2.5/5 Stars
The film takes place
during the same time as the climax of the third Bourne film, ‘The Bourne Ultimatum’.
Jason Bourne’s (Matt Damon) public exposure at the end of that film had its repercussions.
This action sparked an outrage that threatened to burn down years of research
and development into building of efficient spies and warriors. Following Jason
Bourne’s dismemberment of Operation Blackbriar, the CIA tries to do away with
their other black ops programs as well, which also includes the execution of
their field agents. At the helm of this termination operation is ret. Colonel
Eric Byer, the director of a black-line agency, NRAG (National Research Assay
Group). Byer, responsible for building the various programs, feels threatened
as the CIA fails to contain Bourne, and that Treadstone’s fall will expose the
close working relationship between two of his chief medical directors.
Academy-award-winning actress Rachel
Weisz too, is spot-on with her acting. Her character was not very well written
but Rachel does do justice even with the limited opportunity.
With a new protagonist
in Jeremy Renner, this is the fourth film in the Bourne film franchise.
There’s a lot of
action on display here. Sadly, not much substance!
The film takes place
during the same time as the climax of the third Bourne film, ‘The Bourne Ultimatum’.
Jason Bourne’s (Matt Damon) public exposure at the end of that film had its repercussions.
This action sparked an outrage that threatened to burn down years of research
and development into building of efficient spies and warriors. Following Jason
Bourne’s dismemberment of Operation Blackbriar, the CIA tries to do away with
their other black ops programs as well, which also includes the execution of
their field agents. At the helm of this termination operation is ret. Colonel
Eric Byer, the director of a black-line agency, NRAG (National Research Assay
Group). Byer, responsible for building the various programs, feels threatened
as the CIA fails to contain Bourne, and that Treadstone’s fall will expose the
close working relationship between two of his chief medical directors.
Hence, he has to
sacrifice Outcome. Contrary to CIA’s Treadstone, Outcome agents have been
developed and trained by the Department of Defense. Aaron Cross (Jeremy Renner) is
one of six agents in the Outcome. Cross escapes from being executed and, with
the help of an Outcome scientist Dr. Marta Shearing (Rachel Weisz), sets out to
expose the crimes of his superiors.
There are flaws in the plot of every action film. However,
the plot itself should be engaging enough for the viewers to ignore the plot
holes. There is no real ‘antagonist’ in the film. Edward Norton’s character
would qualify as one, but then his character isn’t menacing enough. The film,
despite having multiple side-tracks, fails to substantiate a basic premise. During
the major part of the first half, the film shuffles between several places such
as Chicago, Moscow, Pakistan, and Seoul etc. There is a glimmer of hope just before the
mid-way mark, when Dr. Marta Shearing is attacked by assassins pretending to be
investigators, as a part of the clearing-up operation by the CIA. One does feel
that the battle-lines have been drawn. However, nothing really happens
henceforth. Just a whole lot of action!
The performances by the
cast are terrific. Usually, you do find mainstream popular actors sleepwalking
through ‘espionage’ films but there’s serious talent on display here. Jeremy
Renner of ‘The Avengers’ fame impresses and how! He is intimidating while doing
action and subversive while doing drama notwithstanding the marvelous screen
presence. One does miss Matt Damon in a Bourne film, but Jeremy is a worthy
replacement. Despite the intense looks and the brooding eyes, the actor has got
the swagger to pull off an engaging performance.
Academy-award-winning actress Rachel
Weisz too, is spot-on with her acting. Her character was not very well written
but Rachel does do justice even with the limited opportunity.
With such brilliant
performances, one wonders why the film went haywire. It’s the lackluster
writing that lets the film down. No matter how many breathtaking action
sequences you fill in a film, you do need a basic and understandable plot to
make it work. Writers Tony
Gilroy and Dan Gilroy fail to retain the soul of the previous Bourne films.
Director Tony Gilroy has packed the film with picturesque locations,
mind-blowing action and superlative performances, but he could have done better
with a well-defined story line.
Watch it for the
amazing performances by the cast (Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz and Edward
Norton) and the exceptional visuals (action and cinematography)! Nothing much
else on offer here! (First Posted in MSN)
Shivom Oza
Renner is no Matt Damon, but he brings a certain type of edge to Aaron Cross that makes him different from Jason Bourne. Not saying that it’s a good thing or bad thing, just a very good idea that Gilroy uses here and it helps the film out in the long-run. Good review Shivom.
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