I consider myself some kind of an expert on Jason Bourne, David Webb, Treadstone, Cover One, and all things Robert Ludlum, inspired or not. I think that's fair given that I have 40 Robert Ludlum or "inspired by" Robert Ludlum books in my book case, many of them having been read more than once.
So first things first. The Bourne Legacy has nothing to do with Jason Bourne. It is not even remotely similar to the Eric Van Lustbader novel by the same name, which of course, is the 4th of the Bourne series, and the first of the seven written by Lustbader.
However, here's the good news. The movie rocks. Totally. And I don't think I would be stretching it too much if I say that the movie is better than the Bourne trilogy so far, with Matt Damon as Jason.
Jeremy Renner plays Aaron Cross, a super-soldier developed as part of a top secret program aimed at genetically modifying the physical and neural structure of the subjects using a virus as the carrier agent. However, when Jason Bourne (never shown except as a picture of Matt Damon) threatens to expose the programme, orders are given to eliminate all traces - one by one, the soldiers are terminated - all, except Aaron. When a shoot out at the lab kills all but one doctors working on the project, Aaron knows he has to save her (Rachel Weisz as Dr Marta). They escape to Manila, with the CIA hot on their heels, where Aaron and Dr Marta manage to lay their hands on the live virus culture needed to free Aaron from further medications. There is only one tiny matter left to be sorted out - a super-assassin sent out to eliminate them.
The Legacy starts off slow, and the many characters and dialogues are difficult to comprehend - but once the stage is set for the chase, the action comes thick and fast. From gun battles to hand to hand combat, including one with a wolf, from UAVs to the hi-tech tracking gadgetry of the CIA, from foot chases on the shanty town roof tops of Manila to an adrenalin pumping bike chase through crowded streets, culminating in what has to be one of the best climax scenes of a chase, The Legacy is truly a Robert Ludlum inspiration of the highest level. Jeremy Renner acts and feels a lot more like Bourne than Matt Damon (who I always felt was a complete misfit; George Clooney would be so much more like Jason!), and Rachel Weisz is just perfect as his companion. The gadgetry, the tracking, the chase, even the viral infections and medications are presented and explained in a very easy-to-believe way, never crossing into the realm of the impossible.
Overall, an excellent action thriller, a package that Robert Ludlum fans will lap up with relish. A legacy well lived.
Oh and yes, do not miss the Ford Endeavour during the chase :)
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