Tony Gilroy Picks a New CIA Top Agent (Gone Rogue, for a Legitimate Reason) in the "Bourne Legacy" (2012)

Of course, there is only one Jason Bourne and he is Matt Damon. And Jason Bourne will forever be Matt Damon. And Matt Damon will be missed. But that doesn't mean we need to dwell on Damon and not enjoy the new thrills. It doesn't mean that another CIA-trained agent cannot become as captivating and credible as a hero on his own term. Jeremy Renner delivers this credibility and bravery from the opening Alaska chilling visuals to the Manila action-packed motorcycle chase scene to the...well...you know, the very last idyllic, like-a-breeze-for-my-action-packed-scene-eyes-escapism-feels-the-best-after-life-endangering-times shot. Rachel Weisz immerses you immediately into the world of a committed scientist, who was (too naively) caught in an intelligence chase. Edward Norton is also a treat to watch as a CIA chief/director from headquarters, making tough decisions and mobilizing teams to find the target (you know, the usual tasks of the CIA chiefs). The plot is simple and that's part of the beauty of the Legacy. It involves enhanced mental and physical abilities, breakthrough genetic science, breakdown shootings or planted shootings (a short but extremely memorable performance by Zeljko Ivanek), classified CIA programs, a dissident who was quick to assess his trainers have turned to his enemy, CIA spy gone rogue, an alliance between an operative and a scientist. All mixed with the usual espionage/action thriller ingredients - jet-setting the camera to at least a few distant locations (here we have Alaska, DC, NY, London, Manila - a small subset - I said the plot is simple), a potential love interest/male-female alliance, the every minute and intelligence detail counts, car and motorcycle chases, HQ-driven action and tough decisions, a few twists, cover-ups and you are more than half-way there. Perhaps it's because I watched it on a plane, with no expectations, no advance viewing of the plot, but the simplicity and back to basics style of the new Bourne gave me the right amount of adrenaline and spy cinema.