Re-Booted and Re-Bourne

Rating: 7/10 (12 August 2012)

This film is recommended.
The spy thriller has come of age in recent years, bringing with it enough violence and explosions to permanently dull one's senses with its onslaught of hair-raising stunt work, kinetic chases, and exaggerated leaps off buildings that would maim or kill any mere human being. With the body count ever increasing, so must the dare-devil exploits. This genre continually tops itself to produce cheap thrills for its adrenaline-deprived audience members as it sacrifices logical leaps and sensible plotting for the sheer ride of it all. The goal seems to be: the more convoluted and fast-paced, the better the end result.
The spy too has become a superstar without the super powers usually given to the comic book hero ( yet another genre that has gained popularity lately ). He usually has formidable survival instincts, neat gadgets, and undeniable strength to help him succeed at foiling the villain at all costs. This tried-and-true formula is set and really to be unleashed in the latest venture entitled The Bourne Legacy, a follow-up to the profitable Bourne trilogy ( without Matt Damon in the lead role as super agent Jason Bourne ).
One can easily say that its central hero has been " re-bourne " in this most recent installment to the billion dollar action thriller series as Jeremy Renner takes over as our new protagonist. Renner plays Aaron Cross, one of a series of genetically enhanced agents like Bourne. Think of a bionic man gone rogue, minus the superhero status or mythology. As the agency tries to rein all of its covert operatives, Cross moves from one location to the next, from one thrilling escape to yet another.
Story-wise, the film jumps around at such a frenzied pace that it becomes disconcerting. Various ideas pop up with new villains in various locales. Nothing makes a great deal of sense whenever the script tries to merge the old with the new. It doesn't successfully align the previous films with its new cast of characters and their undercover missions, but it tries. And tries. And tries.
When we last saw Bourne (as in Jason ), he had plummeted into the dark watery grave never to be seen again. The Bourne Legacy begins with that similar image, except this time, it's Aaron who emerges from the cold waters. The correlation is totally intentional as the film repeatedly links the previous pedigree shamelessly. This recognition factor seems to be everyone's covert mission. Back in service with what amounts to token cameo roles written just to reinforce that Outcome are such fine actors like Albert Finney, Joan Allen, David Strathairn, and Scott Glenn. They all look dreadfully serious, waste their talents in a short speech, and earn that hefty paycheck.
Inspired by Robert Ludlum's novels and directed by Tony Gilroy ( who also wrote the screenplay for this film and the previous Bourne series ), The Bourne Legacy is more of the same. It's generic repackaging, but a very well-made action film. The film is devoid any real emotional power and not as effective as the earlier efforts, but it remains standard high- concept fare. ( In those more involving films, one cared about the hero and the political fallout with its characters. With "old" Bourne, who is always referred to in this film but never materializes, the moviegoer was piecing together his repressed identity as a trained assassin just as he was. Here, Cross already knows who he is and his career choices, so the plot is rather simplistic for our "new" hero and the movie-going audience: it's escape, keep movin', or be killed. )
The talented Renner isn't given that much to do in the acting department except to run, jump, and shoot, which he does quite efficiently. He also develops a nice rapport with Rachel Weisz as Dr. Marta Shearing. Their scenes together heighten the suspense level and give the film some merit. Edward Norton brings enough menace to his role as Colonel Byer, the mastermind involved in the behind-the-scenes scenario.
With all the C.I.A. cover-ups, betrayals, and killings, the film loses its ways with its talky exposition and unnecessarily intricate plotting. But what makes The Bourne Legacy worthy of viewing is the well-staged and choreographed action sequences, which, pardon the pun, are on overkill. Especially exciting are a shoot-out midway through the film and a solidly directed climactic motorcycle chase that builds tension effectively.
This most recent installment continually entertains and production values are top-notch. Gilroy knows how to keeps the story moving, even if his script ( co-written with his brother, Dan ) plods along more than soars. As action thrillers go, The Bourne Legacy doesn't leave much to the imagination, but it does lead the way for other future chapters in the series. And the money kept rolling in. GRADE: B
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