Review of Jason Bourne (2016) by Facebook U — 09 Feb 2018

Almost 10 years after his last action packed suspense ride, Jason Bourne returns to our screens again. What complex, mind bending, political adventure does he go on this time? Well, that there in lies the problem: it's not the complex story we hoped for. Exciting and filled with great action? YES. However, It appears Bourne has lost a few steps during his absence in the franchise.

The film opens up with Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) hiding in Europe punching the crap out of guys stupid enough to think they can take him in order to cope with the pain he endured so long ago. He is found by his friend and franchise vet, Nikki Parsons (Julia Stiles) who says she has discovered a new CIA program similar to Treadstone called Iron Hand. What does this have to do with Bourne? His father was involved apparently. After the CIA tracks Nikki to Bourne's location, the CIA director (Tommy Lee Jones) sends 'The Asset' (Vincent Cassel) to kill them both. Then, to the surprise of no one, Nikki is killed, but not before she gives Bourne an encrypted hard drive containing all he needs to know about Iron Hand. Now fueled by revenge and a thirst for this revelation about his past, Bourne goes out of hiding to once again uncover the truth.

As lazy as this film is, Jason Bourne isn't a terrible film. Matt Damon gives a great performance as Bourne, even though he has about ten lines in the entire film. He still knows this character and delivers on what's expected from him after all these years. The addition of newcomer, Oscar winner Alicia Vikander, is a welcomed addition to the franchise. She delivers a great performance but her character suffers due to the notion that Bourne will willingly come back to work for the CIA because he has a moral obligation to America. The CIA has been trying to kill him since The Bourne Identity, it's doubtful he'd trust them this far in the game.

The story, as simple as it is, still feels like Bourne, and that's thanks to director Paul Greengrass' direction of the franchise. The action, camera work, and performances remain consistent with his previous Bourne films.

Unfortunately this film can't save itself from feeling completely unnecessary. You can feel Universal Studios praying that this film reinvigorates the Bourne franchise, and in a way, it does! It's refreshing to see Bourne back on screen, but it's painfully obvious that even Greengrass wasn't keen on coming back. The word is that unlike previous Bourne films, this one actually had a completed script before shooting. If this Bourne film proved anything, its that they were better off doing the former.

With a title like Jason Bourne, you'd think this would be the Bourne film to end all Bourne films, but sadly, it's a very forgetful adventure with great action and a lazy story. If you're a Bourne fan, it's mildly satisfying. For casual movie goers, Jason Bourne gets tossed aside with the rest of the disappointing blockbusters to come out this summer.