THE BOURNE LEGACY

US, 2012, 135 minutes, Colour.
Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton, Stacy Keach, Scott Glenn, Zeljko Ivanek, Dennis Boutsikaris, Albert Finney, Oscar Isaac, David Strathairn, Shane Jacobson, Joan Allen.
Directed by Tony Gilroy.

Dramatically striking when spy chief, Edward Norton, declaims it, that the actions of his organization were ‘morally indefensible, absolutely necessary’, this phrase is a key quotation for appreciating what is happening in the Bourne films and so many other espionage stories. The final credits do remind us that the characters bear no resemblance to any person living or dead. But… While this all seems far-fetched, but…

Probably handy to do a bit of revision of the original trilogy if you have the time before seeing this one. It makes a number of references to previous operations with Jason Bourne, his alleged rogue behaviour, his minders (with glimpses of Albert Finney, Joan Allen, David Straithairn). There are several photos of Matt Damon’s Bourne.

However, this is the story of Aaron Cross, a specially trained operative and genetically modified agent. We see him on a survival exercise in Alaska, tough stuff. But, the chiefs are wanting to eliminate these agents and any trace of the doctors and labs for these modifications. But, like Jason Bourne, Aaron has quite a capacity for eluding death attempts (including some fascinating drone sequences), for taking on other identities and for going under the radar to escape detection. When there is a massacre in the lab, the surviving doctor, Rachel Weisz, goes on the run with Aaron whom she knew from chemical examinations.

The screenplay, by Tony Gilroy who wrote the previous Bourne films, requires a lot of attention to try to piece together what is going on, especially with the hard-bitten authorities. But it all comes together. And, for those who thought the film might have lacked action (except for Aaron surviving mountains, wolves and drones), the last half of the film has action a-plenty. The massacre in the lab is quite riveting. The attack on the doctor’s house is exciting. But, using the streets, buildings and roofs of Metro Manila, the long chase, on foot, by car, on motorbike should satisfy the fans. After all, that is what the movies, editing, musical score and pace, can do.

Jeremy Renner is quite effective as Aaron though he does not have the ironic smirks and tongue-in-cheek of Matt Damon. Rachel Weisz keeps up the pace as well. There are some interesting supporting roles, especially from Stacy Keach as the head of the CIA.

The final credit says that the film has been inspired by the books of Robert Ludlum. This one, with its worldwide conspiracies, rogue authorities and spies on the run, is certainly Ludlumesque.

1. The novels of Robert Ludlum? The film versions? The Bourne Trilogy? This film in the Ludlum tradition?

2. World conspiracies, espionage, American agencies? Control, minds and drugs, missions, weapons, secrecy?

3. The opening in Alaska? The vivid mountain photography? The contrast with Washington offices? Laboratories? American countryside and travelling through? The contrast with Manila, the use of Manila locations? The musical score?

4. The action sequences, stunt work, the effects?

5. The title, the focus on Jason Bourne, seeing photos of him, the reports in newspapers, his absence personally from the film? The clips of his previous associates?

6. The introduction to Aaron Cross, the demands on him in Alaska, timing and his mission, survival, the wolves, hardships on his body, arrival at the house, meeting the agent, their discussions, being wary, the mystery?

7. The CIA and the agencies, the range of personnel, the focus on Eric Byer, Retired Admiral Mark Turso? Their roles, secrecy? The personnel in the office, their various functions? Authority, secrecy and plans, their experiences, control, processing the elimination of the agents? Bourne as a rogue agent? Their decisions?

8. The plane in Alaska, Aaron and his shrewdness, getting out of the hut, the destruction of the hut, his survival instincts?

9. His moving to the south, the encounter with the doctor, his experience with her in terms of monitoring him? His finding her, arrival at her house? Her work, going to work, the personnel in the laboratory, the security, the secrecy, the encounter with the doctor and his going berserk? The massacre? Her hiding, survival? The vivid experience for the audience of this massacre?

10. Aaron’s history, his coming to the laboratory, Marta and her monitoring him? Her not knowing his name?

11. The role of the agents, the scenes of elimination of the agents? Aaron’s place on the list? The agents arriving at Marta’s house? Pleasant, the interrogation, their turning violent, Aaron and his arrival, the shootouts, the car, the escape?

12. Byer and his character, Turso? The role of surveillance?

13. Marta and Aaron, the information about the Philippines, getting to the airport, eluding the pursuers, cars and trains?

14. Getting on the plane, flying to the Philippines? The tickets, the cover, being on board?

15. The agencies and their resources for searching, tapes, surveillance? The huge screen, the personnel, working round the clock, studying the images, speculation? The discovery of Marta at the airport? The footage and the information? Arriving too late to stop the plane?

16. The contact with the Thai agent? The earlier deaths? His going to Manila?

17. Manila, the airport to the laboratory, the contacts, the security letting them in, the vast workplace, the tablets? The supervisor from Australia? The plausibility of this kind of factory? Aaron and Marta administering the remedy?

18. Going to the hotel, their experience in the laboratory, their almost being caught, using their skills to escape? Going to the hotel, Aaron and his state, gradually recovering? Marta going out to the shops?

19. The discovery by the Thai operative? The chase, the excitement, the role of the police, Aaron and his shrewdness? The use of the city landscapes, streets, markets, roofs? Vehicles? The bridge? The relentless pursuit of the Thai? The final confrontation and his defeat?

20. Aaron and Marta and their survival, the defeat of the plan of the authorities? The authorities and their reactions?

21. The authorities in the past, the glimpses, Bourne himself, the various agents who worked with him? The final arrival of Pam Landy, for the hearings, the investigations? The reactions to her presence?

22. Byer and his comments on the behaviour of the agencies being morally reprehensible but absolutely necessary?