Review 102: The Bourne Supremacy

The Bourne Supremacy is a fantastically breathless sequel in almost every way. One that builds upon its predecessors formula and creates a thoroughly compelling second instalment in the Bourne Series.

Loosely based on the second Borne novel, The Bourne Supremacy by Robert Ludlum.
Set two years after the events of The Bourne Identity, Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) is framed for a crime connected to one of his past missions. A subsequent attempt on his life results in Marie's (Franka Potente) death, so he decides to take revenge by hunting down those responsible for her death and his forgotten past, thinking that the CIA is hunting him again.

The plot is great, it takes what made the first film good and practically takes it to a whole new level and continues the story of Bourne in a stupendous way.

Whereas the The Bourne Identity was a story about the loss of identity and loneliness, The Bourne Supremacy is more of a story about Bourne's repentance and atonement for his murders.
Bourne at his core is an assassin, one the best. Someone who has killed many people and
engaging and sympathetic.

You get the sense hasn't completely rid himself of his connections to the CIA and by him going after them after they have supposedly killed Marie he will hopefully find peace and and hopefully gives him a chance to let go of burden of being a Treadstone agent. And that ultimately gives the film a much more humble and somber storyline than the first film. You truly get a sense of the tortured man inside Jason Bourne and his urge to let go of the life he's lead and say he's sorry.

Another thing that makes this film good is that it introduces new characters to Bourne's world. Character that bring out a new richness in the franchise and shake up the stakes for Bourne. One of the obvious and I think best of the new characters is C.I.A deputy director Pamela Landy (Joan Allen).

Also the way the plot is piced together is really clever and really thought provoking and its really refreshing to watch the films plot unravel and slowly reveal itself to the audience.

Director Paul Greengrass's direction is fantastic, bringing a hand held, documentary, viseral style that helps us to emerse as an audience in the film. The cinematography is beautiful and captures the beauty and realism of the films locations. The locations are wonderful, the beauty of the Bourne universe is that it looks unconsidered, so it looks like it's just happened, it feels like its unfolding right in front of you so we as an audience can invest in it as though it were a live event.

The score by John Powell is excellent and energy filled, the scenery is breathtaking, the suspense is terrific, the tension keeps rising, the production design is splendid, the costumes are brilliant, the make up is rich, the action scenes and chases are tension filled, exciting, well choreographed and expertly staged, the stunts are incredible and the ending was superb.

The acting, once again, is terrific, Matt Damon is still Jason Bourne. I just love how they try to show the inner struggle of the man with his inner turmoil and Damon plays that superbly.

Joan Allen proves herself to be a wonderful addition to the series as Pamela Landy, she starts off wanting Bourne dead but as the film goes on she starts to suspect that maybe he was framed and theres something bigger going on.

Brian Cox is fabulous as Ward Abbott, he's a dark man with his own aggender. I will say no more at that.

Julia Stiles is mesmirising as Nicky, her relationship with Bourne is something that really provokes the audiences attention and deep down I think she feels sorry for Bourne.

Karl Urben is also great in his small supporting role in the film as a Russian assassin. His presence is limited but leaves a big impact.

On top of all that the rest of the cast is great.

The Bourne Supremacy is a finely tuned action sequel that delivers thrills, 4.5/5.

The Anonymous Critic.