The next set of reviews we’ll be publishing are some of the ones Roger Thomas has done exclusively for The Stanly News & Press. Roger has written movie reviews for The Stanly News & Press and other outlets for years, long before starting this blog. So we decided it would be good to give readers a sample of his previous work, in addition to posts of reviews of current films. Other reviews will run daily.
Jeremy Renner as Aaron Cross
There is a television ad for “The Bourne Legacy” that quotes a film critic who has said of the film, “It is the best Bourne yet.” Oddly, the same thought runs through my head every time I hear those words: “Really. Can you even remember the first three?”
I have to confess that I cannot. I saw each of the “Bourne” films once, in the theater. I have never watched any of the films a second time in the theater or on DVD. That is not to say that I did not like the first three films. My memory is that I enjoyed each of them at the time I saw it. They held my attention. The stories of each film were compelling enough to involve me at the moment. And each of them had incredibly orchestrated action sequences. No doubt about it. But here’s the thing, after seeing the film, I did not think a lot about it again.
That is not necessarily a criticism. “Bourne” films are great escapist entertainment. They take your mind away from the pressures of life for a couple of hours. And very often that is enough. Some would even say that is the primary purpose for films. I would disagree. Great films are works of art, achievements of craftsmanship. But many films neither strive for nor attain a level of greatness. And escapist films serve a purpose.
I should also point out, the “Bourne” films have demonstrated a high level craftsmanship in certain areas. The third film, “The Bourne Ultimatum”, was nominated for three Oscars and won all of them: Film Editing, Sound Editing and Sound Mixing. My point is not that the films are poorly made or uninteresting, but rather, that they are not moving, clever or inspired in a way that makes one remember them.
It has been five years since the last “Bourne” film, and when this new one made reference to past events, I could only vaguely recall of what the characters were speaking. I also miss Jason Bourne, who is only referenced here. Jeremy Renner as Aaron Cross gets the job done. Renner is a fine actor who earned an Oscar nomination for “The Hurt Locke”, but here he seemed a little too much like a superhero. (He was as superhero early in 2012 with “The Avengers.)” Matt Damon’s “Bourne” seemed more average man until he did something amazing.
This “Bourne” also seemed to talk more than the others. Maybe I am wrong about that. Again, five years with no “Bourne” film watching may be affecting my perspective. However, it did seem that the action sequences were spaced out with a lot of talk, some of it more interesting than others.
Ultimately, when the action was up on the screen, it was rarely disappointing. The finale chase sequence is especially pleasing. The shoot-out in the lab was quite menacing as well. There is enough pleasing sequences here to recommend the film, I am just not sure anyone will remember the movie a week after seeing it. And again, that is ok. I do not regret seeing the film, and if you liked the first three, as I did, you will most likely enjoy this one as well.
And one final note: the film is entitled “The Bourne Legacy.” The title comes from the fact that Cross is a product of the experiments which began with Jason Bourne. (At least I think this is right.) But in the real world there is a greater legacy of the “Bourne” films. The re-vamping of the James Bond series with “Casino Royale” (2006) came after the success of the first two “Bourne” films (“Identity” and “Supremacy”) in 2002 and 2004 respectively. I had all but given up on James Bond before 2006 and have no doubt that the “Bourne” films, which were better than any Bond film for almost two decades, greatly influenced the new more serious and realistic version of Bond. I now like Bond again, and I like him more than “Bourne.” But I recognize that “Bourne” played a role in making Bond better, and that is truly a great legacy.
Box Office results
Domestic gross: $113,203,870
Foreign gross: $162,940,880
Production budget: $125 million
Opening weekend: $38,142,825
NOTE: Information from Boxofficemojo.com
Cinema Corner 