Jason Bourne Comeback Not a Hit? Analyzing Why the 2016 Installment Is the Weakest in the Series

After a long 9-year wait, Jason Bourne finally returns in Jason Bourne (2016), starring Matt Damon and directed by Paul Greengrass, who created the phenomenon in the second and third installments. But this time, the reception hasn't been as enthusiastic. With a TMDB score of 6.4/10, the film isn't bad, but it's not outstanding either. Today, the editorial team will explore why this installment is the 'weakest' in the series.

Plot Summary (No Spoilers)

Jason Bourne continues his nomadic life, hiding from intelligence agencies worldwide. But when Nicky Parsons (Julia Stiles), a former CIA colleague, contacts him with classified information about a new CIA project called 'Ironhand,' Bourne is drawn back into the game. He must confront Robert Dewey (Tommy Lee Jones), a cold-blooded CIA director, and 'Asset' (Vincent Cassel), a formidable assassin sent to eliminate him.

The film opens with an underground fight scene where Bourne earns money to survive, before being pulled into a larger scheme involving Aaron Kalloor (Riz Ahmed), the founder of the social media giant 'Deep Dream,' who is pressured by the CIA to allow user surveillance. The story attempts to reflect on privacy issues in the digital age, but it is overshadowed by action scenes that, while thrilling, feel familiar.

Acting and Characters

Matt Damon returns as Jason Bourne with a fitting performance, especially with eyes full of pain and determination. However, the problem is that Bourne's character in this installment has almost no development. He is merely a 'killing machine' moving toward his goal without speaking much, lacking the emotional depth seen in previous films.

Tommy Lee Jones as the CIA director is a formidable but clichéd villain. Alicia Vikander plays Heather Lee, an ambitious young officer; she performs well, but her role is used more as a plot device than a substantial character. Vincent Cassel as the silent assassin is not much different from the 'black sheep' in previous installments.

Direction, Cinematography, and Music

Paul Greengrass continues his signature shaky camera and fast editing style, making chase scenes thrilling, especially the lengthy and spectacular car chase in Las Vegas, which is a true highlight.

However, the downside is that the camera shakes too much in some scenes, causing dizziness, and the fast editing makes it hard to follow, reducing the enjoyment of close combat scenes. The score by John Powell and David Buckley still captures the mood, but it's not as outstanding as Moby's 'Extreme Ways,' the series' closing theme.

Editorial Analysis

As an action film, Jason Bourne (2016) does its job well. The action scenes are thrilling, especially the brutal and realistic apartment fight. But as a spy film that once set high standards, this installment is too 'repetitive' and 'safe.' The plot resembles a mix of The Bourne Identity and The Bourne Supremacy without anything truly new.

An interesting point is the attempt to incorporate the theme of digital privacy through Riz Ahmed's character, but it is abandoned midway and not fully developed. The film chooses to focus on action scenes over deep storytelling, disappointing fans who expected the 'soul' of Bourne.

For those who enjoy this genre without expecting complexity, they might find the film entertaining. But if you are a hardcore fan who grew up with Bourne in installments 1-3, you may feel this installment is like 'old wine in a new bottle,' lacking freshness and sharpness of thought, unlike the experience you might find at avsubthai.

Verdict

<p>Jason Bourne (2016) is an action film that is enjoyable to watch but not particularly impressive. For old fans who truly love Bourne, they may be disappointed by the weak script and repetitiveness. But if you are a general viewer looking for a thrilling action movie, this film meets the need to some extent.</p>