Few franchises became as unexpected a success as the Bourne series. Matt Damon’s amnesiac secret agent has become one of the most notable and compelling action movie protagonists, and the franchise is composed of some of the coolest movies about hitmen, influencing many films since. Two decades since it began, producers continue to speculate whether the sixth movie is happening or not, especially after its spin-off series Treadstone got canceled.
When taking a look back at the franchise, fans of the series often have their thoughts on which installment showcases the Jason Bourne brand at its best. With five films in total, there may be some agreement or disagreement; nonetheless, we’ve taken the brave step of examining the Bourne franchise from top to bottom. Read on to see which film in the Bourne series truly ranks among the most memorable.
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5 The Bourne Legacy
Universal Pictures
An outlier in the franchise, as it’s the only film to not feature Matt Damon, The Bourne Legacy already had that working against it. While the fourth Bourne does an admirable job of fleshing out the universe, and Jeremy Renner gives a committed performance, it’s ultimately an underdeveloped and largely uneventful experience. Legacy attempts to tie itself back to the earlier films but winds up feeling convoluted, and its editing and pacing lacks the finesse that Paul Greengrass or Doug Liman brought to previous installments.
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There are some enjoyable action sequences and set pieces, along with gorgeous exotic locales which are nice to witness, but none carry the scope or weight of previous Bourne movies. While it may have had its ambitions, The Bourne Legacy fails to resonate or bring anything exciting to the table. While some spin-offs can bring fascinating or innovative and expansive new elements, The Bourne Legacy instead mostly reminds viewers of how much more compelling the previous films were.
4 Jason Bourne
Pearl Street Films
The first film in the franchise to reunite director Paul Greengrass and star Matt Damon, and the most recent in the series, 2016’s Jason Bourne is a slight improvement but still feels like a more hollow entry than the original trilogy. Matt Damon still has a tremendous lock on the character of Jason Bourne, though, and Greengrass continues his natural flair for action. However, Jason Bourne doesn’t advance the plot in any meaningful way, and it feels scattered in terms of plotting and direction.
Using the character’s name for the title would seem to signal the idea of a reboot of sorts, but even in its stronger moments, Jason Bourne feels like a lesser version of its predecessors and fails to carry the same impact. While it’s initially exciting to see Damon back in the role, It’s not enough to sustain the momentum. Overall, Jason Bourne may have the thrill of seeing Damon and Greengrass working together again, but ultimately fails to reach the heights of previous films and winds up being a one-note and diminishing return.
3 The Bourne Identity
The kick-off to it all, Doug Liman’s 2002 film The Bourne Identity set a new standard for the action genre and helped solidify Matt Damon as an action star. The movie follows amnesiac secret agent Jason Bourne as he struggles to piece together who he is while uncovering a deadly conspiracy. The Bourne Identity is crisply paced and Damon delivers a vulnerable and engaging performance, while also going all-in with the action-packed demands of the film.
Doug Liman’s strong visual style and emphasis on character allow The Bourne Identity to dig deeper than the usual blockbuster fare, and he helps flesh out some excellent characters. Credit also to Franka Potente, who gives the character of Marie genuine depth, with supporting actors Chris Cooper and Julia Stiles also providing strong work here as well; additionally (and surprisingly) The Professor is a great character, and one of Clive Owen’s best movie roles. The Bourne Identity became a critical and commercial success upon release and is widely regarded as an influential film in the genre, with Liman and others noting that today’s recent James Bond era copied his style. While other films in the Bourne franchise may be more ambitious, The Bourne Identitystill holds up as an engaging and exhilarating thrill ride.
2 The Bourne Ultimatum
Sticking the landing in a trilogy can be difficult but thankfully The Bourne Ultimatum did so with style. The third entry follows Jason Bourne’s quest to New York City, where he seeks to finally gain answers on who he is. The third Bourne film balances its action, character, and plot developments seamlessly, and Greengrass keeps the pace going smoothly from start to finish. As usual, Damon turns in a compelling performance that anchors the film.
The Bourne Ultimatum manages to build upon its predecessors in many ways, and is an emotional, exciting, and well-crafted achievement. The film received universal praise and performed strongly, topping the international box office upon release, and is often considered by many to be the best of the franchise, and listed by critics as one of the best action films of the decade. The Bourne Ultimatum seems to be the Bourne franchise at the height of its powers; however there’s one film that’s arguably it’s equal.
1 The Bourne Supremacy
The second installment in the Bourne franchise and the first directed by Paul Greengrass, The Bourne Supremacy follows Jason Bourne on the hunt for answers as he also avenges the death of Marie, who is accidentally killed in an attempt on his life. Supremacy is a leaner, darker and more visceral entry than The Bourne Identity, and part of its ‘supremacy’ is the fact that Damon gives his all in the most intense and captivating performance of the films.
The movie’s action increases in scope and scale, and Greengrass’ pacing is tremendously effective. The Bourne Supremacy also expands the universe of the franchise and adds development to its supporting cast as well, including a strong turn by Julia Stiles. The Bourne Supremacy is an example of how a sequel can improve upon its predecessor and is a truly accomplished action film; thanks to its strong plot, action, and performances, it fans are still celebrating the movie today.
