The Bourne Legacy (2012): Dir: Tony Gilroy / Cast: Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton, Joan Allen, Stacy Keach: While the reputation of Jason Bourne is threatening corrupt agencies, what audiences may be reluctant to accept is Jeremy Renner playing a character who isn't Bourne. This all occurs while references and images of Matt Damon are made. Why not make Renner Bourne? It worked for the multiple actors who played James Bond. Renner emerges from the Atlantic wilderness where he was fighting off wolves. He needs a particular medicine made at an outlet where a sudden act of violence occurs that leaves several dead. Renner is part of the same agency as Bourne and is a type of super soldier whom the agency attempts to terminate. Renner holds strong under the illusion of marketing suggesting a Bourne identity while clearly not so. Rachel Weisz holds her own as someone who worked at the lab where the medicine is manufactured. A price is on her head as well and she becomes resourceful particularly during a motorcycle chase where she becomes instrumental in offing a pursuer. Edward Norton has a somewhat limited role as someone at the agency who struggles to keep this chaos under wraps while being fed the same Bourne subplot that viewers never get to see. This is a well made action thriller by director Tony Gilroy who made the excellent Michael Clayton. This does not measure up with that film due to themes that are traded for action stimulation. This is a pointless exercise without the actual Bourne character but at least the legacy is worthy entertainment. Score: 7 / 10
Review of The Bourne Legacy
