Bourne With Fortitude

Rating: 7/10 (5 April 2014)

I feared the worst about this but ended up mildly surprised at just how engrossing it had been. Sure, it's milking the franchise for all it's worth but it does so quite entertainingly - but maybe it was all so empty-headed I can simply empathise better. They're flogging a horse with some life left in it.
Rogue super agent Aaron Cross is a thorn in the side of Uncle Sam only they don't know it for most of the movie; he dodges certain death a few times, causes incessant mayhem and picks up an emotional sympathetic moll in his quest for the McGuffin. There are many complex and unnecessary cul-de-sacs in the plot to fool you but ultimately that's all there is. And along with the photography there are many action scenes that are impressive, but it's mainly the two leads gruff Renner and tearful Weisz who carry the film and contribute the most. Although usually I've got a lot of time for Weisz I was wondering at first if Thunderbirds' Lady Penelope was a more believable and less wooden actress, but she certainly picked it up and by the climax was brilliant. Favourite bits: the pivotal sudden flare-up at Weisz's house and subsequent prolonged bafflement of the security forces; the improbable foot and motorbike chase through the slightly busy streets of Manila.
It's not as good as Matt Damon's previous three outings, but at least it's swift, honest and a fairly enjoyable time-passer. So it's OK, but whether it was worth all the money spent on its making is another matter.