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Bourne Supremacy, The
Matt Damon returns as Robert Ludlum's amnesiac assassin, who is still attempting to rediscover his true identity while being assailed by the CIA on one side and Russians on the other
The Bourne Identity (2001) was an original take on the staid Hollywood thriller genre, restoring a grit and realism when other films preferred CGI and gadgets. Here director Doug Liman moves over into an executive producer, with Briton Paul Greengrass taking the reins. It's an inspired choice, as the man responsible for 2002's Bloody Sunday brings a similar edginess to proceedings, maintaining the style and distinction of the burgeoning franchise (there's one further Ludlum book in the cycle to adapt, 'The Bourne Ultimatum'). The story picks up two years after where The Bourne Identity left off. Jason Bourne (Damon) is living with Marie (Potente), the woman whose life became entangled with his in the first film. However, their existence in Goa isn't exactly an idyll. Bourne is troubled by nightmares and fragmented memories, and fills notebooks with scribblings. He's desperate to find out "Who was I?", but on his own terms - outside the influence of the CIA. Pursued by a Russian hitman (Urban) to Goa, Bourne flees to Europe where he tries to piece together fragments of memory he has of an apparent hit in a Berlin hotel. Travelling from Italy to Berlin, then on to Moscow, Bourne must contend with both the attentions of a CIA taskforce, headed up by Joan Allen's Pam Landy, and the Russians. Landy believes Bourne is responsible for killing operatives in Berlin - at the time when he was in India. The presence of the dubious Ward (Cox), further complicates the situation. What's the agenda of this former boss of Treadstone, the CIA's 'kill squad'? In the mix of The Bourne Supremacy are not only Bourne's amnesia and Landy's overconfidence, but also "one of the wealthiest men in Russia" (Roden), $20 million in lost CIA money and several supporting characters from the first film. Basically it's about revenge (and misunderstanding), but it's also about redemption. Along the way to a poignant climax, the film manages to feel both formulaic and impressive. The plot works like this: new country, incident, chase, and repeat. But these repeated elements are very different in each of the settings, as well as being inventive. The film's strongest action elements are its incredible chases. The first takes place in Goa, a novel premise as it's defined by a slow-moving morass of carts, buses and autorickshaws. A chase in Berlin sees Bourne trying to elude what seems like the entire police force on foot. While in Moscow, well, suffice to say the car chase may go on to be considered one of cinema's finest, especially when such action scenes are largely defined by CGI in 21st century cinema, and have a resulting cartoony feel. This sequence is an incredible feat of stunt choreography and editing, flipping between shots of Bourne's feet working the clutch like a rally driver, arms reaching out of windows wielding pistols, and sudden crashes. Despite the damage done to our hero, he's nothing if not tenacious. In fact, he's cunning, resourceful (he has some interesting uses for glossy magazines) and extremely efficient. Damon, the boyish-looking actor seemingly cast against type, is again effective in the role, serious and dedicated. There are weak plot points, however. The Russian hitman's boss gives him the old "You're sure he's dead" line on his return from the Goa hit, while Landy comes up with some significant information that just happened to be "buried in the hard drive" of a PC. And The Bourne Supremacy can't achieve the surprising originality of the first, an edgy thriller in a marketplace full of glossy ones. But it's a vigorous, rewarding sequel that provides both thrills and a degree more depth for our troubled hero. It continues the themes of Bourne getting re-born, rediscovering his humanity, saving his soul. Verdict Good stuff, for its grit, its distinctiveness and its awesome chases. |
