Jason Bourne Kicks Iraq in the Face with Green Zone

Apparently growing up as conjoined twins just couldn't save the relationship between Matt Damon and Greg Kinnear.  How could something as simple as the invasion of Iraq tear them apart?

Damon and Kinnear's reunion film Green Zone engages us from the very beginning, dropping us straight into the middle of a chaotic search mission amidst frantic Iraqi riots, making excellent use of Paul Greengrass' signature "shaky-cam" so often utilized in the second and third Bourne films.  Bourne (er...Damon) plays Chief Warrant Officer Roy Miller, tasked with finding WMDs during the 2003 invasion of Iraq based on intel from Kinnear's Clark Poundstone of Pentagon Intelligence.

Performance-wise the film is serviceable, but never really explores any of its characters in depth.  We're given enough character motivation to move the plot along, but little more.  Damon-Bourne brings his typical determined badassery, but I couldn't help wondering what he in particular added to that role someone else couldn't.  Similarly, Kinnear draws from his well of self-assured a-holes, but never brings anything fresh to the table.  Even the always likeable Brendon Gleeson (whose accent I caught slipping once or twice ) simply isn't given enough to do. 

"Call me Bourne ONE MORE TIME.  I DARE YOU."

That said, special attention should be called to both Khalid Abdalla and Jason Isaacs for their respective performances; Abdalla as Damon's reluctant Iraqi aide "Freddy," and Isaacs for completely disappearing into the role of Special Forces Officer Briggs.  Abdalla brings a profound sympathy to the story that succeeds in blurring the lines of an otherwise simple and justified mission.  And as for Isaacs...his character registers as somewhat one-note villainy, but I dare you to find any trace of Lucius Malfoy in there. 

What Green Zone lacks in individual character development, however, it more than makes up for in accurately capturing both the desperation and uncertainty of the 2003 invasion, from both the Iraqi standpoint and the perspective of the lower-ranking American soldiers.  We strongly empathize with the soldiers' frustration as their fruitless search for WMDs drives them to pursue all leads, if mission might validate their purpose in Iraq. 

Well played, hidden subtext.  Well played.

Be warned, though, the movie carries a distinct Liberal slant, making some very bold, if not dangerously presumptuous statements about the invasion of Iraq and US foreign policy.  I for one appreciated the audacity it took to make those statements, but could easily understand why that might alienate audiences supportive of the war.

But, on a more serious note.

Aside from delivering satisfying performances and exhilarating action sequences throughout, Bourne fans will find a welcome departure from the straightforward break-neck action they're used to, and other movie-goers will walk away with plenty to chew on, so long as they manage to separate truth from fiction.