The Bourne Legacy Review

     After The Bourne Ultimatum left theaters five years ago, many thought that was the end of the Bourne franchise, as director Paul Greengrass and Bourne himself Matt Damon both announced they were done with the character. This year brought the franchise new life however, as the studio chose to branch off of the film, rather than rebooting it with a new lead. Jeremy Renner plays Aaron Cross, an agent not dissimilar to Bourne himself. The title of the film is rather apt, as the big question here is, does the film honor the legacy left by the films, or tarnish it? I give the answer after the jump.
     This is a film that parallels along with the events of the Bourne films, and for it ultimately to work, it has to be weaved in rather convincingly with the events taking place. There is an obvious synergy with the films present from the get go, as agents and operatives are abuzz dealing with the fallout of Bourne's actions. A distinctly knowledgeable feel emanates from the movie, and this is present likely due to Tony Gilroy at the helm directing, as he played a major role screenwriting in the past three films. This is rather important, as the film feels ingrained with the other three of the franchise. If it wasn't well integrated, the film would fall apart rather easily, but thankfully, this isn't the case.
     The story of Aaron Cross marks a new beginning, and has to be approached as such. There is a new chapter in the Bourne book to tell here, and this necessitates an introduction. This means we can't just jump right into this film, guns blazing as with the Bourne Supremacy and the Bourne Ultimatum, as a new leaf has to be turned. 
     Because of this, a lack of action is obvious in the beginning stretch of the film, as it has to explain itself. Fans expecting a full on fight-fest won't find the same level of action they've likely come to expect, and while it's hard not to feel let down, I'm glad the film took time to tell a compelling story instead of drowning in senseless violence, as it very well could of. Instead, the action in the film is like a good agent, resorting to fisticuffs only when necessary, when the timing is right. The action scenes are quite entertaining, and certainly worth the wait. While there is a bit of shaky cam, it's not in excess, and you don't sacrifice comprehension over intensity, as is unfortunately the usual case with shaky cam scenes. 
     One of the main reasons the film is tied so well to the others is the cohesion formed by Ed Norton in his role as Eric Byer. Norton does a good job as overseer of the entire operation, and bridges the gap between Bourne and Cross fairly well. Rachel Weisz is decent in the film as well, as though I felt her character was certainly the weakest. Many times it seemed her character simply existed as a necessity to Cross, and that the filmmakers simply re-purposed her throughout the film in order to suit his needs. 
     Renner however was simply spectacular, and most of the film's success rested on his shoulders. Thankfully he carried it with a noticeable excellence, and was able to not only make the film an honorable addition the the franchise, but also make it a testament to his own ease as a leading man.
     The Bourne Legacy never quite reaches the heights of brilliance that it's predecessors did, but it proves that while it's story may not follow Bourne himself, it's still one worth telling, a factor I had my doubts about. As a standalone film, Legacy is decent, but it's at it's best if you're already familiar with Bourne and his exploits, as the events taking place are ultimately an offshoot of his actions. While not perfect, The Bourne Legacy proved itself as a worthy installment in a franchise many had thought dead in the water, but Renner proves that Bourne, and his legacy, never die.