Buzzman
Senior Member
The Bourne Legacy (2012)
The writer/director expands the Bourne universe created by Robert Ludlum with an original story that introduces us to a new hero (Jeremy Renner) whose life-or-death stakes have been triggered by the events of the first three films.
When the Bourne Ultimatum ended, it was the perfect ending. There was no need to contue on with Jason Bourne. His story was done and everything that needed to be said about him was said. That’s why I have no problem with dipping back into the Bourne universe and tapping into another agent in the same vein as Jason Bourne. This is the story of Aaron Cross and how he fits into the world. It’s got a very different film from the previous films that help it separate itself from the others as its somewhat own franchise that could end up going in so many different directions.
In a lot of ways its not like a Bourne film. The beginning of the film features a lot of slow paced scenery with Aaron Cross traveling in a way that gives up a lot of his characteristics. It then moves onto a lot of dialogue heavy scenes with very few action pieces placed in-between. They do this a lot to remind you that this is a side sequel happening at the same time as Ultimatum that slows it down a bit, but it also helps establish these brand new characters to the franchise. It seems fitting that the runtime is over two hours for the first time in the franchise, and it helps it quite a bit. I feel like I understand where Aaron stands in this universe, how massive it is, and where it could be headed. He is very different agent than Bourne. He doesn’t seem to have it all together; his plans never seem so perfect. It also does a lot of traveling; a little too much I might say, but a little dead wright isn’t a problem in a film filled with a good amount of intense scenes. The purpose of the film may feel small, but that’s because it seems to be building toward something bigger. I felt the same way with the Bourne Identity as I do here, and am not worried one bit. It works as a standalone film and as what appears to be the beginning in another trilogy.
Jeremy Renner takes a different approach for his Aaron Cross. He’s not deadly serious and takes things in a lighter approach. He still kicks ass and gets the job done, but you can expect a smirk every once in a while. I’m glad he didn’t try to replicate Damon and seems like another franchise he can put on his belt and be proud of. Rachael Weisz plays his sort of love intrst for the film and is very similar to Maurie from the originals. She is given more opportunities to toughen up and be less clumsy, and she does it pretty well, but at the end of the day plays an almost identical role. She has some rough patches at times, but handles herself with Renner really well and creates a relationship as good if not better than the first lovely couple. Edward Norton is much underused as the antagonist in the film. He has a very hinted past, but is given very little opportunity to allow it to expand. I’d be willing to bet they banked on doing it in the sequel that could help define him as amore interesting character, but as a film by itself, he’s pretty average. I still expect better things to come out of him.
The Bourne Legacy as a very different feel, its light on action and very heavy on story which seems to be the reason why so many walked out disappointed. They didn’t have the right kind of expectations, and the films abrupt ending that all but screams sequel might turn some people away, but it only have me craving more. It’s 130 minute runtime didn’t seem long enough and I hope they can continue what they started here because there is a lot of potential to build something as great as the original three. Matt Damon team-up anyone? One can dream.
Overall Score: 8/10
The writer/director expands the Bourne universe created by Robert Ludlum with an original story that introduces us to a new hero (Jeremy Renner) whose life-or-death stakes have been triggered by the events of the first three films.
When the Bourne Ultimatum ended, it was the perfect ending. There was no need to contue on with Jason Bourne. His story was done and everything that needed to be said about him was said. That’s why I have no problem with dipping back into the Bourne universe and tapping into another agent in the same vein as Jason Bourne. This is the story of Aaron Cross and how he fits into the world. It’s got a very different film from the previous films that help it separate itself from the others as its somewhat own franchise that could end up going in so many different directions.
In a lot of ways its not like a Bourne film. The beginning of the film features a lot of slow paced scenery with Aaron Cross traveling in a way that gives up a lot of his characteristics. It then moves onto a lot of dialogue heavy scenes with very few action pieces placed in-between. They do this a lot to remind you that this is a side sequel happening at the same time as Ultimatum that slows it down a bit, but it also helps establish these brand new characters to the franchise. It seems fitting that the runtime is over two hours for the first time in the franchise, and it helps it quite a bit. I feel like I understand where Aaron stands in this universe, how massive it is, and where it could be headed. He is very different agent than Bourne. He doesn’t seem to have it all together; his plans never seem so perfect. It also does a lot of traveling; a little too much I might say, but a little dead wright isn’t a problem in a film filled with a good amount of intense scenes. The purpose of the film may feel small, but that’s because it seems to be building toward something bigger. I felt the same way with the Bourne Identity as I do here, and am not worried one bit. It works as a standalone film and as what appears to be the beginning in another trilogy.
Jeremy Renner takes a different approach for his Aaron Cross. He’s not deadly serious and takes things in a lighter approach. He still kicks ass and gets the job done, but you can expect a smirk every once in a while. I’m glad he didn’t try to replicate Damon and seems like another franchise he can put on his belt and be proud of. Rachael Weisz plays his sort of love intrst for the film and is very similar to Maurie from the originals. She is given more opportunities to toughen up and be less clumsy, and she does it pretty well, but at the end of the day plays an almost identical role. She has some rough patches at times, but handles herself with Renner really well and creates a relationship as good if not better than the first lovely couple. Edward Norton is much underused as the antagonist in the film. He has a very hinted past, but is given very little opportunity to allow it to expand. I’d be willing to bet they banked on doing it in the sequel that could help define him as amore interesting character, but as a film by itself, he’s pretty average. I still expect better things to come out of him.
The Bourne Legacy as a very different feel, its light on action and very heavy on story which seems to be the reason why so many walked out disappointed. They didn’t have the right kind of expectations, and the films abrupt ending that all but screams sequel might turn some people away, but it only have me craving more. It’s 130 minute runtime didn’t seem long enough and I hope they can continue what they started here because there is a lot of potential to build something as great as the original three. Matt Damon team-up anyone? One can dream.
Overall Score: 8/10
