After a successful trilogy of films, Matt Damon announced he would not be returning for another Bourne film. Instead, the series would be rebooted with Jeremy Renner filling the shoes of the protagonist in the latest instalment, “The Bourne Legacy.”
Following on from “The Bourne Ultimatum,” The Bourne Legacy has a number of plots which all become intertwined towards the film’s climax. Rather than simply replacing Jason Bourne (Matt Damon), The Bourne Legacy switches its focus to a new hero, while also incorporating elements of the former protagonist.
At the film’s opening, Aaron Cross (Jeremy Renner) is shown surviving Alaska’s cold and mountainous landscapes. Viewers soon learn that Cross is a member of “Operation Outcome,” an improved programme to the one Bourne was on, which supplies its agents with green and blue pills.
Meanwhile, Eric Bryer (Edward Norton), the programme leader and antagonist of the film, decides to shut down the operation and therefore terminate Cross. Bryer does this by chemically brainwashing scientist, Dr. Donald Foite (Zeljko Ivanek) to shoot and kill his other colleagues one-by-one in the Outcome research lab – where the pills are produced.
Dr. Marta Shearing (Rachel Weisz) is the sole survivor and also wanted dead by those at the CIA. Her and Cross’ paths meet and the two work together to ‘viral off’ the pills, while being hunted down.
While the film’s plots are very in-depth, the script falls flat at times – especially when the characters use medical jargon that the average cinema-goer wouldn’t understand. Nevertheless, the exhilarating car chases and explosions throughout the film are a redeeming factor.
As you’d expect from a Bourne film, Cross’ journey takes him to a wide range of cities, from the snow-filled landscapes of Alaska, to the busy streets of the Philippines. Each place has been brilliantly captured and looks spectacular on the big screen, helped by some great camera work.
The acting is also to a very good standard. While he lacks the grace Matt Damon had, Jeremy Renner seems more suited to the Bourne-type role and Edward Norton plays a very convincing enemy.
Overall, while there are a few moments when the film falls flat, The Bourne Legacy is a great reboot for the series. The director, Tony Gilroy, brilliantly balances tension and action to create a film that will have viewers on the edge of their seats.
Spot on. Great reboot. 7/10