2016 movies

Movie Review: HOWELL, 4min, UK, Horror/Comedy (2016)

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MOVIE POSTERHOWELL, 4min, UK, Horror/Comedy
Directed by Leon Williams

Howell is attending a supporters group meeting, along with others that share his condition. He has many issues…but he is trying his best to find himself.

Seen at the July 2016 Under 5min. FEEDBACK Film Festival in Toronto.

Movie Review by Kierston Drier

Howl directed by Leon David Williams and starring Leo Bane, is a curious film that straddles the lines of satire and dry comedy. It seems to focus on what appears to be a support group for an unknown affliction. With emphasis on assimilating into normal life leads the viewer to believe that the protagonist is returning from a seedy previous life. The comedy arises in the escalation of strange things our hero fixates on to identify with his new normalcy- such as playing frisbee with his best friend, and culminating in a hilarious scene where he has dinner with his girlfriend and Ex at the same time- and the Ex appears to be a small domesticated dog.

The answer, of course, is that our Hero is a reformed Warewolf. A viewer may be able to grab that reveal from a curious flashback that occurs early in the film. However our hero’s visits to group and his montage of activities showcase his success with integrating his dog-human dichotomy.  If the viewer grabs onto this knowledge early on the end could be lack luster. Yet the humor is palpable, although possibly less apparent to a North American audience acclimatized to a less dry style of humor.  While this reviewer picked up early the secret of our half-Canine hero, it is certainly not a mark against the filmmaker. It could very well be the intent of Williams to have this secret become clear to the audience, so that they can better enjoy the schict of the piece.

Howl, because of its stylistic choices, may not be a film that will have everyone in the audience laughing. But if you appreciate this type of humor, it’s an enjoyable film. It offers laughs, comic spectacle and the ever-important howl at the full moon.

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Movie Review: LOREN THE ROBOT BUTLER: TEACH ME HOW TO DOUGIE! (2016)

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festival posterLOREN THE ROBOT BUTLER: TEACH ME HOW TO DOUGIE!

Seen at the July 2016 Under 5min. FEEDBACK Film Festival in Toronto.

Directed by Paul McGinnis

Loren, a proper British robot and formally the head butler for a very wealthy family, has been replaced with a Roomba and stored in the basement. Now the kids program him to teach them stuff.

Movie Review by Kierston Drier

Light, bright and whimsical, Loren The Robot Butler, written, directed and creatively lead by  Paul McGinnis, entices the inner child of us all. The film’s premise is established in just a few quick moments, and with the help of a charming opening tune, explaining that an outdated robotic butler sits unused in a family’s basement, and spends his retired life teaching children. Perpetually upbeat and sporting the quintessential British Accent, our friendly butler protagonist speaks directly to the audience as though they are the very children of the household where he is kept. At the children’s request, he takes on the mission to teach them how to “Dougie”, from the well known 80’s rapper Doug E. Fresh.

The humor comes easily on several level- most liminally, from the contrast of a British robot butler, attempting to recreate hip-hop music. The upper-crust British sound and robotic movement parodying the relaxed sway of the music beat and hip-hop/rap dialect. Further, there is humor in the form of breaking of the fourth wall with the audience, and from the shock that our robot friend not only executes the dance- but does so exceptionally well!

This piece is a delightful romp through the whimsical world of song and dance as seen through the eyes of a child, but there is a level deeper. It does speak to the element of old technology trying to keep up with the new, modern and current.

The most astonishing, staggering and interesting part of Loren The Robot Butler, however, is not it’s comedy or its use of social commentary. It is it’s artistry. At first glance, this piece could be mistaken as a completely CGI 3D animation. In reality, the entire piece is performed by three puppeteers, manning the upper bottle and each leg independently. The amazing truth is, this exceptionally complicated dance move is performed in perfect execution by highly trained professionals  (Lead by McGinnis) manning one doll behind a green screen, resulting in seamless and flawless dance that passes as computer generated. This is a feat of puppeteer mastery and specialized skill rarely seen in Cinema since Dark Crystal, (Let’s not talk about Team America) and at the very least should be applauded.

