The Bourne Legacy

 

STARRING: Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton, Oscar Isaac
DIRECTOR: Tony Gilroy (CERT 12A, 135 minutes)

The plot: After Matt Damon and director Paul Greengrass opted to bail after the third Bourne film, Universal had a poser: how, credibly, to continue the series? The Bourne Legacy promotes screenwriter Tony Gilroy to the director’s chair, and casts Renner as enhanced soldier Aaron Cross, developed under a sibling covert programme called Outcome. With the fallout from Jason Bourne threatening to shine a media light on these murky activities, agency string puller Eric Bryer (Norton) opts to wipe out all the operatives and the scientists who upgraded them.

What’s right with it? After an exposition-heavy start, the film finds its wholly compelling heart when Cross, having escaped the drone rockets fired at him, teams up with Dr Marta Shearing (Weisz), a scientist who is one of his few regular contacts. It should be no surprise that Gilroy (multiple Oscar-nominated Michael Clayton excels with elements such as character and human drama. As a deadly black-ops team descends on Shearing’s home, and she must decide who to trust, tension rises.

What’s wrong with it? Greengrass’ Bourne movies pulled off the rare feat of telling story through constant action. Gilroy can’t manage that giddy synthesis, and Bourne fans might be frustrated by dialogue-heavy segments between the fighting. And the action climax in Manila isn’t among the franchise’s best.

Verdict: A brainy conspiracy thriller anchored by intense performances, this film succeeds in its own terms. As a sequel
to the visceral, propulsive The Bourne Ultimatum, it might not be what you were hoping for. 3/5 @charlesgant
 

The Wedding Video

 

STARRING: Rufus Hound, Lucy Punch, Robert Webb
DIRECTOR: Nigel Cole (CERT 15, 94 minutes)

The plot: When Raif (Hound) returns from travelling to be best man at brother Tim’s (Webb) nuptials, his wedding gift is a film charting the run-up to the big day. But Raif and Tim’s fiancée, former bad-girl Saskia (Punch), have history…

What’s right with it? The craziness of weddings may be an easy target, but it’s inventively skewered here, and Harriet Walter as Saskia’s nouveau riche mum is a hoot. Punch is great, of course, but the big surprise is charming, sweetly funny Hound.

What’s wrong with it? Why is feisty, rebellious Saskia engaged to nice-but-dull Tim? The film offers no clue.

Verdict: Great, a flick starring one of those smug TV panel-show guys. Surprise: The Wedding Video is much better than you’re thinking. 4/5 @charlesgant
 

Brave

 

VOICES: Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson
DIRECTORS: Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman (CERT PG, 100 minutes)

The plot: In medieval Scotland, princess Merida (Macdonald) refuses to marry any of the suitors lined up for her, much to the frustration of her mother (Thompson). When a witch offers Merida one wish, she makes a hasty decision she soon regrets.

What’s right with it? This animation has feisty female characters and a few funny ones too, from the booming, boozy King (Connolly) to his triplet sons, who dart around the palace causing mischief. It also looks fantastic, especially in 3D.

What’s wrong with it? The story isn’t particularly exciting and the humour isn’t as clever or layered as the likes of other recent Pixar films like WALL-E and Up.

Verdict: A sweet but fairly generic Disney princess film: definitely one for the kids. 3/5 @annasmithjourno