Thanks to Nuffnang and Mandaue Foam, D and I was able to watch for free the much-awaited fourth installment of the Bourne series - The Bourne Legacy. I was supposed to watch it with my best friend but the screening was moved so she couldn't make it. :( But let me tell you, the movie is more like a side story or a full spin-off with a new character called Aaron Cross. No Matt Damon on the movie besides some photos of him and references to the previous movies.

I think I've watched the previous movies before, but I can't really remember what had happened. All I know is that Matt Damon starred the previous films, he has this kind of amnesia and the movies are spy-thriller action movies. So The Bourne Legacy is all new to me. Of course I was so excited to see the film because most of the action-packed scenes were shot here in Manila. I guess everyone is as excited as me to see the streets of Manila on the big screen.

The narrative architect behind the Bourne film series, Tony Gilroy, takes the helm in the next chapter of the hugely popular espionage franchise that has earned almost $1 billion at the global box office: The Bourne Legacy. The writer/director 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.

For The Bourne Legacy, Renner joins fellow series newcomers Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton, Stacy Keach and Oscar Isaac, while franchise veterans Albert Finney, Joan Allen, David Strathairn and Scott Glenn reprise their roles. (from their official website)

First of all, I don't want to be such a spoiler. haha I don't really make movie reviews but sometimes I just have to post what I thought about the movie. As I've mentioned, I was quite excited to see the film especially  that first time when I learned that the film was shot here in our dearest country. This is new. Although I'm guessing a lot of Hollywood films have also been shot here, it's special because it was really mentioned and acknowledged in the film that the protagonists are going to "Manila". And when Rachel Weisz said "In Manila" for the first time, people inside the movie house buzzed and I felt the excitement as we wait them to land in Manila.

Photo from Hypable

I see mixed reviews about the movie. That it lacks the brilliance of the previous movies in the series is one of them. I'll be biased here because Jeremy Renner is the star of the film! haha Besides the sexy body and that action star face, he did quite well here. I admit at first I was so confused. I couldn't understand what this program Treadstone is all about and the significance of the previous stories to what's happening now. Eventually I was able to catch up and understand what's going on.

Renner plays Aaron Cross, one of the agents within the program where they take blue and green pills to enhance their physical and mental abilities. Rachel Weisz plays the role of Dr. Marta Shearing, one of the scientists that supervises check ups for the agents. Then comes Eric Byer played by Edward Norton who decided to terminate the agents of the program including the scientists. Fortunately, Cross and Shearing survived the assassination then they later fled to Manila to viral off Cross from the meds.

So there they went to Manila and got chased by everyone! haha That was actually a long chase sequence. We see the crowded streets of Manila, the jeepneys, the heavy traffic and all. But then the pride is there. We saw the familiar faces of our great Indie actors in the movie. The actors did a great job. I really admire Rachel Weisz' acting here. Also Jeremy Renner! I was obsessing over him last night and watched behind the scene videos until I felt sleepy. haha : )

The last part which was shot in Palawan is beautiful. But then the ending... how come I felt so bitin and the movie just stopped and the credits start to appear on the screen? Well, let's see for the sequel. Overall, I enjoyed the movie and seeing Manila and Palawan in the big screen! And of course Jeremy Renner. : )