The Bourne Legacy Movie Review

One of this year’s awaited films is The Bourne Legacy. It got a lot of hype and buzz mainly because this Bourne film has no Jason Bourne. This film happens during the events of The Bourne Ultimatum. And it works.

The Bourne Legacy is more on dialogues and a little less action. It delves deeper into the projects like Treadstone and its other beta projects like Outcome. It shows us what is happening to the agency after Jason Bourne and what other secrets do they have. And in Legacy, we get a glimpse of one their successful projects.

The film may not feature matt Damon as Jason Bourne but all the plots and highlights of the film starts with Bourne. We get glimpses of the events in Ultimatum that coincides with the new story. It is well made those audiences who didn’t see the past Bourne films will not get lost while watching Legacy.

The Bourne Legacy has great cinematography. Like past Bourne films, camera movement is a highlight. In this one, we get a great view of a motorcycle chase in the busy streets of Manila, a great icy landscape of Alaska, a roof top chase and some great aerial shots. The camera movement in this film brings us close to the action while giving us a unique new look at the Bourne universe.

Jeremy Renner plays a new character in this film. He plays Outcome 5, Aaron Cross. Renner didn’t lose his memory like Bourne but he has another problem. The new programs got agents taking what they call Chems or drugs to enhance their bodies. Cross is dependent on it. Renner shows us a new take on the agents. Unlike Bourne, Cross is more dependent and emotional. He quickly blends in and is genetically strong.  Renner delivers a great performance with creating a new character which is pretty much believable.

Rachel Weisz also does a great job in this film as Dr. Shearing. She shows a lot of emotional sides to her character. She isn’t adaptable to any situation, so when crisis hits her, she panics. Weisz was able to give us a true look at a woman in trouble with no idea what is going on.

Edward Norton does a great job at playing one of the main villains. He may not be in the field but his presence is felt throughout the film. When Norton first utters his first lines in the film, he already has that conviction that will send tingles down your spine because you know this guy will do whatever it takes to bring anyone down.

The film brings together a new and old feeling of emotion and action that is known in any Bourne films. The dialogue is heavy but it works because it sets things for what’s to come. But there are also downsides to the film. It starts slow as it tries to build its story. Unlike the past films which already have a back story, this one is new with a back-story that is just a small portion of what Legacy is all about. It is also less exciting that the other Bourne films. Maybe because this time, the character has no need to find answers, he is looking to survive. Cross has no memory loss so he is just on the run. He is running away from those who are after him and not towards them.

The action in this film brings a new take of car chase. One of the highlights of the film is the motorcycle chase in the busy streets of Manila, Philippines. Director Tony Gilroy really used the landscape of Manila well to bring an intense feel to the film. Another highlight in terms of action is when Larx 3 climbed down steel trusses of a billboard to get to Cross and Shearing. Like I said, Gilroy used the city well to fit in perfectly to the action of the film.

The Bourne Legacy is a new take on the franchise. Some of those who watched the film said that the ending was abrupt and left them wanting more. Well, for me the end was okay. It leaves room for a sequel and an ending which stand on its own in case a sequel is not pushed through. It leaves an opening in which a chance of Jason Bourne returning is possible and can easily be fitted into the story.

The Bourne Legacy has its ups and downs but it delivers. It has fun, excitement, action a small ounce of mystery. Even without Jason Bourne, this film works. And from someone coming from the Philippines, this film brings in a new way of looking at Manila as well as the busy streets of EDSA. It also gives pride in seeing some of the country’s top actors in the film.

The Bourne Legacy is true to its title, it is a legacy left by Jason Bourne and it can be told from different angles. It is raw, emotional and heart pumping. Simply put, it delivers. I give it 7 out of 10.