JASON BOURNE (2016)

Genre: Thriller / Action
Running Length: 2:03
Cast: Matt Damon, Tommy Lee Jones, Alicia Vikander, Vincent Cassel, Julia Stiles, Riz Ahmed
Director: Paul Greengrass
Screenplay: Paul Greengrass & Christopher Rouse

Despite the rinsing and repeating elements from the trilogy, JASON BOURNE still feels fresh. It's all there, exactly like how Honest Trailers - The Bourne Trilogy pointed out. That said, one doesn't go into a Bourne movie expecting an intellectually stimulating experience. The series' only has one goal; to keep the audience gasping for breath from get go with Greengrass' frenetic camerawork.

And this installment probably offers the best of such relentless intensity in the series. The action set pieces are not mindless (meaning: predictable and boring) but it's choreographed and edited in such a a way that it amps up the tension. The best of which comes near the end; an exhilarating car chase that actually feels real and dangerous.

As for the plot, the Snowden and social media backdrop are introduced in this film to give it a bit more relevance to today's context but like I mentioned, it's pretty much the same - the CIA hunting down Jason Bourne.

As for the supporting cast, they all do a fine job. Jones,Vikander and Cassel are all serviceable. But man...Matt Damon IS Jason <expletive> Bourne. Eventhough this outing is clearly financially motivated, I'm glad the filmmakers still put in a lot of heart and more importantly, Damon didn't phone-in his performance (*cough* Bruce Willis *cough* Die Hard series).

I'm definitely looking forward for more of Damon/Bourne walking away to Moby's Extreme Ways in the closing credits.

Rating: 7.5/10

THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E (2015)

Genre: Action/Comedy
Running Length: 1:56
Cast: Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, Alicia Vikander, Elizabeth Debicki, Hugh Grant,
Director: Guy Ritchie
Screenplay: Guy Ritchie & Lionel Wigram

There was a sense of deja vu when THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E ended. It felt like The Lone Ranger (the motion picture) all over again: Both films were once popular TV series. Armie Hammer appears in both the remake for the big screen. And both features an unlikely partnership. Although the trailer for both the big screen adaptation looked really promising and fun, the actual output was somewhat unsatisfying.

However, from a visual perspective, this film looks really classy and stylish. The production design is detailed and the use of split-screen for some action scenes feels fresh. And speaking of action sequences, Ritchie uses a more restrained approach for some of these scenes compared to the standard wall-to-wall in-your-face blockbuster action movies. For example, an important boat chase scene unfolds completely in the background while Cavill's character is having a snack. That scene left me in stitches! And there are a few of such played for laughs offscreen moments peppered throughout the movie. Also, the use of a classy jazz score is an inspired choice.

If only the narrative was more interesting. Strangely, the story is both simplistic and convoluted at the same time - which ends up "talking alot but actually saying nothing". Both Cavill and Hammer definitely have screen presence as the duo spends most of their time bantering back and forth and trying to one-up each other. Cavill is the debonair "brainy" chap while Hammer is the no nonsense "brawny" lad. That said, with their well-cut suits and dapper berets, they appear more like mannequins than real flesh and blood men.

Just like both our gentlemen who appears to be more preoccupied with their outlook, The Man From U.N.C.L.E is all style, but no substance.

Rating: 6.5/10