne back in the world. She brings him some important information as an incentive to help. To be brutally honest, Stiles felt badly off in this film. I'm not sure whether she had trouble getting back into her character of Nicky after a nine year break or she just wasn't that into it, but her delivery is awful in places and not what I expect from a Bourne film. The reason as to why people prefer this over Bond is that it's never strays into clichéd territory. There's a scene between her and Bourne where some exposition is given and it's terrible. We also have Vincent Cassel joining the fray as yet another hitman to pose a physical threat for Bourne. He's really good as well because he's actually got a reason to hunt Bourne rather than being simply given an order. The final cast member is up and coming star, Riz Ahmed. He's been in Nightcrawler but you'll seen him soon in Rogue One. However, as for Jason Bourne, I liked Riz as this entrepreneur who's developed a controversial new system that could be shady. He's great in the role but it's his story that lets the whole film down. Yes, unfortunately, the fourth Jason Bourne film doesn't live up to the hype and can't quite reach the fantastic levels of it's predecessor's. All because of a bloody useless side plot.
Breaking this film down, we have three main acts. The first act is getting us reintroduced to Bourne and the other new characters. The second act is setting up the main plot. And the the third and final act is the climax. Two of those acts are great. The other is average at best, bordering on disappointing. The way Jason Bourne opens is fantastic. There is a brilliant chase scene through the darkened streets of Greece whilst in the middle of a riot. And then to top it all off, Bourne's zipping through on motorcycle. From that point, I thought that Bourne was well and truly back. However, it's the second act where it falls to pieces. The trailers are very vague so I won't reveal any significant plot points but the main story of Jason Bourne revolves around an important discovery about Bourne's past and him pursuing the answers. I actually enjoyed that aspect of the film because it took three movies for us to get to where Jason Bourne now knows who he is. If they copied that, I'd hate it. I like how they've given him a fresh new story to bring him out of hiding and they've certainly set it up in a way for future sequels to be made. Whilst the trailer may be vague, there are two inconsistencies that really bothered me. Firstly, in the trailer, we see Bourne knock out a guy with one punch. That's in the film but not as the trailer shows it. Secondly, the line from a CIA officer "Jesus Christ. It's Jason Bourne", not in the film at all. What doesn't work is the side plot involving the CIA putting their grubby hands into Riz Ahmed's work. It borrows heavily from the Snowden event and the whole invasion of privacy theme. However, that isn't the sort of issue Bourne would involve himself with. He's always on a personal mission so I'm confused as to why this insignificant story was introduced at all? I didn't like it. I didn't expect it. I didn't want it. Imagine going into Subway and just asking for a basic ham sub but they pile your sub with vegetables and sauce. Stop it! I just want a ham sub. Why is it so difficult to make a ham sub? The second act bogs the film down near enough to a halt but fortunately, the finale of Jason Bourne is sensational with a mind blowing car chase across Las Vegas. To make matters even better, it still upholds how Bourne car chases are urban and gritty. Whereas Bond will race in Aston Martin's and Lamborghini's, Bourne will chase you down in a Polo. That's like doing a drag race in a Prius.
All in all, Jason Bourne is still a very enjoyable mystery thriller but it should have been at the level of Identity, Supremacy and Ultimatum. Instead, this is Bourne Lite. The cast elevate and manage to save it from being a typical and generic spy film so I'm all for Bourne 5 (or 6 depending on if you like Legacy) as long as they learn from these mistakes.
My Verdict: 7/10
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