THE BOURNE LEGACY

Photos courtesy of Universal Pictures

Jeremy Renner takes over where Matt Damon left off, on the run from the US government, in the action-thriller, THE BOURNE LEGACY. 

Renner is Aaron Cross, a current member of the United States military who awakes in the cold in the middle of nowhere with little knowledge of his current status or mission.  After discovering another soldier’s reclusive whereabouts in the frigid confines, Cross begins to further question the motives of his fellow soldier and his own future.  

He soon discovers he’s a target of the government, and following a near death experience with a drone, Cross decides it’s time for answers.  He travels to visit Dr. Marta Shearing, a researcher who experimented on Cross during a highly confidential scientific study.

                                                            

Although loosely tied to its superior predecessors, THE BOURNE LEGACY feels like a toned down version of the Damon-led action-thrillers.  

In spite of a few white-knuckle moments in the film’s latter third, this BOURNE installment lacks the drive, adrenaline and lightning-fast pacing of the original three pictures.  Most of the film is set-up, including a sluggish first-third.  This third has Cross navigating, exploring and surviving rugged and frigid confines, cut between boardroom and quiet-quarter chatter scenes with high-ranking government officials.  

Considering Cross’s predicament, and the nature of the series, the danger should always feel imminent, and the boardroom talk should be minimal.  Instead too much background is provided regarding Cross and the government’s failed plan, and this over explanation of events and motives not only slows the film’s pacing, but drains much of the mystery and suspense.  

Although the BOURNE series has always had an element of surprise and revelation, the driving force behind IDENTITY, SUPREMACY and ULTIMATUM was the break-neck pacing and exhilarating action sequences.  It isn’t until a late chase scene, and an exciting high-speed motorcycle chase that writer-director Tony Gilroy delivers the action goods.  

THE BOURNE LEGACY seems to be trading on its name. 

Grade: C