Donnerstag, 25. August 2016

JASON BOURNE - Movie Review

 Title: Jason Bourne
Running Time: 123 min
Director: Paul Greengrass
Starring: Matt Damon, Alicia Vikander, Tommy Lee Jones, Vincent Cassel, Julia Stiles & Riz Ahmed

Review:
The name was Bourne. Jason Bourne. And he sure was licensed to kill. Yes, in an era where James Bond had become a cartoonish goof-fest with ice castles and invisible cars, the Bourne franchise reinvigorated the spy genre with its gritty and realistic approach. Rough fights, believable technology and handheld camera work were the trademarks of this trilogy that many films soon started to copy (including the above mentioned 00-agent himself). Nevertheless, launching a somewhat spin-off story with Jeremy Renner's Aaron Cross in "The Bourne Legacy" didn't work out, and so Matt Damon and director Paul Greengrass are back to tell yet another story about the ass-kicking amnestic agent.
"Jason Bourne" really tries to stick to the formula that made its predecessors so succesful, and yet still only feels like a light version of them. The direction of this film, of course, is top quality as usual and the action pieces are well realized too. The typical car chase for example is pretty damn awesome as our hero and his antagonist are really wrecking shit up (sources report 170 cars to have been destroyed for the filming of the sequence). Then, there is a particulary thrilling scene where a team of CIA agents move in on Bourne, which is as cleverly constructed as you would expect from the franchise. 
However, the movie fails to really sweep you off of your feet or get you as invested as the former films have gotten you. The problem probably lies in the way the characters are handled. 
Tommy Lee Jones plays a one-note "I-am-a-dick" CIA boss, which might suit his face, but is kind of generic. Alicia Vikander brings a few layers more to her ambitious and tough young agent, but while I still deem her one of the most beautiful and talented women in the world, she has acted much better in other films. The third new addition, Riz Ahmed, plays his character quite sympathetic. His past and motivations however are presented in a rushed exposition and are thus acceptable, but not accessible. His whole storyline seemed to have had more potential if the filmmakers had dug a little deeper. The same goes for Vincent Cassel's character's vendetta, which could have made for a very personal and heartfelt arc, that is never tapped on. 
And then of course, there is Jason Bourne himself. The thing that made his character so compelling in the past was that eventhough he was a precise and efficient killing machine there was an immense vulnerability and genuineness to him. Sometimes he was devastated, broken and confused. At other times determined and focussed. And then in some moments, there was even a smirkiness to him where (despite all his trouble) he seemed to enjoy his own cleverness and superiority. In contrast, this Bourne seems to be more bitter. So much so that you feel like you can almost count his number of lines on two hands. Unfortunately, the relationship with his father in this film seems to be coming out of nowhere and feels a little forced, failing to deliver the emotional weight the movie needs. One quiet but fantastic scene from "The Bourne Supremacy", where Jason confesses his crimes to the daughter of one of his victims, hits you in the heart harder than anything from the entirety of this latest installment. Further, there are some other minor issues, like Bourne coming to his spy tech in a little too convenient way, which showcase the slight slopiness in writing even more.
As a whole "Jason Bourne" gives you an entertaining two-hours that are fun to watch but not particulary memorable. Lacking an emotional core, the film does not manage to fill the big shoes it tries to wear. No need to see it in theatres, but you might want to catch it once its available on the streaming service of your choice.

For Fans Of:
The Bourne Legacy (2012)
Safe House (2012)
Quantum of Solace (2008)

Click Here To Watch Trailer!