Review: "The Bourne Legacy"

Expanding on the idea that Jason Bourne's actions would set off a chain reaction of preventative cover ups within the intelligence community, The Bourne Legacy lies just outside the edges of the frame of the first three films, focusing on the elimination of agents from a different program called Outcome.

Jeremy Renner stars as Aaron Cross, aka Outcome #5, aka Kenneth Kitsom, a genetically enhanced operative who escapes elimination and is on the run from a government that feels it is easier to kill him than explain his existence. In order to stay in top physical and mental condition, Outcome agents must take a series of drugs that heighten their abilities, and Aaron is nearly out. He saves a scientist played by Rachel Weisz -- another of the intended casualties from the Bourne fallout -- with the hope that she can help him.

Many of the control-room characters from the previous installments make cameos in this film, but their presence is merely connective tissue, and has no relevance to the Aaron Cross story except to provide context. Edward Norton plays Eric Byer, the man charged with evaluating the risk, cleaning up the mess, and ultimately, shutting down the program. Norton has a knack for portraying intelligent, calculating characters with slightly grey morals, and his skills are put to good use here. As with the David Strathairn and Joan Allen characters from the previous films, he's not out in the field, but in an office, looking at images on computer screens -- emotionally detached from his targets. While the film makes an effort to tie the Norton and Renner characters together, the backstory seems unclear and the connection never pays off . . . at least, not in this film.

Tony Gilroy (Duplicity, Michael Clayton), who wrote all three previous Bourne pictures, directed the film, from a script he co-wrote. From a technical standpoint, the film is well made and continues in the tradition of the franchise with lots of handheld camerawork and fast-paced cutting -- less aggressive than Supremacy or Ultimatum, which were largely shaped by their director, Paul Greengrass -- but still recognizable as similar in style. Legacy most closely resembles the first film in the franchise, Doug Liman's The Bourne Identity, from the whispering, behind-closed-doors feeling of Norton's operation to the pseudo-romantic pairing of Renner and Weisz.

The film features top-notch stuntwork with plenty of gunplay, chase scenes, and hand-to-hand combat, and Renner is a capable action star (definitely one of his strengths), but you may not find Aaron Cross to be as likable as Jason Bourne. Although both characters have self-preservation in mind, Bourne's predicament was the result of his conscience -- a trait audiences love -- whereas Cross is just looking for his fix. Renner plays Cross as sympathetically as possible, but his only reason for fighting is to make sure his IQ doesn't drop if he misses his little blue pill -- not quite as admirable as doing the right thing.

The producers are hoping that this film will kick off another series of Bourne-less stories featuring Renner. While I don't mind the idea of what many are calling a side-quel, I really hope they can find a more compelling reason for Cross to get back into action than just "the government wants him dead." He needs a reason to come out of hiding; something that puts more of a good-guy streak into the character. In the end, fans who love the concept and style of the Bourne franchise will find some enjoyment in this picture, even if it's a "one step forward, two steps back" approach.

"Setting the Frame" Film Grade = C+