Bourne Legacy, The (12/11/2012)

Rated PG-13 for violence and action sequences.

Starring Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz and Edward Norton

Directed by Tony Gilroy (Duplicity and Michael Clayton)

This franchise was just Bourne-Again.

In The Bourne Legacy, writer/director Tony GIlroy expands the Bourne universe created by Robert Ludlum with an original story that introduces us to a new hero (Jeremy Renner) whose life-or-death stakes have been triggered by the events of the first three films.

When I heard they were making a fourth Bourne movie with Matt Damon…AND without Jason Bourne, I had no interest in seeing it. Then I heard Jeremy Renner was in it and thought, “OK maybe”. Then I read the tag line: “There was never just one” and I knew I would be seeing it opening weekend.

Well, Jeremy Renner and writer/director Tony GIlroy did not disappoint. From leading roles in The Hurt Locker and support roles in this summer’s biggest hit, The Avengers, Jeremy Renner is quickly gaining Hollywood’s attention and some great roles. He effortlessly carries this film as Aaron Cross – a super strong and super smart spy. As far as the rest of the cast, there are some new faces including Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton, Stacy Keach and Oscar Isaac, and they were all really great.

And Tony GIlroy kept the action fast and furious while introducing us to a new character and telling us a new story – not the easiest of tasks.

So lets talk about the action. All I’m going to say is if you love the action sequences that made the Bourne movies so popular, then you are going to love The Bourne Legacy. There are chase scenes where the characters are on foot, in cars and on motorcycles – all very fun and exciting.

As far as the story, the movie opens on a very familiar image and there are some familiar faces (Albert Finney, Joan Allen, David Strathairn and Scott Glenn reprise their roles), but this is a new story. It’s not a remake or even a pure sequel, this is fresh and well done.

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
There’s no sex or nudity in The Bourne Legacy and the profanity is on the mild side with one F-word, a few S-words.

This is a PG-13 acton film so you can expect continuous violence. There are some brutal fight scenes with guns and fists.

CONVERSATION STARTER

1. Would you ever want to be a soldier? Why or why not?


2. What do you think of Aaron Cross as a soldier?


3. Read Ephesians 6:10-18
   10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
   
   According to that passage we are all soldiers. So what kind of soldier have you been?


4. What can you do this week to become a better soldier for Jesus?
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