Whether Lorne The Robot Butler  is a proof of concept for a delightful children’s TV show, or a demo reel for some exceptional puppeteers, it is regardless a lovely, light comedy sure to entertain.

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HELL OR HIGH WATER (USA 2016) ****

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hell_of_high_water.jpgHELL OR HIGH WATER (USA 2016) ****
Directed by David MacKenzie

Starring: Dale Dickey, Ben Foster, Chris Pine

Review by Gilbert Seah

The term HELL OR HIGH WATER is the phrase used in contracts that demand payment regardless. It is also the title of the new film directed by David MacKenzie (ASYLUM and his last excellent film STARRED UP) and brilliantly written by Taylor Sheridan (SICARIO), the script of which won the 2012 Black List of Screenplays.

The film begins with an exciting bank robbery. The bank is robbed by two brothers, Toby (Chris Pine) and the recently out-of-jail Tanner (Ben Foster). It is a case of Good Crook, Bad Crook variation of Good Cop, Bad Cop. Toby, the good crook needs the money for payments on the house his children has inherited from his recently deceased mother. Toby is separated from his wife and children. The payments must be made HELL OR HIGH WATER or Toby will lose much, much more as the property is spouting oil.

The film does not have one main protagonist but three. Toby appears to be the main one, but his volatile brother and the retiring sheriff after them are also given due attention. Sheriff Marcus (Jeff Bridges) is the most interesting of the three, a wise-cracking, gruff and smart veteran who constantly cracks racist jokes at his indian deputy Alberto (Gil Birmingham). The film could very well be another version of the Lone Ranger and Tonto.

The film is well performed by everyone especially Bridges who turns out an Oscar Winning performance. His mannerisms and drawl fit perfectly his character of an aging, fed-up law enforcer. Chris Pine proves he can do more than Captain Kirk in STAR TREK.

MacKenzie knows how to create excitement. The camera is placed, for example in the getaway car, all jittery but capturing the desperation of escaping the cops. The shootout scene at the end of the film is also meticulously staged. The film also contains a superb climax – a verbal showdown between Toby and Marcus. The music by Australian actor, singer song-writer Nick Cave is a pleasure, also adding atmosphere and mood to the film. The film is interspersed with his songs.

The film was originally titled Comancheria. The reason can be seen in one of the film’s best written and key scene when Tanner confronts a comanche in a casino. Comanche means ‘enemy of everyone’, the comanche tells Tanner. “Then I am one,” he retorts. “An enemy?” asks the comanche angrily. “No, a comanche.” The description of Tanner’s character is spot on, Tanner being a volatile man who cannot get along with anyone, less his brother and has been in prison in and out a couple of times. Another scene, which is so funny that has to be seen to be believed is the age old waitress who serves the sheriff and his deputy in a restaurant asking, “What can’t I get you?” The film and script is full of inventive surprises and smart humour, which adds on to the plot.

The story also bears a truth about human beings. If you ask most people what the main goal or aim in life of a man is, the ultimate answer is to see their children do at least as well or better than them. For Toby, whose only expert advice he can give his son is: “Do not be like me,” the one way he can be a good father and satisfy his goal in life is to provide for his two sons by making final payment on the house before disclosure by the bank.

Director MacKenzie has made an excellent film on a well written script with prized dialogue. It is good to see that he could do the same for a script without dialogue as in the case of his last film, STARRED UP, where the dialogue in heavy accent need not be understood for the film to be appreciated.

HELL OR HIGH WATER premiered at Cannes at Un Certain Regard. It is an excellent entertaining and rewarding film hat comes highly recommended. And the film gets my vote for Best Original Script this year.

LITTLE MEN (USA 2016) ***1/2 Directed by Ira Sachs

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little_menLITTLE MEN (USA 2016) ***1/2
Directed by Ira Sachs

Starring: Greg Kinnear, Jennifer Ehle, Paulina García, Alfred Molina

Review by Gilbert Seah

As Jesus said in the Bible, “And a child will lead them.” In the case of Ira Sach’s occasionally brilliant new film LITTLE MEN, pre-teens lead the way for the adults that have gone astray.

