“The Bourne Supremacy” (Universal Pictures)
Several years ago Robert Ludlum wrote a trilogy of books all with the leading character being Jason Bourne. Two years ago “The Bourne Identity” was made into a film starring Matt Damon. It was a very successful movie and re-established Damon as someone who could carry a film. Now there is a sequel – “The Bourne Supremacy” – and it is even better than the original movie.
The film begins right where the other movie ended. Jason Bourne (Damon) and his lover Marie (Franka Potente) are living in India. Bourne is still having flashbacks to his life as a CIA killer for hire. Meanwhile in Europe a murder is being committed and evidence is planted which will frame Bourne for the act.
These events kick off another round of attempts on Bourne’s life and cause him to travel all over Europe trying to clear his name. It also causes him to reconnect with some of the people in the Agency who knew him early on. These include a girl named Nicky (Julia Stiles) and a former supervisor, Ward Abbott (Brian Cox).
The head of the CIA Branch where Bourne worked is now Pamela Landy (Joan Allen), a no-nonsense woman who digs hard for the facts. She is not totally convinced that Bourne is guilty even as the evidence continues to implicate him.
Damon is better than ever in this role. He is like a tightly coiled spring ready to strike if provoked. He shows little emotion in the role and keeps his words and his movements minimal. Damon still looks a little young for the part but his moody exterior and steely-eyed glare help convince the audience that he is the battle scarred soldier he is supposed to be.
It also helps the movie that Allen and Cox are in top form. They are perfectly cast and add total credibility to the plot. Even Julia Stiles gets serious and does some of her best work in a very brief role.
Matt Damon is not at his best when cast as the romantic lead. His on-screen relationship with Potente in the original movie was one of the weakest aspects of that film. Thankfully in this movie the love relationship is minimal. This film concentrates on murders, car chases, and cat and mouse games.
The movie is rated PG-13 for profanity and violence.
“The Bourne Supremacy” is a fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled race around Europe. It is high on tension and short on character development, but when the pace is this fast – who cares! You may start out thinking Matt Damon is wrong in the role but by film’s end you are convinced he is Jason Bourne.
I scored “The Bourne Supremacy” a re-bourne 6 out of 10.
