Jason Bourne (12A) Empire, Odeon, ABC ****

ALMOST 15 years since the bullet-riddled body of Jason Bourne was dragged from the sea in The Bourne Identity, the amnesiac assassin returns with a vengeance in the fifth chapter of the action-packed espionage saga.

Director Paul Greengrass and actor Matt Damon return to their roles behind and in front of the camera, providing consistency to a series that has frequently put the exploits of James Bond in the shade.

The latest instalment delivers breathlessly choreographed hand-to-hand combat, dizzying chases and a jaw-dropping sequence of automotive carnage along the Las Vegas strip that trumps the thrilling resolution to The Bourne Supremacy.

Greengrass’ film is lean, muscular and bruising for a fight.

Finding Dory (U) Empire, Odeon, ABC ****

HOW can you remember you have a family if you have short-term memory loss?

That question is the wind beneath the water wings of Pixar’s joyous computer-animated sequel, which revisits the colourful characters 13 years after worrywart clownfish Marlin (voiced by Albert Brooks) was reunited with his beloved son, Nemo.

Their forgetful pal, Dory (Ellen DeGeneres), the uproarious comic relief of the first film, is promoted to head of the school for directors Andrew Stanton and Angus MacLane’s journey of self-fishcovery that once again abandons the safety of the reef for perilous waters.

Thankfully in almost every aspect, Finding Dory is the emotional and comical equal of its wildly successful predecessor. Dazzling the senses with stunningly realistic visuals and Thomas Newman’s buoyant orchestral score.

The script effortlessly tugs heartstrings in between cute verbal and sight gags, including a running joke about the voice of an A-list Hollywood actress, whose dulcet tones become a shimmering beacon of hope in the film’s darkest moments.

An adorable animated short entitled Piper precedes and complements the main feature, chronicling the fortunes of a sandpiper hatchling as it learns to forage for food at the water’s edge.

Tissues at the ready...