The film begins with the death of 13-year old Jake’s (Theo Taplitz) grandfather. Jake’s dad, Brian (Greg Kinnear) inherits the grandfather’s building and move in. Below is a store that the grandfather leases to a seamstress, Leonor (Paulina Garcia) and her son, Tony (Michael Barbieri). Trouble arises when Brian needs to raise the rent money as he is short of income. Leonor is unable to pay. A bad state of affairs result when Brian evicts Leonor.

Though premiering at the Toronto Inside Out LGBT film festival, there is no explicit gay theme on display in the film. The friendship that develops between the two boys hints that one might be gay (the other pines over a girl in he neighbourhood), but still one can never be sure. The hint arrives when Jake’s mind immediately rushes to think of Tony when asked to write a poem above love in his English class. No use in labelling. No matter whether one of the boys is gay or not, it is of no importance. Sach’s little film astounds in many avenues, particularly in the subtlety department. But the bond that exists between the two boys is nothing short of wonderful. They stand up for each other. Tony gets beaten up in school for Jake. Both boys refuse to talk to their parents when they learn that their parents are not getting along.

The film is seen mostly from the points of view of the two boys, which makes the film more interesting.

The script has two characters, Brian’s sister and Brian’s wife which could easily have been moulded into one character. They collectively could serve the same function as one person.

When Brian finally confesses the problem to his son Jake, Jake offers a solution so simple that the adage “and a child will lead them” comes to mind.

Films about kids often have them speak in adult dialogue that would unlikely come from them. This occurs regularly in many of Neil Simon’s plays, Woody Allen films and also in this film. But here at least, the boys still behave like boys. They play video games, ignore their parents, get into trouble (and fights) in school while growing up and learning about life. The great thing about all this is that they teach their parents a thing or two on the way.

Sach’s film succeeds tremendously from the performances of it two young actors. They are able to elicit sympathy and humour, strength and vulnerability in their characters. One of the best performances occurs in the segment in a training dialogue between Tony and his acting coach in his new school.

The film contains a non-Hollywood but rather clever under-stated ending. LITTLE MEN is a good example of how brilliant a little film with a good script and direction can turn out.

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GLEASON (USA 2016) *** Directed by Clay Tweel

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gleasonGLEASON (USA 2016) ***
Directed by Clay Tweel

Starring: Steve Gleason, Mike Gleason, Scott Fujita

Review by Gilbert Seah

Clay Tweel’s GLEASON is a documentary that chronicles the journey of former New Orleans Saints football star Steve Gleason after being diagnosed with ALS at age 34. The doc was assembled from footage taken by Steve’s family, friends and caregivers.

Gleason became a local hero after he blocked a punt during the team’s first game at the Superdome following Hurricane Katrina – a play that resulted in a touchdown for the Saints and became a symbol of recovery for the city. He retired in 2008 and married New Orleans artist Michel Varisco. Three years later, the ALS news came, just as they discovered that Michel was expecting their first child. Given two to five years to live, he begins recording a video diary for his son.

GLEASON is not the first film made about football injuries. The 2012 Steve James documentary HEAD GAMES told Chris Nowinski’s story based on Nowinski’s 2006 book by the same name. Nowinski suffered multiple concussions during his career as a football player and professional wrestler, and he has been diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome. Nowinski has dedicated his life to advocating and researching brain trauma. It is no coincidence that Nowinski’s work has coincided with the plethora of lawsuits filed by former players alleging the NFL hid information regarding brain trauma.

GLEASON touches the subject of the course of his ALS and hints that it was likely due to football. But nothing more is said of the subject. One can only guess that Gleason’s father and him had put in more effort to possible faith healing than to go after the culprits.

The two most almost unwatchable scenes, involve him having to take a shit, aided by his loved ons and caregiver and an argument with him and his father. The father argues that if his son, Steve does not believe in faith healing, he will not be saved, while Steve cries his heart out that he truly believes he is saved regardless. Other ones like Steve’s venting on life or his difficulty in breathing are necessary.

