The Bourne Legacy Review

Plot Summary:
Aaron Cross (Jeremy Renner) experiences life-or-death stakes that have been triggered by events caused by the search for Jason Bourne.

The Positives:
I am a huge fan of the Bourne trilogy. I was very excited to hear that the series would be continued with a new character played by Jeremy Renner. I was curious on how they would expand the Bourne universe I love. The end result is disappointing, but for the most part it works.

I really enjoyed the acting in this film. Jeremy Renner does a great job playing the Bourne counterpart Aaron Cross, he has the charisma and quick wit that makes him a great action hero. He also shows a new side to the action hero, by portraying him as a drug addict. Rachel Weisz does a great job playing a doctor who helps Cross on his mission. Edward Norton, while not in the film as much as Renner and Weisz, plays a great villain and one to look forward to in future installments.

I liked the visual aspect of the film a lot. The cinematography here doesn't go for the handheld camera movements that the original two do. Instead it goes for smooth, tripod controlled camera movements that are easier on the eyes and is refreshing to see in this series.

The action scenes, the few that there are, are really well-done. The suspense and set-up for these scenes is done perfectly. The payoff for each action scene is not only entertaining, but it captivates you and puts you on the edge of your seat.

The Negatives:
The Bourne Legacy, while entertaining, had a number of flaws. The main problem is the fact that a lot of the plot elements felt too forced. There is a love connection in the film I felt was not only unnecessary, it felt unnatural and fake. Also, the film tries to connect itself with the previous installment. It doesn't need the connection at all, it feels awkward and the film would have been better without the many news reports showing Bourne and scenes from The Bourne Ultimatum. 

I also felt this film had a lot of missed opportunities that could have made this film better. An example is the beginning of the film when Cross meets another agent at a cabin. So much opportunity to explore the characters. Instead, it turns into a short meeting leading up to a generic explosion sequence.

I enjoyed Edward Norton in this film. However, I feel the film wasted his character. He's barely in it, and not to mention he's hardly developed to make him a worthwhile character. He does his best in what he is given, but I hope the next installment really explores his character more.

Conclusion:
I really wanted to love The Bourne Legacy, but the weak script prevents this film from being more than it can be. The end result is not a bad film, but easily my least favorite in the series. The film is worth watching for its acting, action scenes, and the visuals. If you wanted a captivating story, unfortunately you'll have to look elsewhere. All in all, it's an alright film that should have been great.

Rating: 6 out of 10