The Bourne Legacy

Follow @empiremagazine

Forum Home

Register for Free!

Log In

Moderator Tickets

FAQ

Users Online

The Bourne Legacy

Logged in as: Guest

Printable Version

All Forums >> [Film Forums] >> Film Reviews >> The Bourne Legacy

Page: [1] 2 3 next > >>

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

The Bourne Legacy - 10/8/2012 11:58:05 AM

Empire Admin

Posts: 26526
Joined: 29/6/2005

Post your comments on this article

Post #: 1

RE: - 10/8/2012 12:15:13 PM

AxlReznor

Posts: 1095
Joined: 2/12/2010
From: Great Britain

I was skeptical the moment they announced a Bourne movie without Bourne in it. The trailers did look pretty damn good, though. And for the first time since the original, the movie had a title that meant something (there was no supremacy in The Bourne Supremacy, and no ultimatum in The Bourne Ultimatum).
I'm back to being skeptical now, though. Hopefully I'll enjoy the film more than the reviewers seem to have.

_____________________________

"It's amazing how many supposed 'plot holes' turn out to now be plot holes if you'd just pay attention", Me

Post #: 2

RE: 2 stars? As good as Step Up 4?? - 10/8/2012 12:34:14 PM

Harry Tuttle

Posts: 7625
Joined: 12/11/2005
From: Sometime in the future.

quote:

ORIGINAL: walterwhite52

This review does not surprise me at all; Empire's reviews have continuously missed the mark for a while a now, they gave the Dark Knight Rises 5 stars but upon reading the review they struggled to find praise in a movie that was a mess and did nothing but ruin an entire trilogy! Prometheus was at least a 4 star movie and got 3!
Ive almost stopped reading Empire reviews because of this and ive been reading for ove ten years! il be going to see this with an open mind as usual and then il re read this review, sort it out Empire!

Yeah Empire, sort it out and tailor your reviews to match walterwhite52's opinions damnit.

_____________________________

Acting...Naturaaal

Your knowledge of scientific biological transmogrification is only outmatched by your zest for kung-fu treachery!

Blood Island. So called because it's the exact shape of some blood

Post #: 3

RE: 2 stars? As good as Step Up 4?? - 10/8/2012 12:37:24 PM

waltham1979

Posts: 1033
Joined: 18/3/2008
From: San-Diago, which is German for 'Whales virgina'...

quote:

ORIGINAL: Harry Tuttle

quote:

ORIGINAL: walterwhite52

This review does not surprise me at all; Empire's reviews have continuously missed the mark for a while a now, they gave the Dark Knight Rises 5 stars but upon reading the review they struggled to find praise in a movie that was a mess and did nothing but ruin an entire trilogy! Prometheus was at least a 4 star movie and got 3!
Ive almost stopped reading Empire reviews because of this and ive been reading for ove ten years! il be going to see this with an open mind as usual and then il re read this review, sort it out Empire!

Yeah Empire, sort it out and tailor your reviews to match walterwhite52's opinions damnit.

_____________________________

It's a funny world we live in. Speaking of which, do you know how I got these scars?

(in reply to Harry Tuttle)

Post #: 4

RE: 2 stars? As good as Step Up 4?? - 10/8/2012 12:40:34 PM

AxlReznor

Posts: 1095
Joined: 2/12/2010
From: Great Britain

In response to the title of your reply, I have to point out that if you bothered to read the thread entitled "Please Read Before Posting" before posting, you'd have seen this...

quote:

The star rating system, as has been continually and repeatedly said, is not comparative. If a film gets 3 stars, then it achieved 3/5 of its potential. Not all 3 star films are going to be absolutely equal because, well, that would be silly. There are thousands of films, and only 5 stars: film quality will vary wildly within each star rating.

Pretty simple, and obvious to anyone with a hint of common sense. It's actually a shame that it has to be repeatedly stated.

