French Poster for 'The Bourne Legacy'

Nice. Better than ours.

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'The Bourne Legacy' Featurette -- Not That That's a Bad Thing...

Okay, this is starting to look a tad glossy. Not that that's a bad thing -- you get what you paid for: Popcorn, a well-made flick, a fun time at the movies. But, I'm not getting the sense this will be what 'Identity' was. Not that that's a bad thing ('Identity' was pretty strong).

All they have to do with 'Legacy' is not drop the ball and they look to have enough new stuff, new hooks, with the genetic alteration that yields a super-agent and whatnot, to keep the franchise moving forward.

The logical next step (duh) is a Bourne with both Jeremy Renner and Matt Damon. Then, when the dust settles, see about putting a bow on things with a killer last installment that will enable everyone to hold their heads high.

Right now, it's looking like 'Legacy', despite action sequences by writer-turned-director Tony Gilroy that aren't the smoothest, holds up its end of the the bargain and moves all the pegs forward one space.

Featurette is fair, though I don't quite buy what it's selling. New footage and a couple new plot elements.




















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New Clips from 'The Bourne Legacy'

I like these better than the action/fight/chase clips we've gotten. 























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New 'Bourne Legacy' Clip Just About Jumps the Shark

Poor inserts, crunchy editing, and stunts that either disregard the laws of physics or take advantage of a series of (traffic?) ramps which are fortunately placed just so, though not seen -- I found myself stifling giggles. Writer-turned-director Tony Gilroy does his best to emulate Doug Liman's style -- the guy redefined the car chase sequence in 'Identity' -- however Gilroy's work just doesn't flow.

Good thing: it doesn't reflect at all on the rest of the movie...I hope.

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New Poster for 'The Bourne Legacy'

Well, not so great. And, I just got through saying this flick couldn't look uncool.

Just too artsy, conceptual, something. Not right for this type flick.

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Homage Poster for 'The Bourne Legacy'

Here's a fun game: Determine the influences of this poster.

Wait, wait, don't tell me!

There a bit of 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.'

There's no missing that 70s spy flick influence, like the popular cross-hair rifle sight motif used in the poster for (the 1973 version of) 'The Day of the Jackal'.

Which was, of course, based on Frederick Forsyth's novel of the same title, which used the same motif on its cover.

The 'jumping man' element, though -- can't place that. What movie poster used that? It's reminiscent of this kind of thing.

 
I'm drawing a blank on the interlaced letters of the words in the title -- where does that come from? That's more of a 50s or 60s thing.

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New TV Spot for 'The Bourne Legacy'

Very nice new visuals. Original take on this character type. Very fresh.






















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International Poster for 'The Bourne Legacy'

I'm starting to think Legacy can't look uncool.

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Jeremy Renner/Bourne Legacy Covers Empire in August

There's another standard-issue garish version if you're interested. Gotta say, nice job. Looks good.

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New Trailer for 'The Bourne Legacy' Drops a Huge Reveal

When it comes to this property you have to wonder how each installment will compare to what came before, especially when you switch out the lead actor. How, for instance, will they keep fight scenes and car chases fresh? New trailer gives us a taste of it and they did a pretty damn good job.

We also get a plot/backstory bombshell.

iTunes has it in very nice looking hi-def


















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International Teaser Trailer for 'The Bourne Legacy'

Don't think there's new footage but worth a look.


















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Ultra-Sharp Trailer for 'The Bourne Legacy'

Have to admit, a bit gutsy for an American trailer, refreshing. The evolution of Jeremy Renner's character, starting as a beat up and shaken hardly recognizable guy, to the sharp-eyed Aaron Cross is effective -- loads up backstory with little dialogue and strong visuals. I especially like, at :40, the doctor looking at Cross' hand saying 'that healed quick'. You gotta wonder.

If the movie plays as well as this trailer we're in for another evolution in the action genre. What Matt Damon accomplished in the first films -- the distance he put between himself and the conventions of previous action/spy flicks -- Jeremy Renner does the same here. Great action, deep character. The franchise sets the bar higher (again). Not bad.













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Poster for 'The Bourne Legacy'

Very, very nice.

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A Fourth Bourne?

The trilogy of books written by Robert Ludlum which feature Jason Bourne has been made into some of the best thrillers of the genre: The Bourne Identity, Supremacy, and Ultimatum (currently in productatum) all starring Matt Damon as the down-to-earth spy who is constantly in peril. Anne Thompson ran into Ultimatum director Paul Greengrass who, among other things, says Bourne will survive Ultimatum to face bad guys in a fourth Bourne movie. So...Ludlum writes three Bourne novels but a fourth movie is tentatively good to go -- I had to check this out.

Sure enough there is not only a fourth Bourne novel but a fifth as well -- both written by thriller veteran Eric Van Lustbader (I've read his The Ninja -- it moves along with conviction [and according to Lustbader's website is being adapted for the screen by 20th Century Fox with a script due in months]). The next Bourne movie, should there be one, is The Bourne Legacy. The fifth novel, not yet finished, has a working title of The Bourne Trajectory (that will have to be changed for a movie, sorry).

As long as they can keep the quality of the material top-notch, I'm all for more Bourne stories. Bond may have been the thing way back when, but he's a bit superficial (as well a sexist in a backwards way) today -- Bourne has much broader appeal and audiences connect with Damon. Rock on Jason (and hope you work out that memory thing).