Disappointing

Rating: 5/10 (25 March 2006)

If I hadn't seen Bourne Identity I'd say this movie was just OK. But with BI before it I was pretty disappointed. Most of the problem is with the directing. I'm really sorry to see Greengrass is doing the threequel. There are so many scenes that just drag on without any thing in particular happening, particularly in all but the last car chase. This is made all the more irritating by music that should be accompanied by better action. Imagine James Bond sitting in on the can reading the sports page accompanied by McCartneys "Live and Let Die". Some of the dialogue was pretty awkward, almost like it was ad libbed. There are few fight scenes and none were as slick as those in BI. Overall the movie just lacked the tension of the first. Brian Cox gives a dreadful performance as Ward Abbot, surprising since he did pretty well in the first. Joan Allen gave the best performance but it wasn't enough to save the movie. Bringing back so many of the characters from BI, even minor players, seemed almost gratuitous. Also missing was the quick thinking-on-his-feet from Jason Bourne that really set the first apart. This movie would be fine for TV. I'd watch it. But I expect more when I rent something.