_____________________________

"It's amazing how many supposed 'plot holes' turn out to now be plot holes if you'd just pay attention", Me

Post #: 5

RE: Close to giving up - 10/8/2012 1:16:16 PM

BelfastBoy

Posts: 459
Joined: 30/11/2005

Wow Ian Nathan, don't hold back now, tell us what you really think of the film!

Verdict not really surprising though. Although the Damon films had pretty meaningless titles, they at least had Jason Bourne in them! To me it was a clear case of the studio missing the point about the franchise's biggest assets (Damon, Greengrass), but trying to carry on regardless. But then without the tenuous connection to the earlier films, Legacy would just be a generic spy thriller.

Post #: 6

RE: Close to giving up - 10/8/2012 1:36:18 PM

Super Hans

Posts: 2307
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Watford

quote:

ORIGINAL: DPHC1

I've been reading Empire for over 20 years now. My brother bought me the first edition in July 1989 and I've bought every copy since November 1990. However I'm close to giving up on the quality of the reviews. I've found over the last couple of years that almost every time Empire does large articles covering the making of a films due to be released later that year, when the films comes out the reviews trash the films. I was shocked to see Dark Knight got five stars. I was expecting it to get three at the most. Not because of the quality of the film but because of the amount of coverage Empire gave it during its making. Look how much coverage the magazine gave Prometheus, then when the film comes out it only gets three stars. The more coverage Empire gives a film while it's being filmed.

I think Empire giving the film two stars means I want to see the film more than if they'd given it five.

You are aware that it's possible that a film can be highly anticipated but disappointing upon delivery (TO SOME, I should add), aren't you? This could explain the strange turn of events you describe regarding Prometheus.

_____________________________

"Its staring at you in the face Mark, there's only one more sex to try..."

Post #: 7

RE: Close to giving up - 10/8/2012 1:41:07 PM

AxlReznor

Posts: 1095
Joined: 2/12/2010
From: Great Britain

Empire gives most coverage to the movies that most people want to read about. Another point that I thought would be pretty obvious. It's not their fault if when they're eventually finished, they're disappointed by them. I actually thought Prometheus was brilliant and one of the highlights of the year, but I'm not going to begrudge someone else thinking differently, unless they've made it clear they didn't actually pay attention when watching.

_____________________________

"It's amazing how many supposed 'plot holes' turn out to now be plot holes if you'd just pay attention", Me

(in reply to BelfastBoy)

Post #: 8

RE: 2 stars? As good as Step Up 4?? - 10/8/2012 1:45:01 PM

chris kilby

Posts: 1189
Joined: 31/3/2010

quote:

ORIGINAL: Harry Tuttle

quote:

ORIGINAL: walterwhite52

This review does not surprise me at all; Empire's reviews have continuously missed the mark for a while a now, they gave the Dark Knight Rises 5 stars but upon reading the review they struggled to find praise in a movie that was a mess and did nothing but ruin an entire trilogy! Prometheus was at least a 4 star movie and got 3!
Ive almost stopped reading Empire reviews because of this and ive been reading for ove ten years! il be going to see this with an open mind as usual and then il re read this review, sort it out Empire!

Yeah Empire, sort it out and tailor your reviews to match walterwhite52's opinions damnit.

Don't understand why people get all het up about reviews - especially reviews of movies they haven't even seen yet. They're just opinions and we all know what they're like - no, not fanboys... Close, though. Real close.

I'm still going to see this. I might like it. I might not. But I'm a big (fan)boy now and am perfectly capable of making my own mind up without being swayed by anyone else. And I've been reading EMPIRE since Issue #2 - it had Batman on the cover! Four stars, if I remember right. Which seems a bit generous in retrospect. Isn't 20/20 hindsight wonderful?

Yup, more than twenty years now (ULP!) and I haven't ever been tempted to cancel my subscription once. (If I had a subscription!) Not even when it gave Brazil 2 stars. 2 measly stars! Or the late Tom Hibbert said 007 had a "licence to bore," and gave Star Wars (yes, Star Wars) a begrudging - wait for it - 3 stars! I know - hard to believe, isn't it? Them were the days. At least EMPIRE had the balls to be embarrassed about the Brazil SNAFU years later when it published its first ever Top 100...

