Bourne Legacy: still the Bourne formula

I started off not really liking the Bourne stories. I always thought the name was bit sissy. However, few movies down, I am a Matt Damon fan. And in the last outing, Bourne Ultimatum, I found myself cheering for Bourne. Ah well, they refuse to let the premise dies, and therefore, supposedly continuing the legacy.

Watching Bourne Legacy is like watching Bourne Identity again. Same in most ways, different in some, it is basically set on the same universe, sort of a spin-off from Bourne. Bourne did not appeared in any scene (except in news), but the movie happens because of what happen with Bourne. Now, that is a nice idea.


Like Bourne, Aaron Cross is also product of a top secret government project. Because of Bourne expose in Ultimatum, the rest of the super soldier project were at risk of suffering similar fate. Therefore, to safe keep the secret, the top rank official had to pull the plug, and therefore erase the whole thing. That includes killing every agent and scientist involved. Cross survived and in the process, rescue one of the scientist and travel around the globe to sort of stabilize the enhancement they improve on his body and mind. Now, do you see the resemblance of Bourne Identity? Secret super soldier agent, double cross by the employer, surviving.



The pace of the story is good. It may not have the physical intensity, the suspense is still gratifying. Seeing how Cross outsmart the government is somehow nice. Not much of fight scene, but the mental suspense would keep you on your seat. Pacing is good, though draggy in certain stretch. Jeremy Renner as Aaron Cross? Ever since Hurt Locker, he played his card well. He portray Cross well, someone who was forced to the corner, to survive on his own wits. Rachael Weisz. Elegant. Chemistry. No complain in that department. So, does the movie shine? Not exactly. As much as the pacing is good, nothing much happen in the movie except seeing the pair escape from the house, airport, factory in Philippines, and last motorcycle chase. That basically summarize everything. As much the acting is solid, the character was not properly develop except only one scene where Cross showed his own obituary where you can sense his sadness. Then again, this movie, like Bourne Identity, serve more of a prologue to the rest of Cross movies.

ratings: 3 poink!
comments: there should be sequels. And I do like Aaron Cross name better than Bourne.