I really wanted it to work but sadly it did not

Rating: 5/10 (12 August 2012)

I REALLY wanted this to work because this one of my top 5 film series of all time and i have been a HUGE fan since the beginning... Sadly ... VERY SADLY it didn't come close and it hurts.
Lets face it the other films were AWESOME!!! and this change-up without authentic author written material just had "FAIL" written all over it from the onset and Damon knew it.
Truth be told if they just introduced this film as a new film un- associated with the Bourne trilogy it would be an OK film, but don't pit a Yugo against three finely tuned Ferrari's. It didn't fool anyone.
The core problem is it is this film fails miserably while pretending to replicate the same balance, pace and intensity of the three predecessors. Its just not there... you want it to be and you can feel the film trying but its nothing more than lipstick on a pig and you can feel it midway through the movie.
The earlier films were in your face gritty and this one was Hollywood diet-grit due to a weak script and too many other minor deviations from the original formula.
In addition to the weak and a repetitively themed script, liberties with other low-key casting choices from other films just gave this boat another anchor.
Why add Norton and Weiss? Like Bourne himself the earlier casting choices minus Julia Stiles were somewhat off the grid choices. Weiss just didn't fit at all... and Norton has been amazing in other movies but i will take a Conklin, Abbott or Landy any day of the week over his re-hash character.
The cinematography also felt noticeably more Hollywood than Bourne style unfortunately or else i was already clouded with disappointment and anger.
The good is that Renner did not try to become Bourne in the movie, he was his own character and i liked what he brought, but even his madd skills couldn't get this thing close to the same league as the other films.
I've always envied Matt Damon's decision making when it comes to choosing movie scripts. Initially i really really wanted him to stay with the series no matter what, but after seeing this one now, he once again made the right call by staying on the side line.
Verdict: Renner big thumbs up but sadly this film had big shoes to fill and never got its feet in.
If you can't do it well why do it all???