But the hero in all this, apart from Steve Gleason achieving Obama’s bill on providing speech machines to ALs patients is his wife, Michel. Caring for both their son and Steve at the same time requires the patience of an angel. The most effective scene in the film is the one where the two lie in bed next to each other. Steve is complaining that she ignores him. But the audience can see that she is just tired and wants to be left alone and Steve will not let her. Her tireless patience is nothing short of angelic.

The film features two celebrities, the lead guitarist of Gleason favourite and, Pearl Jam and a glimpse of physicist Stephen Hawking, another victim of ALs.

As described as a warts and all documentary on Gleason’s life, the film concentrates more on the warts. GLEASON is a brutal watch with many segments almost unbearable.

GLEASON has won many praises including the Audience Award at SXSW 2016. It is the honesty of Gleason’s misery that have captivated the hearts of audiences.

 

 

 

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Film Review: SUICIDE SQUAD (USA 2016)

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suicide_squad.jpgSUICIDE SQUAD (USA 2016) *
Directed by David Ayer

Starring: Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie

Review by Gilbert Seah

SUICIDE SQUAD is the third D.C. comics extended universe film, following the awful BATMAN V. SUPERMAN that barely made its money back from its costly production. SUICIDE SQUAD has so far received awful reviews, including this one from your humble reviewer. It has also been reported that Suicide Squad fans have petitioned to shut down Rotten Tomatoes after negative reviews.

The film has been reported to be rushed out to meet time schedules with lots of editing and rushed scripting by David Ayer (FURY). It shows!

The Suicide Squad initiative functions as an unorthodox work release program. The modern incarnation, the Suicide Squad, is an antihero “strike team” of incarcerated, death row supervillains. Acting as deniable, covert assets of the United States government, it undertakes high-risk, black-ops missions in exchange for commuted prison sentences. The group operates out of Belle Reve Penitentiary under the directorship of Amanda Waller (played with dead seriousness by Viola Davis).

The members of the squad in this film is taken from different the different volumes of the comic books. In the aftermath of Superman’s death in BATMAN V. SUPERMAN, intelligence operative Amanda Waller assembles a team of dangerous criminals – the deranged Harleen Quinzel (Margot Robbie), also known as “Harley Quinn”; elite hitman Floyd Lawton (Will Smith getting star billing), who longs to be reunited with his daughter Zoey; pyrokinetic ex-gangster Chato Santana (Jay Fernandez), who refuses to fight after accidentally killing his wife and children and opportunistic thief Digger Harkness (Jai Courtney) who is supposed to use his boomerang among others. Each member is introduced at the start of the film with a famous tine. Harleen is introduced with the song “Super Freak”; Lawton with “Spirit in the Sky” etc. The Suicide Squad are offered reduced sentences in exchange for their services and implanted with nanobombs so Waller can terminate them should they go rogue. Flag (Joel Kinnaman) leads the squad under instruction from Waller.

Though billed as a comedy action film, the film’s comedy lie mainly in the one-liners. THE SUICIDE SQUAD’s comedy is similar to that of GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY. Margot Robbie and Oscar Winner Jared Leto (as the Joker) steal the movie. Leto is plain creepy delivering a performance of equal stature to Heath Ledger’s.

One of Waller’s recruits is Flag’s girlfriend, Dr. June Moone, an archaeologist who has become possessed by a malevolent spirit witch known as “The Enchantress” after touching a cursed idol. She and her brother form the villains of the film that have to be taken out by the squad in an extended action sequence in which a barely recognizable downtown Toronto (where the film is shot) is destroyed. (Dundas Square can still be recognized at least.)

Beware. Characters that die midway in the film can suddenly appear live and well in later parts of the film. There is a 2-minute meeting between Waller and Bruce Wayne (Ben Effleck) midway during the end credits, indicating that it might serve as an entry point to a sequel.

