The Bourne Legacy

Rachel Weisz is married to Daniel Craig. Craig is Bond. Weisz is the scientist forced to go on the run with Bourne’s replacement hero, Cross in this addition to the Bourne series..  Bond was rebooted, re-invented as a direct result of the Bourne franchise.  Paul Greengrass, with his crisp, clear directing and ability to put the viewer directly in the action, showed the tired Bond franchise how it could, how it should, be done.

 

And now, this latest addition to the Bourne, ahem, legacy, seems to be a throwback to the pre-Craig Bond, with comic book action that seems as unlikely as Matt Damon ever returning.

 

For a long time, nothing much happens. There are long, sedate scenes that cry out for Greengrass's assured touch to move things along.  When, finally, the pace picks up, we are presented with a hero about whom we care very little; Renner's Cross is all too aware of his abilities - reliant though they may be on 'chems' (please!) - and lacks Jason Bourne's vulnerability, sensitivity and, often surprise at what he finds he can do.  This arrogant, robotic hero is not a hero to warm to. 

 

The action sequences, in particular the chase scenes, sacrifice the visceral, swirling, roller-coaster dread and wonder, for Bond-like ridiculousness.   Gilroy's directing is flawed and anxious; he is too worried that we will see that none of this is possible, and so cuts away too soon.  Greengrass, by contrast, made us feel it was all possible, all credible.

 

And that's the real problem here; the complete lack of credibility. Shame on Gilroy. Shame for us.  Bourne showed Bond the way, and has now sunk back, like a dog that barked at it’s master, leaving Bond out in front.  Weisz must have gone home and told Craig, 'don't worry darling, we messed up, Skyfall will rip this one to shreds'.