< Message edited by chris kilby -- 10/8/2012 2:09:12 PM >

(in reply to Harry Tuttle)

Post #: 9

RE: Close to giving up - 10/8/2012 1:58:03 PM

chris kilby

Posts: 1189
Joined: 31/3/2010

quote:

ORIGINAL: DPHC1

I've been reading Empire for over 20 years now. My brother bought me the first edition in July 1989 and I've bought every copy since November 1990. However I'm close to giving up on the quality of the reviews. I've found over the last couple of years that almost every time Empire does large articles covering the making of a films due to be released later that year, when the films comes out the reviews trash the films. I was shocked to see Dark Knight got five stars. I was expecting it to get three at the most. Not because of the quality of the film but because of the amount of coverage Empire gave it during its making. Look how much coverage the magazine gave Prometheus, then when the film comes out it only gets three stars. The more coverage Empire gives a film while it's being filmed.

I think Empire giving the film two stars means I want to see the film more than if they'd given it five.

Bye, then. Don't let the door hit on the ass on your way out.

(Personally I think it behoves EMPIRE that it doesn't let access/coverage cloud its judgement one way or t'other. Surely the more access EMPIRE gets the more you'd expect it to give the movie in question a free ride? So your point makes no sense. I used to get a bit suspicious if a movie got a high rating when there were a lot of related freebies being given away as competition prizes. I still value my Casino Royale DVD, BTW, bought and paid for with the HMV voucher I got for getting a letter printed years ago!)

< Message edited by chris kilby -- 10/8/2012 2:03:53 PM >

Post #: 10

RE: Close to giving up - 10/8/2012 2:06:29 PM

chris kilby

Posts: 1189
Joined: 31/3/2010

quote:

ORIGINAL: AxlReznor

Empire gives most coverage to the movies that most people want to read about. Another point that I thought would be pretty obvious. It's not their fault if when they're eventually finished, they're disappointed by them. I actually thought Prometheus was brilliant and one of the highlights of the year, but I'm not going to begrudge someone else thinking differently, unless they've made it clear they didn't actually pay attention when watching.

Couldn't agree more.

(in reply to AxlReznor)

Post #: 11

RE: Close to giving up - 10/8/2012 2:13:36 PM

Hank_Scorpio

Posts: 4
Joined: 17/2/2006
From: Swindon

quote:

It�s the crazy �headache� subplot from The Bourne Identity Greengrass sensibly jettisoned.

I thought Greengrass only came onboard for the Bourne Supremacy? The Bourne Identity was Doug Liman.

(in reply to chris kilby)

Post #: 12

RE: Close to giving up - 10/8/2012 2:18:35 PM

sowasred2012

Posts: 352
Joined: 29/6/2007

quote:

ORIGINAL: Hank_Scorpio

quote:

It�s the crazy �headache� subplot from The Bourne Identity Greengrass sensibly jettisoned.

I thought Greengrass only came onboard for the Bourne Supremacy? The Bourne Identity was Doug Liman.

Ultimatum and Supremacy were both Greengrass, and neither make a reference to the headaches Clive Owen's character mentions in Identity - I think that's what Ian was getting at with that comment.

_____________________________

Poor people are crazy, Jack. I'm eccentric.

http://www.srmason.co.uk/blog/
http://www.twitter.com/sowasred2012

(in reply to Hank_Scorpio)

Post #: 13

RE: Close to giving up - 10/8/2012 2:24:00 PM

Hank_Scorpio

Posts: 4
Joined: 17/2/2006
From: Swindon

quote:

ORIGINAL: sowasred2012

Ultimatum and Supremacy were both Greengrass, and neither make a reference to the headaches Clive Owen's character mentions in Identity - I think that's what Ian was getting at with that comment.

Gotcha, thanks for clearing that up!

