Jason Bourne Review: 7 Ups And 3 Downs

3. The Supporting Cast Excel

There's been a lot of talk about the limited dialogue Matt Damon has in Jason Bourne. I tried to count the lines to verify, but got too wrapped up in the action to focus on it, which is really all that needs to be said about Bourne's characterisation here - regardless of what he says (although it feels like more than twenty-five), the silent former spy works as an action hero.

It's not a one man show though, and for a series that's always brought its A-game with the supporting cast, Jason Bourne is one of the best. You have Julia Stiles back a Nicky Parsons, which is good continuity, but the newbies shine. Tommy Lee Jones is standardly solid as the CIA chief and doesn't appear to be phoning it in and Vincent Cassel is a very nice surprise as "The Asset", a sniper assassin who hounds Bourne throughout the film, although the standout is Alicia Vikander. Her CIA up-and-comer is a little underwritten in the mid-section, but the actress still sells it, especially at the end where she gets some proper meat to work with.

The only one who doesn't get enough time is Riz Ahmed as the social media giant Aaron Kalloor, who deserved more than his limited sub-plot.