Jason Bourne

[Gold Samurai]

More all over the place. I just thought Supremacy and Ultimatum had amazing pacing. Ultimatum especially. It had this nonstop energy that kept revving and took you on a ride. This one not so much.

I don't think they made a bad movie. They just hit a double instead of a homerun this time.

It's tough because Greengrass' movies got better than the previous one each time. This one is a bit diminished. Also, it completely ignores the events of Bourne Legacy. On one hand I understand, on the other hand, I'm disappointed none of the significant turning points are addressed.

I thought the jumps from point A to B made sense

Spoiler

Nicky's death was forgettable.

The "Asset" being responsible for Jason Bourne's father's death was a bit of a stretch

Vikander's character pulling a double agent came out of nowhere at the end

-First she wanted Bourne

-Then she believed he could be turned and worked with him

-Then she's revealed to be an opportunist who wanted a director position


I understood Tommy Lee Jones motivations more than hers

He didn't think Bourne could be turned and then set up Vikander's character to fall on her face in London

BTW it's getting to be a cliche to have an older figure pulling the strings

First we had Brian Cox

Then Albert Finney

Now Tommy Lee Jones

The deep dream subplot with Tommy Lee Jones wanting that CEO's tech didn't quite fit.

Sure Tommy Lee Jones wanted complete pinpoint searching of people but why did that CEO all of a sudden want to expose Tommy Lee Jones?

Was it because the CEO didn't want to work with the Ironhead project?



Also at what point in the film did we learn about this "Malcolm Smith who used to work with the agency but now lives in London" ?

I must have missed that part

I did understand the movie btw

Spoiler

Nikki uncovers a new program called "Ironhead"

she tries to relay this information to Bourne in Greece

She gets killed by an asset sent to eliminate both Nickki and Bourne

Vikander's character reads up on Bourne and believes he can be turned back into the program. She proposes going after him

Bourne uses clues from Nikki to go to Berlin and read what she found

Bourne then goes to London to speak with Malcolm Smith who used to work with the agency

Vikander's character tells Bourne there's a meeting in Vegas between a CEO of Deep Dream surveillance and Tommy Lee Jones Character Robert Dewey

Robert Dewey wants the CEO and Vikander dead.

 

[Web-Head]

I just got back and I enjoyed it. Probably not as good as the original 3, but still pretty good. I thought it really picked up once they got to Las Vegas.

 

[TheVileOne]

I thought the jumps from point A to B made sense

Spoiler

Nicky's death was forgettable.

The "Asset" being responsible for Jason Bourne's father's death was a bit of a stretch

Vikander's character pulling a double agent came out of nowhere at the end

-First she wanted Bourne

-Then she believed he could be turned and worked with him

-Then she's revealed to be an opportunist who wanted a director position


I understood Tommy Lee Jones motivations more than hers

He didn't think Bourne could be turned and then set up Vikander's character to fall on her face in London

BTW it's getting to be a cliche to have an older figure pulling the strings

First we had Brian Cox

Then Albert Finney

Now Tommy Lee Jones

The deep dream subplot with Tommy Lee Jones wanting that CEO's tech didn't quite fit.

Sure Tommy Lee Jones wanted complete pinpoint searching of people but why did that CEO all of a sudden want to expose Tommy Lee Jones?

Was it because the CEO didn't want to work with the Ironhead project?



Also at what point in the film did we learn about this "Malcolm Smith who used to work with the agency but now lives in London" ?

I must have missed that part

I did understand the movie btw

Spoiler

Nikki uncovers a new program called "Ironhead"

she tries to relay this information to Bourne in Greece

She gets killed by an asset sent to eliminate both Nickki and Bourne

Vikander's character reads up on Bourne and believes he can be turned back into the program. She proposes going after him

Bourne uses clues from Nikki to go to Berlin and read what she found

Bourne then goes to London to speak with Malcolm Smith who used to work with the agency

Vikander's character tells Bourne there's a meeting in Vegas between a CEO of Deep Dream surveillance and Tommy Lee Jones Character Robert Dewey

Robert Dewey wants the CEO and Vikander dead.

Spoiler

The Deep Dream stuff was a flimsy subplot at best. The impression I was under was that Erin Khaloor had a change of heart after the information hack. Instead of agreeing to Dewey's demands, he was going to expose their whole operation. Then Khaloor's right hand aide ended up squealing to Dewey. That was never resolved either.