(in reply to sowasred2012)

Post #: 14

RE: Close to giving up - 10/8/2012 2:29:04 PM

AxlReznor

Posts: 1095
Joined: 2/12/2010
From: Great Britain

It could be argued then, that this clears up some shortcomings of the previous two movies by finally giving some answers to what we were led to believe would be a major plot point and was subsequently ignored.

Not that I'm defending the film myself. Haven't seen it yet, and probably won't until Lovefilm streams it or it's shown on TV.

_____________________________

"It's amazing how many supposed 'plot holes' turn out to now be plot holes if you'd just pay attention", Me

(in reply to Hank_Scorpio)

Post #: 15

RE: Close to giving up - 10/8/2012 2:33:00 PM

waltham1979

Posts: 1033
Joined: 18/3/2008
From: San-Diago, which is German for 'Whales virgina'...

So because this film got 2 out of 5...does that mean it is exactly the same film as Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen?!

I'll give the review itself 4 out of 5; and even though I haven't seen the film I am going to rate it about 3 out of 5 because I want it to be better than Transformers 2, but not as good as Indiana Jones: Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Additionally if anyone disagrees with me I am going to call you 'fan-boy cunts' and cancel my subscription to Empire, not before I throw my issue away at home that had Jeremy Renner on because I cannot believe you were looking forward to a film that ended up shit. You utter utter bastards with your own opinions, principles and editorial integrity...

Thought I'd join in the theme of the thread before I head on back over to The Dark Knight Rises one

Ps: chris kilby you are a fucking legend. I salute you sir!!!

Peace out.

< Message edited by waltham1979 -- 10/8/2012 5:33:09 PM >

_____________________________

It's a funny world we live in. Speaking of which, do you know how I got these scars?

(in reply to sowasred2012)

Post #: 16

RE: Close to giving up - 10/8/2012 3:38:46 PM

Wild about Wilder

Posts: 1509
Joined: 9/4/2010
From: Hertfordshire

Kermode bloged that as an action flick it was fine yet compaired to the others it left him a bit cold (not interlectual enough for "The Old Fart"!)

Guess I'll find out for myself next week?

(in reply to waltham1979)

Post #: 17

RE: Close to giving up - 10/8/2012 3:39:38 PM

UTB

Posts: 9049
Joined: 30/9/2005

Is Rgirvan on holiday or something?

(in reply to waltham1979)

Post #: 18

RE: Close to giving up - 10/8/2012 3:44:08 PM

Whistler

Posts: 2347
Joined: 22/11/2006

This is disappointing. I was never really on board with a fourth Bourne, but as it drew closer I began to warm to the idea; the cast was good, the story seemed solid, and the trailers looked promising. Of course, I never really imagined it would reach the heights of the original trilogy, but I'd hoped for more than this. Regardless, I'll check it out soon...

_____________________________

"And my straw reaches acrooooooss the room, and starts to drink your milkshake. I...drink...your...milkshake!"

My Film Reviews
Now You See Me, Man Of Steel & more

(in reply to UTB)

Post #: 19

RE: Close to giving up - 10/8/2012 3:51:39 PM

Rgirvan44

Posts: 18934
Joined: 10/3/2006
From: Punishment Park

quote:

ORIGINAL: UTB

Is Rgirvan on holiday or something?

I am wondering how many people angry at this are huge Marvel fans. Would like to see some stats comparing the two.

Where were all these Renner fans when 28 Weeks Later was getting a kicking!

_____________________________

It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to, than I have ever known.

(in reply to UTB)

Post #: 20

Empire wrote "SUMMER'S SMARTEST SEQUEL"... - 10/8/2012 7:10:37 PM

dseys

Posts: 71
Joined: 10/8/2012

The problem isn't the amount of coverage, but the way this coverage is done.

I can read on the cover of issue n�278: "Hawkeye goes hardcore in SUMMER'S SMARTEST SEQUEL".

And one month later, you give the film a 2-star rating. LESS than "This Means War" which was the worst and most stupid (even if you said it was "smart", the only thing it surely wasn't) 3-star movie of the year.

