Cross no one cares about Aaron.

Rating: 4/10 (25 September 2012)

Starring: Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton
Synopsis: The fourth instalment to the Bourne franchise see's Aaron Cross (Jeremy Renner) a member of one of the black ops programmes Outcome. Taking place during the events of 'The Bourne Ultimatum', we see CIA's Deputy Director Pamela Landy being questioned about Treadstone project and the operation BlackBriar all of which has come to light due the events of Jason Bourne (Matt Damon, Bourne Identity, Bourne Supremacy, and Bourne Ultimatum). Also linked due to his involvement is Noah Vosen who's also now being investigated by the FBI too. Eric Bryer (Edward Norton) a retired USAF Colonel responsible for overseeing the CIA's clandestine operations is called upon to help stop any further information being leaked and to stop other programmes becoming public knowledge.
Review: this film opens with a quick recap of Ultimatum and shows Aaron on a training mission, the best I can make out project Outcome as only a few members and is still in early stages of development. Aaron a former highly trained and skilled soldier now an Outcome agent who is being controlled with performance enhancing drugs, making him stronger, faster and giving him better memory than an average person. Norton (Fight Club, Incredible Hulk and American History X) makes the decision to eliminate all members of Treadstone and Outcome as Pamela Landy Knows about these two projects and to keep the many others in the dark. Norton is at his best as a villainous CIA member, giving orders to kill all involved and including scientist behind the green and blue performance enhancing pills the Outcome agent's use. Rachel Weisz (The Mummy, Dream House) Dr Marta Shearing targeted by the CIA for her involvement is rescued by Aaron, who recruits her help in him becoming free from using the pills.
Beautifully shot with a lot of the world's destinations being used, exciting action sequences and an overall good story, let down it's every twenty minute referral to Jason Bourne. This feels like Lazenby's Bond movie, always mentioning the previous outing. I felt that it never truly gives Renner (Avengers, Swat) any chance to get started and become someone we want to care about. Some of the story feels rushed, especially when it comes to another agency sending out someone to take care of Cross and Shearing. I believe if it didn't have the constant references to Jason Bourne and the earlier films this would have given the franchise a new look and possible sequels, from what I've learned to date nobody is really interested in seeing another film now unless Matt Damon is attached, this might not be an end to Aaron Cross, however if given another chance keep the Bourne references to a minimal and let Aaron Cross's story become the forefront of the story.
Verdict: A poor man's Bourne but not the fault of the actors/characters but he story focusing on Jason Bourne and not Aaron Cross.
See this if you liked: Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol, on her Majorities Secret Service, Bourne trilogy.