This is probably the hardest review I've written so far. I've been a fan of the Bourne movies ever since The Bourne Identity came out. I am one of the apparent few who not only like The Bourne Legacy but also can't understand why so many others don't like it. So the idea of Matt Damon returning to the role of Bourne after nine years was very exciting. Unfortunately the best way to describe the new movie is underwhelming. I think the problem with Jason Bourne (that's the movie not the man) is, not only does it feel like a rehash of previous movies but it also seems to have lost the realistic feel that the Bourne movies are known for. Click here for the spoiler filled review in which I go over my problems with the movie.
Nine years after he disappeared into the East River, Jason Bourne re-emerges in Greece. Drawn out by new questions concerning his past, Bourne must once again go in search of answers while the CIA stop at nothing trying to catch him. This time leading the hunt are CIA Director Robert Dewey (Tommy Lee Jones) and Cyber Ops Agent Heather Lee (Alicia Vikander). I know each movie in the franchise involves a rogue agent on the run from other agents, assassins and a control room full of analysts but they all managed to feel fresh. Each movie brought something new to the table. But with this movie they've tried to insert a new layer to Bourne's past that just feels forced, unrealistic and just plain silly. The whole movie is overloaded with unnecessary connections that don't make sense. Bourne remembered everything at the end of Ultimatum so I don't know why they needed to force another lie and more corrupt players into his history with the CIA and Treadstone. I think the movie would have worked better if the writers had left Bourne's past alone and come up with something new to draw him out of the shadows.
It's here in this maze of connections that the writers seem to have lost touch with reality and what the Bourne movies are all about. And it has bled through into some of the action scenes as well, that's not to say the action doesn't look good because it does. The car chase on the Las Vegas strip looks incredible and is highly entertaining but it's hard to believe that those vehicles could do what they did or do it for as long as they did. This really is a great shame because the action set pieces throughout the first four movies, including the car chases have always been grounded in reality. It's for this reason that Bourne has influenced so many movies in recent years such as Taken and the Daniel Craig Bond movies.
Matt Damon said he wouldn't play Bourne again without the right script. I hate to say it but he picked the wrong one. The whole cast provide great performances but are let down by a terrible story that's both unrealistic and a rehash of the previous movies in the franchise. People were unfairly critical of The Bourne Legacy, so I'm curious to see what people say about Jason Bourne. I don't know if Damon and Greengrass intend to make a follow up to Jason Bourne, but if they do, they should leave Bourne's past alone. With Justin Lin directing Aaron Cross' next outing, could a crossover be on the cards? This is still something I'm interested in seeing. Many fans have said that the movies got better when Paul Greengrass came on board, maybe the franchise could benefit from another change of Director.
What did you think of Jason Bourne? Are you interested to see what Justin Lin can do with Aaron Cross? Leave a comment below or find us on FaceBook and Twitter.
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