Bourne Legacy.

Tony Gilroy wrote the screenplays for the first three Bourne movies all based on Robert Ludlum's novels, and has now stepped up to direct, as well as write, the latest instalment The Bourne Legacy (2012). With the original actor leaving the series we have a different lead character, not Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) this time but Aaron Cross/Outcome 5. Replacing Damon with Jeremy Renner (Town 2010, The Hurt Locker 2008) has given a new lease of life to the franchise after the rather disappointing third film The Bourne Ultimatum (2007), whose plot line incidentally overlaps this new film.

Cross and the Doctor attempt to make their escape.

Following public exposure by a Guardian journalist of the Blackbriar and Treadstone programmes and the on going investigation involving CIA Deputy Director Pamela Landy (Joan Allen) and former director of Operation Blackbriar, Noah Vosen (David Strathairn) it's decided to close down the complete Treadstone programme. This programme involved setting up a trained genetically modified kill squad involving Outcome agents. Intelligence chief Eric Byer (Edward Norton) takes the decision to not only eliminate all its field operatives, which obviously involves Outcome 5, but also their scientific backup team which includes Dr Marta Shearing (Rachel Weiss).

A good all round action drama, which included a very exciting and well-staged James Bond style ‘chase’ through the crowded streets of Manila. Ideal for passing a couple of hours on a Friday evening, and dare I say that I found Renner’s portrayal of a Bourne agent much more convincing than the previous incumbent?