Jason Bourne review: “Just amazing summer action brilliance.”

Jason Bourne review: Do Greengrass and Damon still have that magic? And can the series survive post-amnesia intrigue?

Jason Bourne review by Luke Ryan Baldock, July 2016.

Jason Bourne review

It’s been 9 years since Paul Greengrass and Matt Damon dabbled in the Jason Bourne franchise. In 2012 we had an attempt at expanding the universe and although it was a serviceable action film it never captured the brilliance of Greengrass’s two sequels to Doug Liman’s fantastic original. Aside from an attempt to continue the franchise without its star, the Bourne films have remained relatively pure. They don’t pedal huge amounts of merchandise, product placement is barely noticeable (especially compared to another JB), and the film’s have never pandered to fans with needless returning characters, sly winks, or running jokes. It’s quite rare for a successful film series to be so confident, but that’s exactly what Bourne is.

This time Bourne (Damon) can be found in Greece, having gone into hiding and living a life as a bareknuckle boxer. Unfortunately for Bourne a ghost from his past, Nicky Parsons (Julia Stiles), reveals that after Treadstone and Blackbriar, a new Black Ops program is set to begin. The files also reveal that Bourne’s father (Gregg Henry) may have had some involvement in the setting up of such programs. As Bourne jetsets to find answers he must evade the clutches of CIA Director Robert Dewey (Tommy Lee Jones), opportunistic agent Heather Lee (Alicia Vikanda) and an Assett (Vincent Cassel) who wants vengeance against Bourne after leaked information on Blackbriar broke his cover and resulted in him being tortured.

Jason Bourne review

The best thing about Jason Bourne is that it knows exactly what it wants to be, and pulls off everything it wants to achieve. It feels odd that it has been 9 years, as the film feels like a straight continuation with little change in theme, mood, or tone. That means if you liked the first three films, then you should get along with this fantastic instalment. However, if shaky-cam, very serious characters, and confusing dialogue involving lots of codewords, aren’t your thing then you won’t find yourself suddenly enamoured. But that’s the joy, in a time when almost every blockbuster tries to also be a comedy, and many rumours of reshoots to add funny bits, it was great to sit down with a mature film that takes itself seriously.

Damon is just as strong as ever in the lead role, while also getting to chew on some extra emotional meat throughout the film. The revelations add more humanity and relatability to Bourne (or should that be David Webb?). Meanwhile Lee Jones follows brilliant antagonists such as Chris Cooper, Brian Cox, and David Strathairn, to give the film its main villain, representing a government that looks at the bigger picture without thinking of individuals. Lee Jones also uses his dry delivery to get a few laughs, and his duplicitous twists add a sinister amount of cruelty.

Jason Bourne review

But plot and character have never been the draws of these films, so thankfully the action is also as exciting as ever. Having perfected the art of cutting between technologically advanced surveillance rooms filled with jargon, and the action they are surveilling, Greengrass builds tension and keeps frenetic pace that is also followable. The violence, despite being a 12A, is hard and tough, reminding us that these characters face real consequences. The shaky-cam will still offend many, but I’ve never had a problem with it. A climactic car chase that ends in a fistfight is a particular highlight, showcasing great practical stunts.

The film also adds a number of timely ideas, most notably the inclusion of a subplot involving a new operating system. This links in themes of our own identity and its fragility on the internet, truly showing a terrifying parallel between our lives and Bourne’s fictitious world. Distrust of the government is also a big issue, and in some respects the film falters slightly by not forcing Bourne to confront his past evils and instead trying to excuse them. Bourne should remain very conflicted, but he does need to face such demons to remain interesting.

Jason Bourne makes for a third fantastic effort from Greengrass. It’s slick and smart, but never light on action. It keeps up with an insane pace that could have left many elements far behind but injecting strong music and quick editing when it needs to. Whether Bourne should continue with films that feel so similar is a question we should start asking, but after a 9 year break it felt as though an old friend had revisited us in the multiplex. Sure some things had changed, but the core remains the same. Just amazing summer action brilliance.

Jason Bourne review by Luke Ryan Baldock, July 2016.

Jason Bourne is released in cinemas from July 27th.