 

[kguillou]

I dunno, guys, I REALLY enjoyed this movie. It felt so good to have Damon and Greengrass back, it felt like revisiting an old friend. This movie, boy I tell you, from the MOMENT the Universal logo disappears, from frame one, the film just steps on the gas and doesn't stop until the final scene. This film moves at a VERY swift pace. Usually with these Spy Thrillers, there's always those lulls, those long scenes of quiet exposition that slow the movie's pace down and can sometimes get boring or complicate the plot (Casino Royale, for example, love that movie but DAMN does it draaaaag in that middle portion of the film). Not this one. They get right into it right away, the plot is simple and easy to follow which I really appreciate (let's be honest, these types of films can get lost in their own convoluted-ness sometimes) and keeps the tension going and doesn't let up. Only Paul Greengrass can make a scene of someone typing at a computer intense.

I dunno, I SUPPOSE I see some of the things that maybe irked critics, Alicia Vikander's character motivations kind of flip flop, but it didn't bother me too much, I was grooving with this film and it had my full attention all the way through. A big part of that is thanks to John Powell's incredibly tense and pulse pounding score throughout. There's some good chase scenes, that Las Vegas car chase set piece is very well done and we get a good mano-y-mano showdown between Damon and the Asset and the film's plot makes that fight personal for once.

Sure they tread some familiar ground but it didn't feel like "been there, done that." It still felt fresh. Maybe its because my expectations were lowered after hearing so many lukewarm things about this movie. It's kind of like when I went to go see X-Men Apocalypse, I kept waiting for the movie to fall apart while I was watching it because of all the negative reviews and reaction, but I ended up loving that film too and it never fell apart for me. The same here. This film is just too well made, I really don't get the vitriol its getting.

Good actors, good characters, straightforward swift plot, great action, great tension, pulse pounding score, Greengrass, Damon....it all worked for me.

8-8.5/10

Spoiler

Also, I'll go and say it, I thought this film;s ending was more satisfying that Ultimatum. Ultimatum had SUCH an abrupt ending, it didn't feel like we got proper closure. This ending, with Bourne sending that "message" to Alicia Vikander's character, pretty much saying "dont try to **** with me, I will ALWAYS be two steps ahead of you. Leave me be." If this is the last film, this is a much more satisfying note than Bourne just swimming away.

 

[aNarcHy2day]

So, the movie doesn't hit theaters here till next week when I probably will watch it. Though I have to ask, this was my opinion way back when the then "universally acclaimed" Superbowl teaser hit...

Before people shout me out of the thread, I will totally concede that it's WAYYY too early to give any negative opinion about this.

But I just have to say it seems like a more generic action flick a la Mission Impossible. For me, there has always been a theme of the Bourne franchise (Not counting Legacy- I don't even remember that) where he is looking for his, well, identity. This made the franchise unique for me as compared to other similar spy franchises. That's the element I'm missing from that teaser and probably feel they are moving away from that.

Again, I could be gloriously wrong about everything- it's just my honest first opinion.

Would that be an accurate expectation?

 

[Mysteryman]

I dunno, guys, I REALLY enjoyed this movie. It felt so good to have Damon and Greengrass back, it felt like revisiting an old friend. This movie, boy I tell you, from the MOMENT the Universal logo disappears, from frame one, the film just steps on the gas and doesn't stop until the final scene. This film moves at a VERY swift pace. Usually with these Spy Thrillers, there's always those lulls, those long scenes of quiet exposition that slow the movie's pace down and can sometimes get boring or complicate the plot. Not this one. They get right into it right away, the plot is simple and easy to follow which I really appreciate (let's be honest, these types of films can get lost in their own convoluted-ness sometimes) and keeps the tension going and doesn't let up. Only Paul Greengrass can make a scene of someone typing at a computer intense.

I dunno, I SUPPOSE I see some of the things that maybe irked critics, Alicia Vikander's character motivations kind of flip flop, but it didn't bother me too much, I was grooving with this film and it had my full attention all the way through. A big part of that is thanks to John Powell's incredibly tense and pulse pounding score throughout. There's some good chase scenes, that Las Vegas car chase set piece is very well done and we get a good mano-y-mano showdown between Damon and the Asset and the film's plot makes that fight personal for once.

Sure they tread some familiar ground but it didn't feel like "been there, done that." It still felt fresh. Maybe its because my expectations were lowered after hearing so many lukewarm things about this movie. It's kind of like when I went to go see X-Men Apocalypse, I kept waiting for the movie to fall apart while I was watching it because of all the negative reviews and reaction, but I ended up loving that film too and it never fell apart for me. The same here. This film is just too well made, I really don't get the vitriol its getting.

Good actors, good characters, straightforward swift plot, great action, great tension, pulse pounding score, Greengrass, Damon....it all worked for me.

8-8.5/10

Spoiler

Also, I'll go and say it, I thought this film;s ending was more satisfying that Ultimatum. Ultimatum had SUCH an abrupt ending, it didn't feel like we got proper closure. This ending, with Bourne sending that "message" to Alicia Vikander's character, pretty much saying "dont try to **** with me, I will ALWAYS be two steps ahead of you. Leave me be." If this is the last film, this is a much more satisfying note than Bourne just swimming away.

