Mediocre extension of the popular action franchise – based on a series of novels by Robert Ludlum – that began with 2002’s “The Bourne Identity.” After the (now-absent) titular character’s public exposure of a top secret program that biologically altered government spies to enhance their skills, the intelligence establishment (led by Edward Norton) decides to terminate a similar Defense Department project – and kill everyone involved. One subject (Jeremy Renner) manages to escape assassination, and teams with another of the authorities’ targets, the researcher (Rachel Weisz) who treated him as he was being endowed with his heightened powers. The duo goes on the lam and struggles to evade their pursuers’ global reach. Standard shootouts, fatal vehicular accidents and at least one close-up scene of medical unpleasantness mark director and co-writer Tony Gilroy’s convoluted cat-and-mouse game as off-limits for youngsters. Most adults, though, will probably take these elements – along with the script’s occasional lapses into foul language – in stride.
Watch out for: Considerable, at times harsh, violence with some gore, about a half-dozen uses each of profanity and crude language, a few crass terms.
Rated: The Catholic News Service classification is A-III – adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 – parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
