Jason Bourne

Matt Damon returns for the fourth time as the twenty-first century James Bond, Jason Bourne. The commercial success of the franchise demanded a return, and I will tell you, Bourne is back in a big way.

Discounting 2012’s “Bourne Legacy” which starred Jeremy Renner in the titular role, it has been nine years since the icon of modern espionage has graced us with his screen presence. The subtle master of cat and mouse has come out of hiding to find answers to his own questions in the midst of a global Wikileaks-sized security breach.

The CIA is hot on his tail, led by Tommy Lee Jones as the director of the covert agency. He is the latest in a long line of distinguished actors who have gone up against Damon in this franchise, and things haven’t gone well for any of them. Vincent Cassell also joins the cast as “The Asset”, a cold-blooded assassin with reasons of his own for hunting Bourne.

The whole gang is back together behind the scenes. Paul Greengrass directs his third entry, Tony Gilroy writes his fifth (he also directed “Legacy”), and Doug Liman is back on board as an executive producer (he directed the first film and produced the others). As you can imagine, there is a lot more of the same. The character is the draw and always will be, so we see high-tech espionage, exotic European locations, and lots of backstabbing and double dealing. Of course, Jason Bourne is above it all, outsmarting every single person on the planet. But that’s the fun, isn’t it? Seeing how he’ll get out of jam after jam.

Greengrass is a natural for this type of film, and he has a prior connection to Damon in 2010’s “Green Zone”. He was the director behind “Captain Phillips” and “United 93” both films I would highly recommend as well done bio-pics. His trademark handheld camera style can be a bit unsettling at times, particularly when there is a lot going on on-screen. That is really the only gripe I have with the direction.

Gilroy delivers a story that picks up right where the last one left off in terms of tone and pacing. Two incredible chase sequences bookend what is the most linear and simple entry in the series yet. I found the complex nature of the first three a bit frustrating when trying to enjoy the film without necessitating reflection, but this one is ripe for immediate consumption and enjoyment.

Two problems I had with the film, and neither is overtly damaging of an enjoyable viewing experience. First; Oscar-winning actress, and Hollywood’s hottest female Alicia Vikander plays the CIA Head of Cyber Surveillance, Heather Lee. Would a twenty-eight-year-old who looks like she is twenty really find herself at the top of an intelligence agency at that young of an age? It didn’t work for me, and played into the commentary and criticism that as Hollywood leading men keep aging, the leading ladies stay the same age. There is some credence to that.

The second problem I had was the need to parallel Apple’s battle with the NSA using implication that shady government is recruiting the private sector to do their dirty work with the intention of destroying privacy, all in the name of security. It’s a little too soon after the San Bernadino shooting to bring that piece of non-fiction into the narrative.

Assuming Damon is interested in taking on the role for a fifth time, you can count on another installment within the next few years. With a nearly $5 million Thursday night opening, and projected $50-60 million opening weekend, it will be a worthwhile investment for the team of Greengrass, Gilroy, and Limon as well. It is a bit redundant, but If you are looking for action, and a bit of a trip down memory lane without the multifarious names, places, and black ops files to remember, you will definitely enjoy Jason Bourne. Again. 8/10.