A bolted-on expansion to the Bourne universe, what could go wrong?

Rating: 6/10 (2 September 2012)

The Bourne Legacy follows on from the original trilogy, starring Jeremy Renner as Aaron Cross - an agent fighting for survival after his very existence is deemed inconvenient by the higher-ups. This film brings what you would expect to the table: car chases, hand-to-hand combat, and conspiracy – all tied together with the customary slick camera work. It all sounds great on paper, but what's missing?
The first thing you will notice is the distinct lack of Jason Bourne in a film bearing his name. Whilst Jeremy Renner may be a fine supporting actor, his youthful visage lacks a certain darkness that somehow removes him from the extreme violence the role demands. Rachel Weisz seems a little out of her depth here too; her constant whimpering and hammed-up expressions may test your patience. Edward Norton was by far the most promising addition to the cast. Anyone who has seen American History X or Fight Club knows the gravity he can bring to a role. Considering that this film is an original creation in its own right (though based on the books) there was the license here to create a sinister masterpiece, a personification of the unsettling actions and moral ambiguity associated with the intelligence community. Sadly, he is rather under-utilised, serving more as a vassal for exposition; his contributions seem only to enable the next action sequence.
On the whole, however, this film has a lot to offer, and anyone looking for an action – adventure will have plenty to sink their teeth into. The car chases and combat are as exciting as ever, with a tense soundtrack to draw you in. The plot isn't something to dwell on, indeed the dialogue between Renner and Weisz is frequently littered with complete nonsense and embarrassing scientific malapropism, and the cast are forever being blessed with inexplicable revelations whenever the pace of the film threatens to slow down. The film is also a little lengthy too, with the familiar intro of Moby's Extreme Ways coming as somewhat of a relief. The film falls down in many areas, and those wanting to go deeper into the Bourne universe may be disappointed, but overall it is enjoyable enough to stand out against the other releases in the action genre this year.