Like BATMAN V. SUPERMAN, SUICIDE SQUAD is plain awful. The 2 films contain the similar traits of being incoherent and a complete mess. If there are 10 D.C. comics films slated till 2020, heaven help the D.C. Universe!

Film Review: OPERATION CHROMITE (South Korea 2016)

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operation_chromite.jpgOPERATION CHROMITE (South Korea 2016) **
Directed by Lee Jae-han (John H. Lee)

Starring: Liam Neeson, Sean Dulake, Jung-jae Lee

Review by Gilbert Seah

In order to appreciate the film, a bit of Korean/American history is required. The first is a knowledge of the Battle of Inchon.

The Battle of Inchon was an amphibious invasion and battle of the Korean War that resulted in a decisive victory and strategic reversal in favour of the United Nations. The operation involved some 75,000 troops and 261 naval vessels, and led to the recapture of the South Korean capital of Seoul two weeks later. The code name for the operation was OPERATION CHROMITE, the title of this film. Though not seen in the film, the epic battle began on 15 September 1950 and ended on 19 September.

The battle ended a string of victories by the invading North Korean People’s Army (NKPA). The United Nations and South Korean forces were commanded by General of the Army Douglas MacArthur (Liam Neeson) of the United States Army. MacArthur was the driving force (heavily emphasized in the film) behind the operation, overcoming the strong misgivings of more cautious generals to a risky assault over extremely unfavorable terrain.

The plot of the film has General Douglas MacArthur and 8 South Korean troop members led by a South Korean Navy Lieutenant (Lee Jung-Jae) carry out a covert “X-ray” operation. The “X-ray” must succeed in order to carry out “Inchon” Landing Operation. The film concentrates of the X-ray operation and not the Battle of Inchon.

Nothing much is said of this covet X-ray operation in the history books, so a lot of the action going on in the film is likely made-up by the script which takes liberties to create a big budget action film. Extra sentiment is provided whenever possible for example in one scene, by one of the soldiers in the X-Ray operation meeting up with his wife and baby son. General MacArthur also adds his spill on how it is to grow old and hold on to ones principles.

The action segments (chases through the city amidst machine gun fire) are exciting enough but they tend to undermine the reality of a film based on historical events. The segment set on the eve of September 15 to secure a lighthouse, however, is clumsily done as it is hard to see what is going on in the dark of night.

OPERATION CHROMITE is more an action movie than a film based on historical events. The background of the film is the history lesson. Other than that, the group of men that have gone on fighting to make the Battle of Inchon and their exploits are hardly plausible. A parallel can be drawn of the about to be released ANTHROPOID on the real assassination of Rienhard Heydrich.

North Korea would be flabbergasted with premise, story and delivery of this South Korean propaganda piece. The film has already broken South Korean box-office records with an opening weekend box-office gross of $18.5 million on its $15 million production. South Koreans love the film. But the North Korean state-run outlet Uriminzokkiri called the film a product of “ridiculous bravado from ignorant lunatics”.

That said, OPERATION CHROMITE is a pretty bad war film. But for less discerning moviegoers who like that action heroes to be true to life, this film will be a hit, as already proven by the film’s box-office success.

INDIGNATION (USA 2015) ***** TOP 10

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indignation.jpg

INDIGNATION (USA 2015) ***** TOP 10
Directed by James Schamus

Starring: Logan Lerman, Sarah Gadon, Tracy Letts

Review by Gilbert Seah

INDIGNATION is the first feature of James Schamus, founder of Good Machine production company, and the CEO of Focus Features. He has championed classics like CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON, FAR FROM HEAVEN and BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN. The film is based on Philip Roth’s novel of the same name, a powerful one based on the writer’s college days.

The plot of the film is simple. But the pleasure of the film is not in the plot but in the writing. Based on the Philip Roth novel, excellence can only be expected. A working class Jewish student, Marcus (Logan Lerman), leaves Newark, New Jersey to attend a small college in Ohio. There, he experiences a sexual awakening after meeting the elegant and wealthy Olivia (Sarah Gadon). Later he ends up confronting the school’s dean (Tracy Letts) over the role of religion in academic life.