This review gives me hope.
I am going to see this film very early tomorrow morning so I can come home and watch Ultimatum on HBO.
After this review, I am excited that I could potentially have a great time.

 

[Filmfan93]

I am seeing this bad boy today. I don't care about the critics. All I want is Damon + Greengrass awesomeness. I will be happy if the film offers more of the same, even if it doesn't introduce anything new to the table.

 

[slimshady247]

It's definitely still a very enjoyable film, it just has its issues that keep it from being quite as potent as the OT.

 

[Mysteryman]

I am seeing this bad boy today. I don't care about the critics. All I want is Damon + Greengrass awesomeness. I will be happy if the film offers more of the same, even if it doesn't introduce anything new to the table.

That's the spirit!
I will be seeing JB today swell.
Pretty soon in fact.
I am going to a 9:20 show.

 

[kguillou]

Enjoy, Mysteryman! You will enjoy it. It's a kick ass film.

 

[Web-Head]

I will say that my dad, who's a huge fan of the franchise, was a little disappointed... But he still liked it.

 

[Lobo]

I enjoyed the movie, but not quite as much as the trilogy which I thought was more or less perfect. I'd have liked them to talk about Pamela Landy, and I don't like that they ignored Legacy, something should have been mentioned IMO. The closest we got was seeing Outcome on the computer screen. loved the chase scene, though.

 

[Loki882]

Spoiler

I'm getting a little tired of "older corrupt/evil government guys" as the main villain as well. Chris Cooper, Brian Cox, David Strathairn, TLJ (I was REALLY hoping that he wouldn't turn out to be that way, but alas.

 

[MadVillainy]

I've actually never seen Bourne Identity, it was on my Instant Queue for a while but it left and I just never get around to it. In addition I think I've seen Supremacy, Ultimatum only one time each.

Anyway, I'd be lying if I wasn't feeling kind of bored, but overall it was fine.

I think this does really play out like "Been there done that...hell done that better". It's been the same movie from Supremacy to Legacy it feels like.

Damon is still fine as Bourne, but other than that the performances were meh. Vikander was so dull (although her storyline was interesting near the very end...literally the very end), Tommy Lee Jones was ok, and hats off too Vincent Cassel.

THe action was meh. The final fight was great but other than that nothing impressed or even interested me that much. The car chase was cool, but again I saw them done better in Supremacy and Ultimatum

The actual storyline...been there done that. The random storyline featuring Riz Ahmed was odd. And [BLACKOUT]Nicky's[/BLACKOUT] death was so stupid. I hate when movies kill off a character in order to make things meaningful, but then in the end theyre barely mentioned so it's like it never happened. I know Bourne isnt a "and this is for ____ *punch*" type guy but by the end the death felt so forgotten that it comes off as unnecessary.

If youre a fan of the original 3, I dont see why you wont at least like watching this. But if they want this to continue you need to up the ante. Look at the Mission Impossible movies. They're basically the same thing almost every damn movie. But because they introduce new interesting characters, make the stunts even crazier, or just improve things in general, it doesnt feel stale

 

[Loki882]

Well that one plot point is even worse because it's recycled from another Greengrass Bourne film, and really blatantly so. Only it has far less weight to it here and is just a waste of potential.

 

[MadVillainy]

Well that one plot point is even worse because it's recycled from another Greengrass Bourne film, and really blatantly so. Only it has far less weight to it here and is just a waste of potential.

Do you mean Supremacy when in the beginning the girl from the previous killed?

 

[Filmfan93]

Just got back from the cinema. As expected, I loved it! I am a big fan of the films and this was everything I wanted from another Bourne film. I am very happy with it.

Liked Alicia's character and Cassel's asset was the best so far in the series. The plot was nice and the "bad guys" were basically a rehash of the previous films, but I loved it. All I wanted was another spy thriller with cool chases and suspense added and the film delivered it for me. Besides, Damon still defines the role and he was basically Bourne for it (hehe). He kicked $$$$ again, despite his age.

But what I loved the most is the Vegas sewer fight. The thing I love the most from the Bourne series is the hand-to-hand combats and I was impatiently waiting for another intense fight without music here and boy, did I get it! Wish it was longer, though.

The only time I felt the shaky cam was during the Vegas car chase, but nothing too distracting, in my opinion.

Overall, I loved it and give it 8/10. I would rank it on par with Ultimatum as the top ones from the series. Then comes Supremacy, Identity and Legacy as the last.

P.S I really disagree with critics on certain films this year.

