Jason Bourne - Film Review

Jason Bourne is the 5th entry in the Bourne franchise, the 4th to star Matt Damon and the 3rd to be directed by Paul Greengrass. It's also the 1st one to bore me to tears. At one point in the film, a miscellaneous government agent states, “We’re still trying to come up with a narrative to explain what happened.” Yeah, that’s putting it lightly. I never saw the much-maligned The Bourne Legacy starring Jeremy Renner, but I can’t imagine it’s much worse.

It’s strange. All the familiar ingredients we’ve come to know and love are there: Damon, the shaky-cam, the hand-to-hand combat, the computer screen surveillance sequences. It just all feels so routine. So dull. There’s no spirit or excitement to be found. Everyone is just going through the motions. At this point in his career, Greengrass can make this kind of movie in his sleep and it appears that’s exactly what he’s done.

So, what’s at stake this time around? What could have possibly pulled Bourne from a near-decade long retirement? Oh, you know, just another evil government agency scheming behind the scenes. Same old, same old. Some modern buzz words like ‘social media’ and ‘Snowden’ are thrown around in a desperate attempt to make the film seem relevant, but somehow it only makes it feel more outdated.

*SPOILER ALERT*



There’s also a random subplot which suggests that Bourne’s father played an active role in Bourne’s being recruited as a spy in the first place. It is so bafflingly stupid, nonsensical and out of place that I wanted to stand up and scream, “Just wipe MY memory and be done with it already!”



*END SPOILERS*



New cast members Alicia Vikander and Tommy Lee Jones contribute nothing to spice up the proceedings. They blend right into the background with all the fluorescent screens and non-descript government workers. Unlike Joan Allen’s Pam Landry character in the latter two films of The Bourne Trilogy, none of the supporting characters seems to have any depth or motivation beyond “MUST FIND BOURNE AND TAKE OVER WORLD.” Vikander is poised to be the series’ Landry replacement, but her portrayal doesn’t hold a candle to Allen’s compelling turn.

Even the action scenes seem to carry the weight of a heavy, apathetic sigh. What was once a defining staple of the series has become boring and by-the-numbers. The fight scenes are lackluster and even the car chase at the film’s climax can’t inspire any genuine thrills, no matter how many vehicles are tossed into the air.

I thought the return of Matt Damon and Paul Greengrass would mark a return to form for the series. Sadly, they were probably better off staying away from the franchise altogether; they’ve done it no favors here.

Jason Bourne? More like Jason Bourde.

FINAL RATING: 2/5