Director Schmaus also adds his artistic touch. He frames the story with the killing of a soldier during the Korean War. (Roth served two years in the U.S. Army.)

Though the year is not mentioned, the film later reveals the time period through the college banner of ‘Class of 55’ when Marcus enrols on the college. As most of the film are interior shots, he places his camera often stationary, concentrating on the performances on his actors, with close ups and pullbacks.

SPOILERS: In the Philip Roth novel it is explained early in the book that Marcus is dead and telling his story from the afterlife. In the beginning of the film an American soldier is shot dead in the Korean war. The next scene has Marcus attending a funeral of a friend. The audience assumes that the dead soldier is Marcus’ friend. It is only at the end of the film that it becomes clear that the dead soldier was not Marcus’ friend but Marcus himself. Director Schamus achieved this rather brilliantly conceived trick cinematically. The audience had not seen Marcus’ face yet so the assumption is that of any soldier. At the film’s end, Marcus’ face is very familiar so the association become complete. Also the wallpaper in Olivia’s mental home of the vase with flowers is cinematic as the effect of the wallpaper (as seen by an audience) cannot have the same effect as the reading of the book.

The script by Schmaus changes the novel a bit. In the novel, Hawes D. Caudwell, the college’s dean (Tracy Letts) suspends Marcus after he refuses to attend double the chapel services (mandatory in the school) that he had missed. In the film, Marcus is seen serving in the Korean War. The audience is assumed to be smart enough to put two and two together that Marcus had been kicked out of college and therefore been drafted as a result into the U.S. Army.

The success of the film lies a great part to the performance of the lead actor playing Marcus, who is in almost very scene in the film. Logan Lerman (who has proven himself in the PERCY JACKSON films and other dramas like THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER) displays acting capability and eloquence as in the film’s best scene with Dean Caudwell debating Bertrand Russell’s Christianity. His character is described by Dean Caudwell as intense. The same adjective can be used to describe Lerman’s performance. Linda Emond is also excellent as Marcus’ mother. Ben Rosenfield has a supporting role as Marcus’ roommate. When Marcus moves out of the room, the roomate’s longing stare at Marcus during the Chapel service could be taken as his closeted homosexuality.

Shamus has now proven himself as a superb writer and director. INDIGNATION is a thinking man’s film that is smart, entertaining and funny. It is cinematically excellent in all departments from wardrobe, art and production design and acting. I would highly recommend this film and would also gladly see it a second time.

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NERVE (USA 2016) ****

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nerveNERVE (USA 2016) ****
Directed by Ariel Schulman and Henry Joos

Starring: Emma Roberts, Dave Franco, Emily Meade |

Review by Gilbert Seah

NERVE is a video game comedy/thriller/horror written by Jessica Sharzer based on her 2012 novel. Directors Schulman and Joos have previously made a documentary called CATFISH based on similar material. The video game NERVE is online reality based focusing on the dare part of ‘truth or dare’. Going on line with the underground app, one can click on ‘watchers’ or ‘players’. Players make money as they complete dares suggested by the watchers who pay to watch their players.

Enter into the game high school senior Venus Delmonic aka Vee (Emma Roberts). Fed up of being her best friend’s (Emily Meade) sidekick, Vee becomes a player for VERVE. She is caught up in the game with fellow-player Ian (Dave Franco) who has a secret. The film plunges Vee and Ian deeper and deeper until they become prisoners of the game. The climax of the film where all the watchers gather is somewhat similar to how raves were organized in the past. The film is incredibly real and current in today’s youth scene.

The film begins like a teen comedy with the girls acting like another version of MEAN GIRLS. Once Vee enters the game, directors Schulman and Joos slowly and effectively alter the mood to thriller and finally to horror.

The film contains a few very funny scenes as well as a few really suspenseful ones. The funniest line heard in a film by me this year comes in the hospital scene with Vee’s mother (played by Juliette Lewis, one of my favourite actresses). The suspense scene is high-octane fuelled as Vee and Ian complete a dare riding a bike blindfolded at 60 mph.

