Starring: Jeremy Renner, Rachael Weisz, Edward Norton
Directed by: Tony Gilroy
Written by: Tony Gilroy, Dan Gilroy
Genre(s): Action, Adventure
NO SPOILERS HERE!
Unlike the first three Bourne movies starring Matt Damon as Jason Bourne, this film was not based on a novel written by Robert Ludlum, author of THE BOURNE IDENTITY, THE BOURNE SUPREMACY and THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM.
Instead this story revolves around a DNA altered asset named Aaron Cross (played by Jeremy Renner) who was the product of the same classified government program that created Jason Bourne.
What’s unique about this sequel is that it takes place during the same narrative time-line as the Jason Bourne trilogy. I cannot think of another sequel which overlaps the original source movie (or movies, in this case).
In THE BOURNE LEGACY, we follow Aaron Cross’ fight for survival, as the government begins to contain Jason Bourne and tries to mitigate damages caused by Operation Treadstone and Operation Blackbriar. Aaron Cross is caught in the crosshairs and in a web of conspiracy.
This movie has a different tone and pace from the first three movies. Aaron Cross has his own issues to overcome just like Jason Bourne did previously. It almost feels like a more personal story than Bourne’s story which was a nice departure from the trilogy.
Don’t get me wrong. There’s still plenty of action and plenyt of things get smashed or broken. In the hierarchy of action movie series, the JAMES BOND series is the ultimate, followed by the Bourne series. You can always count on fantastic stunt choreography in both of these series.
As for the future of the Bourne series, I am not sure if they can stretch it to number five, unless Robert Ludlum pens a new novel. The other option would be to produce a “Jane Bourne” sequel. That has my vote!
