Director Paul Greengrass
Genre Action | Thriller
Cast Matt Damon, Tommy Lee Jones, Alicia Vikander, Vincent Cassell
Rating PG-13
Release Date July 29th, 2016
“The CIA’s most dangerous former operative is drawn out of hiding to uncover more explosive truths about his past.”
Jason Bourne is directed by Paul Greengrass and is the 5th installment in the franchise, the 4th with Matt Damon in the lead role. 2012’s The Bourne Legacy starred Jeremy Renner and also included a different director. After getting hounded by fans since 2007’s The Bourne Ultimatum, Damon and Greengrass agreed to return for another film. Jason Bourne also stars Tommy Lee Jones, Alicia Vikander, and Vincent Cassell.
Jason Bourne attempts to reignite the franchise with the return of Matt Damon and Paul Greengrass and even though it is enjoyable, the homecoming feels a bit uninspired compared to previous entries. I wanted to love Jason Bourne, I really did. On one hand the film delivered to fans the finely crafted action they have become accustomed to, but didn’t break any new ground. I am a huge Bourne fan and prior to the release of Jason Bourne I actually picked up the Blu-ray collection of the previous films. Although Matt Damon found himself in incredible shape for the film considering his seasoned age of 45, somehow his character that would usually send a chill down the spine of anyone on the other end of his crosshairs, felt like just another guy. Jason Bourne was supposed to be that much more dangerous considering the plot of the new film, but it seemed that somewhere along the line he lost his edge.
Matt Damon is an amazing actor and I have enjoyed his films for years, dating all the way back to 1997’s Good Will Hunting. We were introduced to his iconic Jason Bourne character in 2002, and Damon never looked back. He took on the Bourne role effortlessly and epitomized the badass nature we have grown to love about Jason Bourne. The lack of success with this film shouldn't fall on Damon, I personally think it was a lack of creativity. They had all of the tools to work with and instead of a fireworks display of a film, they played it safe and basically shackled an iconic character that was primed for a return. My hope is that the fire still burns for Damon after this film and he comes back better than ever. I have said it before and I will say it again, Julia Stiles is a bad actress. She just is. Yes she did well in 10 Things I Hate About You, but similar to Kristen Stewart, I am pretty sure she was more or less playing herself. Tommy Lee Jones was great as usual but man did he look old, I guess that becomes inevitable when you’re pushing 70. Keep fighting Tommy!
Jason Bourne was an entertaining film but you can’t help but compare it to prior entries and when doing so it falls short. It felt tired and sluggish compared to the high-octane thrill ride we have become accustomed to. I commend the effort by Greengrass and Damon and like many other fans out there, I am pleased they made another film. I just really wish it were better. Jason Bourne did pretty well in the box office and I have heard a few rumblings that maybe another film is in the works. If that is in fact the case, bring back the character we all know and love, please!! Perhaps my expectations were too high and maybe I just need to see it for a second time. Either way, I will give it another try once it releases on Blu-ray to make my final judgment. For a well-written action/thriller you could do worse than Jason Bourne, just be sure to keep your expectations in check.