Dave Franco, shows here that he is capable as a lead of carrying an entire film. The actor has only done supporting roles in the past. He and Emma Roberts make good romantic chemistry. The kisses are done old movie style with lip smooching rather than with tongue. Here, it is apparent that the directors are aiming at a less restricted rating. The film is also noticeably absent form blood and violence despite the film’s theme. The best thing too is that the film contains a message about video games, though quite obviously stated at the climax of the film and more subtly put forward during a dramatic argument between Vee and Sydney.

American rapper MGK does an excellent job in the small but important role of Ty, a psychotic NERVE player who makes it to the finalist.

With all the hype on video games like POKEMON GO, NERVE arrives at the best timing possible. If the film seems far-fetched, it isn’t. There is an app called “Periscope” half similar to NERVE that emerged half way during the filming of NERVE.

NERVE is a very clever film released by Lionsgate famous for THE HUNGER GAMES and TWILIGHT franchises. This is definitely a film that caters to the same target audience and with some luck and good marketing, the desperate-for-a-hit studio will hit the big bucks with this film.

 

 

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JASON BOURNE (USA 2016) ***

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jason_bourne.jpgJASON BOURNE (USA 2016) ***
Directed by Paul Greengrass

Starring: Matt Damon, Tommy Lee Jones, Alicia Vikander, Vincent Cassel Julie Stiles

Review by Gilbert Seah

JASON BOURNE arrives as the 5th instalment of the Bourne films based on the Robert Ludlum novels. Fans were given a break with the previous entry that starred Jeremy Renner working with director Tony Gilroy. With Matt Damon reunited with director Paul Greengrass, one would have expected a top-notch action Bourne film. Sadly, JASON BOURNE provides nothing than more of the same. A few additional secrets regarding Bourne’s past are revealed as to his father’s (Gregg Henry) involvement, but nothing substantial.

Greengrass sets his action set pieces the way Bourne fans are used to – hand held camera with jittery frame and fast edits. The technique creates more nervousness with audiences than anything else. I am not a keen fan of this kind of action shots though they appear popular with Bourne fans. The problem is the lack of continuity as evident in the over extended ridiculous car chase segment at the climax where the assassin’s (Vincent Cassell) truck ploughs through dozens of cars along a Las Vegas strip while in hot pursuit by Bourne. The background of the Vegas hotels do not appear to change as much as the distance covered by the chase.

Despite JASON BOURNE being an action film, the film’s most engrossing parts are the non action scenes. such as the suspense built up during the Exocon convention in Vegas where the founder of a high tech platform company (Riz Ahmed) is about to be shot.

Most of the Bourne characters are emotionless creatures from Bourne himself right down to the director of the CIA, Dewey (Tommy Lee Jones) and other assorted villains. The one with a conscience is Heather Lee (Alicia Vikander), sympathetic to killing Bourne and wanting to bring him into the CIA as another possibility. It seems odd that the script calls for her to change this character completely at the end of the film for the sake of a plot twist.

The film’s story is very current and remarkably similar to Snowden’s whistleblowing, which will be revisited agin in the upcoming film called SNOWDEN. The high tech convention setup is similar to for example, the real life unveiling of new products by Apple Inc. Another sequence that takes place in Athens has mobs of angry Greeks protesting the current economic crisis, clashing with the police.

The script asks the audience to accept a lot of credibility points like whether a lap top memory can be erased by a nearby cellphone.

The question is whether this JASON BOURNE film is really necessary and if it is, how it compares to the other Bourne films. The first THE BOURNE IDENTITY based on Robert Ludlum’s first novel is the most solid of the lot, directed by Doug Liman since it is the one that sets the wheels rolling and established the ground rules. Paul Greengrass then came on board as director, and with Damon establishing the new Bourne style with the next two films and in this one. The diversion with Renner and director Gilroy was ok but did not make any memorable difference. This new JASON BOURNE should satisfy Bourne fans, but provides just more of the noisy same.

 

 

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