Written by: Tony Gilroy & Dan Gilroy
Stars: Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton
Plot: An expansion of the universe from Robert Ludlum's novels, centered on a new hero whose stakes have been triggered by the events of the previous three films. (IMDB)
Tony Gilroy, the writer of the last 3 Bourne films, takes the helm to direct this 4th installment. The film is a little different than its precessedors, however, as Matt Damon is not a part of this film. He was replaced by Jeremy Renner. Apparently, the producers wanted to create a new character, but set in the same universe. By that, the events in this movie take place at the same time during the events in the previous movie "The Bourne Ultimatum", thus making this movie a spin-off to the Bourne trilogy. And while the film has elements that make it a decent follow-up to the Bourne legacy, the film doesn't quite work all that much as a stand-alone film.
Aaron Cross (Jeremy Renner) is a member of Operation Outcome, one of the Department of Defense's black ops programs, which provides its agents with green pills that enhance physical abilities and blue pills that enhance mental abilities. He is given the moniker of "Number Five" and is deployed to Alaska for a training assignment, where he meets another Outcome operative, Number Three (Oscar Isaac). Their exchange is initially intense, as Number Three questions Cross as to why he is two days ahead of schedule for their rendezvous. Cross explains to him that he had to take a shortcut through a mountain ridge after having lost his chems while pursued by wolves, along with the requisite bloodwork he draws on schedule to send back to Outcome for analysis.
Meanwhile, Jason Bourne is in New York City exposing Operation Blackbriar and the Treadstone Project, leading to CIA Deputy Director Pamela Landy (Joan Allen) and Operation Blackbriar supervisor Noah Vosen (David Strathairn) being investigated by the FBI. Upon learning of this, CIA Director Ezra Kramer (Scott Glenn), also under investigation, calls Eric Byer (Edward Norton), a retired USAF Colonel responsible for overseeing the CIA's clandestine operations, for help. To eliminate evidence of the Blackbriar program, Byer decides to eliminate all Outcome assets. He orders new meds distributed to the agents, a triangular yellow pills that unknown to them kills them within a few hours.
Cross escapes from harm's way, and runs into Dr. Marta Shearing (Rachel Weisz), who tells him that he was genetically modified to retain the benefits of the green pills without need of continuous consumption, a process they call "viralling off". Because he hasn't taken a blue pill in several days, Cross realizes that he will soon lose his mental enhancement. He then convinces Shearing to travel to Manila with him, as the pills are manufactured there, in the hopes of being able to viral off the blue pills in the same manner he did the green.
The film contains all the fun from the original Bourne films, but the film lacks Jason Bourne himself. He's only visible through photos on the walls and news screens. Also, the first half of the film does falter a little bit. The film moves at a slow pace during the first 30 or so minutes, and it does take a while to pick up the pace. That, combined with the lack of Damon, make the film less enjoyable than the others. Jeremy Renner holds his own, though, as he is great in the role of the new character. He carries the same demenor of his character from The Hurt Locker in the role, and he pulls it off. Rachel Weisz is equally good, playing his counterpart and romantic interest (?). The film has 3 chase scenes, one in particular involving a motorcycle chase through Manila. It is also nice to see cameos from other Bourne characters, such as Noah Vosen, and Pamela Landy. Oscar Isaac is great, although his part in the movie is brief. Edward Norton is also good in the film, playing the villain. The cinematography is good as well, although it lacks the documentary-style filmmaking of the previous films.
Overall, the fourth installment of the Bourne films is a decent film. Just don't expect it to shine like the other ones.
7/10
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