Review: The Bourne Legacy (2012)

The Bourne Legacy

The Bourne Parallel-ogy 

Released: 13 August 2012

Director: Tony Gilroy

Cast: Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton

Plot: At the peak of Jason Bourne’s actions exposing Treadstone and Blackbriar, another company is forced to bury its misdemeanours by eliminating a lab developing performance enhancement drugs, in which Dr. Schearing (Weisz) is stationed. Meanwhile, agent Aaron Cross (Renner) survives a similar attempt on his life. The two are linked – but how?

THERE was always just one. That was, until the studio decided that the cow that is the Bourne series still had plenty of milk to be suckled. Instead of leaving a great trilogy with its own legacy, it was concluded that the films’ survival would be not in re-viewing and discussion, but in an additional, parallel story. Unfortunately, Legacy is lacking from the starting line – both the absences of Paul Greengrass (director of Supremacy and Ultimatum) and Matt Damon are sorely felt. The lack of Bourne himself as a hindrance was joked about by myself and my accompanying friend, but soon found its way into realisation. There is no doubt as to the talent of Tony Gilroy – who takes over directing privileges here – as is evident in the previous Bourne films, but the creative collaboration that made the former three instalments thrilling is, in hindsight, essential to their successes.

            Renner does a good job at the hardened, resourceful rogue agent, but doesn’t quite fill the hole left by Damon and his strong-headed, ruthless killing machine, instead breaking up the cold, calculated nature of a government assassin with charm and occasional light- heartedness. It works great in any other scenario, but this is Bourne. And the boot doesn’t fit. This arguably applies to the awkward dialogue – many lines go over the head due to narrative confusion or the odd disjointed attempt at comic relief.

            The story itself fits around the events of Ultimatum, where both Treadstone and the Blackbriar projects’ key figureheads are in the process of investigation. Here, assumptions are made about the links between Aaron Cross’ need for ‘chems’, that is, performance enhancing drugs, and the ‘headaches’ mentioned by Identity’s agent played by Clive Owen. This is the narrative road that Legacy takes. Outcome, the company who develop the pills are seemingly at risk of indictment through the actions of Jason Bourne, too – leading the company to be ‘burned to the ground’ as described by Norton’s Col. Byer. In the process, Weisz’ Dr. Marta Schearing escapes assassination, in a scene unrelated to, but chillingly evocative of the recent Colorado shootings, and henceforth she suspects her employer had more to do with it than meets the eyes. Similarly, Cross escapes his death after his cabin explodes. Henceforth the two unite in their desire to hold Outcome to account. The interplay between the two is good, but amounts to nothing, instead becoming a mockery of the premises of the original trilogy.

            The narrative slugs along over a lengthy two hours, and the events within are thinly spread. It is a long time before it makes any sense at all, and the action sequences along the way are hasty and flawed. In fact, it feels as though much of it is saved for a final sequence, but don’t hold your breath: it is a messy, tiring finale that pales in comparison to previous Bourne sequences. A scenario in which Cross saves Schearing in her own house better serves as a smaller scale, understated sequence, likening itself to the final encounter in Identity. But most problematically, Bourne fans will be disappointed with the loose fitting of the two narratives. Bourne is mentioned only a handful of times, and realistically, this film doesn’t even need a parallel set of events from the Bourne universe. In reality, it feels like a half-baked Bond movie with a sketchy storyline, and by the time the signature end- credit theme sounds, audiences will be left sighing.

Verdict: Bourne conventions are washed out by a weak story and a slow pace, which sadly isn’t even compensated for with any great action. A franchise- saving sequel will be a challenge. ★★