Quite frankly, if there's a franchise that DIDN'T need a reboot or spin-off, it's the Bourne trilogy. It ended as great as it started.

These days I seriously think Hollywood lacks creativity. There are your little surprises that erupt every once in a while, but this constant need to be re-'Bourne' with templates of yesterday's hits needs to cease. I know it's all about money and passing-the-torch, however, if earned in a way which stems from a path of uniqueness and outstanding work, masses will demand that certain being. That said, I don't think one of our finest actors like Jeremy Renner needs to be thrown into a pit where he needs to work and/or live under the shadow of another - especially a fantastic talent in Matt Damon!

There isn't much to say about this "Bourne again" piece other than it's merely a light plotted film that dwells on Jason Bourne (Damon), while simultaneously introducing Aaron Cross (Renner).

Jason Bourne may not make an appearance, but it feels like a movie we’ve seen before. You know, shaky camera, extreme action, utter suspense and brutal scenes laced with lots of violence. The only thing that’s changed is its star, however, nothing more than a large amount of CIA secrecy pretty light on story-telling. Seriously...for a film that entails the abyss that is the CIA, it's a little weak.

As the lead of "The Bourne Legacy," Jeremy Renner is good and keeps his rugged attitude throughout the duration of the film, but Matt Damon he is not! Renner’s performance record in such films like "The Hurt Locker," "The Town," or even "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" sets this guy apart because he's doing his own thing. He's not carrying anyone's ball-sack trying to make himself look like someone else based on script and/or character. He's plainly Renner in "Hawk-eye" fashion, aiming and hitting bulls-eye after bulls-eye in all of his past films.

The question here is does Renner have what it takes to carry the franchise? I think he does. However, we'll need to see how and where they take it. The ending to this film hints at an obvious follow-up, so upon the next one if they can do away with the Bourne name and let him evolve, I think he'll be able to pull it off and become somewhat "co-owner" of the Bourne series.

In "The Bourne Legacy" as operative Aaron Cross, he can run, jump, fight and shoot with the best of them, but there's a certain charismatic "it-factor" I thought was missing. Where Damon was able to carry along lines between subtly and anxiety, Renner just seemed to flow right through. Perhaps it's something we may need to get use to, who knows.

Overall, is the movie bad? No. It's got enough to keep you seated, intrigued and rooting for the "good guy(s)," but it's not an affective piece. Time will only tell if this rebirth will grow up to be as big and strong as its predecessor.

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Grade: C+ / Genre: Sequel, Thriller / Rated: R / Run Time: 2 Hrs. 15 Min.
Starring: Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton, Joan Allen
Director: Tony Gilroy