A Decent Film Coming From An Outstanding Series

Rating: 7/10 (7 December 2014)

First off, like many others, I was also surprised to hear that the producers were moving forward with the Bourne series without Damon at the helm. However, unlike the Bond films, which have seen a countless amount of actors take over the same role from each other, the Bourne series takes a very different turn here, although the plot is similar to the previous films. Jeremy Renner, who offers a fine performance here, is introduced as agent Aaron Cross a.k.a. Kenneth James Kitsom, who is a member of the black ops program "Operation Outcome." However, once Operation Treadstone and Operation Blackbriar are publicly exposed, thanks to Jason Bourne's actions in the previous installments, Cross finds himself pitted against the very organization that he thought was once on his side. Along the way, he meets biochemist Dr. Marta Shearing, played by Rachel Weisz, who in all honesty, slightly overacts her role at times. Cross and Shearing end up traveling to the Philippines to obtain the "chems" (medication) needed for Cross to survive...a part of the film in which I'm still trying to figure out, but is explained in further detail in a deleted scene that should've really remained in the film for that purpose. Granted, there are "flashbacks" that show what looks to be a tortured Aaron Cross speaking to some sort of government official or mercenary, but they could've done a better job in explaining that situation more thoroughly, because it left me with more questions than answers there.
Bourne's presence in the film is minimal, as are certain characters from previous films such as Noah Vosen and Pamela Landy. In this film, both Vosen and Landy are in hot water with the government after the Bourne situation and end up testifying over the matter. Moreover, although Damon does not officially star in this film, his character's presence is primarily limited to word of mouth and pictures, as despite revealing earlier on in the film that Bourne has been spotted in New York City, he is never found.
Perhaps the most surprising, if not darkest part of "The Bourne Legacy" is the murder-suicide scene, which takes place in Dr. Marta Shearing's biochemist lab. One of Shearing's supposed co-workers, Dr. Donald Foite, abandons his post, opens fire and kills up to five of his co-workers before turning the gun on himself once security arrives. He manages to kill everyone except Dr. Shearing, in which we also learn that he had a possible secret obsession with her, which is why he may have let her live.
The film also features impressive scenery as well, with my personal favorite location being Alaska. In the beginning of the film, Cross was there for a training exercise, where he goes "off the grid" to meet up with exiled Outcome operative "Number Three" in a log cabin.
Finally, although there is less action in this film when compared to previous installments, it still satisfies. Despite having a 2 hr. 15 min. running time, this film did more than enough in keeping my attention.
For anyone that already misses Damon as Jason Bourne, fear not, for he he is reprising his role as Jason Bourne, with Paul Greengrass returning as director, in 2016 for the fifth film. However, it has also been suggested that Jeremy Renner will be returning as Aaron Cross as well, so the next installment should certainly make for an interesting film.