That being said, i'm a HUGE fan of Empire and will continue to buy it - not for the reviews, but for the coverage and all the incredible stuff you're offering!

(in reply to Empire Admin)

Post #: 21

RE: Empire wrote "SUMMER'S SMARTEST SEQUEL"... - 10/8/2012 7:12:36 PM

AxlReznor

Posts: 1095
Joined: 2/12/2010
From: Great Britain

I'm pretty sure "THE BOURNE LEGACY! IT MIGHT BE ALRIGHT... MAYBE!" wouldn't have gone over so well.

_____________________________

"It's amazing how many supposed 'plot holes' turn out to now be plot holes if you'd just pay attention", Me

(in reply to dseys)

Post #: 22

RE: Greengrass?? - 10/8/2012 7:33:25 PM

drews

Posts: 272
Joined: 5/10/2005
From: Wimbledon Centre Court

quote:

ORIGINAL: J_BUltimatum

Why haven't you mentioned Doug Liman in your sum up, who directed the best film in the original series??

True dat. Bourne Identity is the DOGS!!

_____________________________

When an opportunity in a fight presents itself, "I" don't hit, "it" hits all by itself. - BRUCE LEE

Beer: The cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems. - HOMER SIMPSON

#8 member of The Wire fan club. PM Dantes Inferno to join.

Post #: 23

RE: Ha! - 10/8/2012 8:27:34 PM

chris kilby

Posts: 1189
Joined: 31/3/2010

quote:

ORIGINAL: gusbuster

I liked this review. It's well written and it made me smile. Plus it did it's job perfectly well. Surely most of just want to know whether the Bourne Legacy is a worthwhile addition to the original Bourne films? Answer: obviously not.
As for Empire's reviews in general - the quality of a review isn't measured by how much it matches your own opinion or expectations.
Personally I enjoy anticipating new films. I get excited about the casting news and the photos from set and the first trailer - just like I imagine everyone else here does. I enjoy reading Empire because they share my excitement and optimism in these things. When a film finally comes out and turns out to be a dud, there's no point blaming Empire for reviewing it honestly, or for being excited about it before release.

Absolutely goddamn right! I don't agree with a word Peter Biskind or Mark Kermode (mostly) say, but I still enjoy their books. Who wants to read (or talk to) only people they agree with all the time? Weird.

Post #: 24

RE: Close to giving up - 10/8/2012 8:33:02 PM

chris kilby

Posts: 1189
Joined: 31/3/2010

quote:

ORIGINAL: waltham1979

So because this film got 2 out of 5...does that mean it is exactly the same film as Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen?!

I'll give the review itself 4 out of 5; and even though I haven't seen the film I am going to rate it about 3 out of 5 because I want it to be better than Transformers 2, but not as good as Indiana Jones: Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Additionally if anyone disagrees with me I am going to call you 'fan-boy cunts' and cancel my subscription to Empire, not before I throw my issue away at home that had Jeremy Renner on because I cannot believe you were looking forward to a film that ended up shit. You utter utter bastards with your own opinions, principles and editorial integrity...

Thought I'd join in the theme of the thread before I head on back over to The Dark Knight Rises one

Ps: chris kilby you are a fucking legend. I salute you sir!!!

Peace out.

I thought you had to be dead to be a legend? Uh-oh... Do you know something I don't? Why? What have you heard? Did my results come back? It's bad, isn't it...?

(A bell end, mair like!

)

(in reply to waltham1979)

Post #: 25

RE: 2 stars? As good as Step Up 4?? - 11/8/2012 7:34:40 PM

cerebusboy

Posts: 1552
Joined: 1/5/2006

quote:

ORIGINAL: walterwhite52

This review does not surprise me at all; Empire's reviews have continuously missed the mark for a while a now, they gave the Dark Knight Rises 5 stars but upon reading the review they struggled to find praise in a movie that was a mess and did nothing but ruin an entire trilogy! Prometheus was at least a 4 star movie and got 3!
Ive almost stopped reading Empire reviews because of this and ive been reading for ove ten years! il be going to see this with an open mind as usual and then il re read this review, sort it out Empire!