 

[kguillou]

Just got back from the cinema. As expected, I loved it! I am a big fan of the films and this was everything I wanted from another Bourne film. I am very happy with it.

Liked Alicia's character and Cassel's asset was the best so far in the series. The plot was nice and the "bad guys" were basically a rehash of the previous films, but I loved it. All I wanted was another spy thriller with cool chases and suspense added and the film delivered it for me. Besides, Damon still defines the role and he was basically Bourne for it (hehe). He kicked $$$$ again, despite his age.

But what I loved the most is the Vegas sewer fight. The thing I love the most from the Bourne series is the hand-to-hand combats and I was impatiently waiting for another intense fight without music here and boy, did I get it! Wish it was longer, though.

The only time I felt the shaky cam was during the Vegas car chase, but nothing too distracting, in my opinion.

Overall, I loved it and give it 8/10. I would rank it on par with Ultimatum as the top ones from the series. Then comes Supremacy, Identity and Legacy as the last.

P.S I really disagree with critics on certain films this year.

Right there with ya, dude. The Bourne films have always had well choreographed, brutal fight scenes. The sewer fight between Bourne and the Asset was very well done and satisfying.

I'm sorry to hear more people aren't into this movie. I totally acknowledge that it doesnt quite rise to Supremacy levels of excellence but man, to me, this was still a high caliber action thriller that put Legacy to shame. I was just really grooving with the rhythm and vibe of the movie. The pacing, the music, the tension the badassery, I dunno, it connected with me and it was what I wanted out of a Matt Damon Bourne follow up. I can't wait to watch this back to back to back with the other three movies on home video.

 

[Filmfan93]

Right there with ya, dude. The Bourne films have always had well choreographed, brutal fight scenes. The sewer fight between Bourne and the Asset was very well done and satisfying.

I'm sorry to hear more people aren't into this movie. I totally acknowledge that it doesnt quite rise to Supremacy levels of excellence but man, to me, this was still a high caliber action thriller that put Legacy to shame. I was just really grooving with the rhythm and vibe of the movie. The pacing the music, the tension the badassery, I dunno, it connected with me and it was what I wanted our of a Matt Damon Bourne follow up.

I couldn't have said it better myself. You described all the aspects I love about the Bourne films and this one was a just a pleasant return to the old atmosphere and tone of the trilogy. Really wish it had a higher rating on RT, though.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

I felt the film was only slightly above average. The story was average, the reveals were cliched and the action wasn't even that good this time. It's a sequel that goes through the motions and seems like it was only made for money reasons and to talk about the issues surrounding Snowden. It's way better than the epic ****show Legacy but that's damning it with faint praise, no?

Rating: 6/10

 

[TheVileOne]

But I mean the Snowden thing. Snowden became a whistle blower, and now he's the one seen as a traitor and criminal. He had to seek asylum in Russia to avoid incarceration.

And at the end of the day, no one really cared about the Snowden leaks. No one was really punished for it.

So this movie's big thing is that some information was exposed that "Uh oh the government is checking all our web searches and stuff." Well I mean...didn't Snowden already reveal that? And again, I mean no one cared. Why would they care about this? Also Bourne's not really out to get revenge on CIA for illegally wire-tapping everyone. He doesn't seem to really care about that. I think Paul Greengrass and Matt Damon might, but I think they had trouble rectifying this in the plot.

 

[DOBSON10]

I thought it was a pretty good movie, entertaining throughout. Not as good as the Trilogy but those are hard to keep up with, some of my favorite movies ever. Yeah, it's a bit of a re-hashed theme, the main plot feels like something they dreamed up just to make another movie and give Bourne a reason to come out of hiding, but it wasn't bad, just nothing spectacular.

It's a bit of a watered down version of the Trilogy but that's still better than most movies. Truth is once Bourne got his memories back (for the most part) it was never going to be the same, that element of the movie was a big part of the draw for me and I would guess alot of people who loved the first 3 movies.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

But I mean the Snowden thing. Snowden became a whistle blower, and now he's the one seen as a traitor and criminal. He had to seek asylum in Russia to avoid incarceration.

And at the end of the day, no one really cared about the Snowden leaks. No one was really punished for it.

So this movie's big thing is that some information was exposed that "Uh oh the government is checking all our web searches and stuff." Well I mean...didn't Snowden already reveal that? And again, I mean no one cared. Why would they care about this? Also Bourne's not really out to get revenge on CIA for illegally wire-tapping everyone. He doesn't seem to really care about that. I think Paul Greengrass and Matt Damon might, but I think they had trouble rectifying this in the plot.

Excellent points. The film's story just doesn't work and you don't even have to dig deep to see why.

 

[MadVillainy]

I wish Julia Stiles was still in movies or at least in a great TV show

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

Don't even get me started on the Nicky situation...