PLEASE NOTE - THE FOLLOWING IS A SPOILER FREE REVIEW. I WILL NOT REVEAL ANY MAJOR PLOT POINTS FROM THE MOVIE. Jason Bourne killed James Bond. You heard that right. In 2002 when The Bourne Identity came out, not only did it do the amazing job of making Matt Damon a credible action star, but it also showed how pedestrian, silly and downright out of place in a modern filmic landscape the Bond franchise had become (Die Another Day with Pierce Brosnan came out the same year and had an invisible car and really dodgy effects and lead to a complete revamp of the franchise with Daniel Craig in Casino Royale as a darker, grittier Bond).
The Bourne trilogy is hailed by many as a great trilogy (and it is). It was so popular that they tried to do a spin-off with Jeremy Renner, but that didn't really do as well as the studio hoped; it lacked the Damon/Greengrass combo. However, we can all rejoice as both Paul Greengrass and Matt Damon for a fourth instalment to the franchise. Will it match up to the high standards set by the original trilogy or will it do the same way as The Bourne Legacy?
The story/plotAfter a 12 year absence, Jason Bourne is drawn out of the shadows and back into the espionage lifestyle as new revelations about his past are revealed.
Overall opinionI am a huge fan of the Jason Bourne franchise. Even the fourth one, which admittedly isn't as good as the original three, but was enjoyable nonetheless. Bourne reinvigorated the spy movie franchise and without it I don't think movies like the Mission Impossible ones, Argo or Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy would have been greenlit and be as well received as they were. So what is this new movie like? It is a solid entry into the Bourne franchise. Like putting on a comfortable pair of broken in shoes, Matt Damon slips effortlessly back into the role of Bourne. The plot this time round revolved around a cyber expert at the CIA, played by Alicia Vikander, her old skool spy boss played by Tommy Lee Jones, with the threat coming from "asset" Vincent Cassel.
While everything seems familiar in the movie, it is noticeably different this time round, as it had to be because Bourne is no longer searching for memories from his past. Julia Stiles pops up again as former CIA operative Nikki Parsons to propel Bourne forward this time. The differences may not be to everyone's liking, but I found it engrossing from beginning to end, with some great set pieces and car chases, which have become a staple of the franchise.
It's a long movie at just over 2hrs and the pacing could have been tightened up in some places, but I was never bored. I really enjoyed watching all the main players move into place like pieces on a chessboard.
The PerformancesMatt Damon - Jason BourneI think it was a good idea to set this movie "in real time". It has been 9 years since Damon last played the role and while he has aged a little, the opening scenes show just how in shape he still is. He was his expected stoic self in the role and did everything expected of him. Another good performance.
Tommy Lee Jones - CIA Director Robert DeweyEvery Bourne movie has that agency character in officialdom that is trying to have Bourne killed to satisfy their own agenda. This time round, Tommy Lee Jones gets his chance and brings his trademark deadpan menace to the role. Definitely a great addition to the franchise.
Alicie Vikander - Heather Lee (Head of CIA Cyber Ops Division)She kind of fills the Marie role from the first movie and the Nikki role from the second movie. She is an insider at the CIA who is very ambitious but really thinks that her boss's tactics for dealing with Bourne are wrong and heavy-handed. She fits into this world very well and the ending with her is priceless.
Vincent Cassel - The AssetEqual parts smarm, professional, deadly and ruthless, Cassel does a good job with what little screen time he has.
The actionAs with every Bourne movie, there are some great motorised chase scenes in this movie. And once again it is completely different to anything that has appeared in any previous movie. Seriously, how can their be four movies (five if you include the one with Renner) and there is no repetition in any of them.
I was expecting a little more from the fight scenes in this, because the trilogy had set such a high standard, but the final fight scene did have some satisfying moments in it.
Other stuffThe scenes where they are tracking Bourne using social media feeds, satellite surveillance, facial recognition etc is kind of scary when you think that is stuff that probably actually happens in real life.
Some of the best lines and bits from the trailer don't appear in the actual movie, which I felt was a shame.
Final verdictIs it a good movie? Yes. Is it a great Bourne movie? Kinda. I would put it a fraction lower than The Bourne Identity, which is not to say it's bad when you consider just how good that first movie is. It is a solid entry into the franchise and does a great job of satisfying fans and leaving the story open to go in any direction.
During the past 9 years both Damon and director Paul Greengrass said they wouldn't make another Bourne movie without the involvement of the other. Now that they have, will they want to continue? I hope so, as this is a franchise that could continue for at least another movie.
My Movie rating system
10- Citizen "F*%king" Kane (A+)
9- Bloody Great (A)
8- Really rather good (A-)
7- Pretty decent (B+)
6- Definitely above average (B)
5- Middle of the road average (C)
4- Mediocre (D)
3- Meh (E)
2- Crap (F)
1- Why the hell did I waste my my time and money of this abomination (unrated)
Score - 8/10