"spectacle in abundance" "superhero filmmaking on an unprecedented scale" etc

All the Bourne fans I've spoken too thought going the quasi-superhero route (with the pills) was a mistake. They should reboot the franchise in a more realistic direction

Post #: 26

RE: Ha! - 11/8/2012 7:36:29 PM

cerebusboy

Posts: 1552
Joined: 1/5/2006

quote:

ORIGINAL: chris kilby

quote:

ORIGINAL: gusbuster

I liked this review. It's well written and it made me smile. Plus it did it's job perfectly well. Surely most of just want to know whether the Bourne Legacy is a worthwhile addition to the original Bourne films? Answer: obviously not.
As for Empire's reviews in general - the quality of a review isn't measured by how much it matches your own opinion or expectations.
Personally I enjoy anticipating new films. I get excited about the casting news and the photos from set and the first trailer - just like I imagine everyone else here does. I enjoy reading Empire because they share my excitement and optimism in these things. When a film finally comes out and turns out to be a dud, there's no point blaming Empire for reviewing it honestly, or for being excited about it before release.

Absolutely goddamn right! I don't agree with a word Peter Biskind or Mark Kermode (mostly) say, but I still enjoy their books. Who wants to read (or talk to) only people they agree with all the time? Weird.

Well said. Ian Nathan is probably still the best writer Empire have had. Even if he's eviscerating a movie I love, there will always be brilliant turns of phrase (I don't tend to remember film reviews - who does? - but Nathan's pieces on Tree of Life and Super 8 were superb)

(in reply to chris kilby)

Post #: 27

RE: Close to giving up - 11/8/2012 8:40:41 PM

cerebusboy

Posts: 1552
Joined: 1/5/2006

quote:

ORIGINAL: chris kilby

quote:

ORIGINAL: waltham1979

So because this film got 2 out of 5...does that mean it is exactly the same film as Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen?!

I'll give the review itself 4 out of 5; and even though I haven't seen the film I am going to rate it about 3 out of 5 because I want it to be better than Transformers 2, but not as good as Indiana Jones: Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Additionally if anyone disagrees with me I am going to call you 'fan-boy cunts' and cancel my subscription to Empire, not before I throw my issue away at home that had Jeremy Renner on because I cannot believe you were looking forward to a film that ended up shit. You utter utter bastards with your own opinions, principles and editorial integrity...

Thought I'd join in the theme of the thread before I head on back over to The Dark Knight Rises one

Ps: chris kilby you are a fucking legend. I salute you sir!!!

Peace out.

I thought you had to be dead to be a legend? Uh-oh... Do you know something I don't? Why? What have you heard? Did my results come back? It's bad, isn't it...?

(A bell end, mair like! )

A hero can be anyone....even someone who does something as simple as spend all day on the internet

(in reply to chris kilby)

Post #: 28

RE: Close to giving up - 12/8/2012 11:47:46 AM

Cool Breeze

Posts: 1726
Joined: 9/11/2011
From: The Internet

HAWKEYE GOES HARDCORE IN SUMMERS MOST DISAPPOINTING SEQUEL!

_____________________________

'' Iv played Oskar Schindler, Michael Collins, Rob Roy Mcgregor, even ZEUS for gods sake! No one is going to believe me to be a green grocer! ''

(in reply to cerebusboy)

Post #: 29

RE: The Bourne Legacy - 13/8/2012 12:34:24 PM

MonsterCat

Posts: 6425
Joined: 24/3/2011
From: St. Albans, Hertfordshire

Even with someone as talented as Jeremy Renner in the lead role, my interest in this film has seriously dwindled.

_____________________________

"I am a writer, a doctor, a nuclear physicist and a theoretical philosopher. But above all, I am a man, a hopelessly inquisitive man, just like you."

Films watched in 2013

(in reply to Empire Admin)

Post #: 30