Capitalizing on the success of 2002’s The
Bourne Identity, Universal Pictures quickly put into production The Bourne Supremacy,
also based on a book by Robert Ludlum. Luckily for Universal, Supremacy
is just as good, if not better, than Identity. Matt Damon again
plays amnesiac CIA-trained assassin Jason Bourne, who has tried to put his former life behind
him by periodically moving from one exotic locale to another with girlfriend Marie (Franke
Potente). Unfortunately, once again someone finds him, but this time it is a Russian
assassin (Karl Urban from The Lord of the Rings). So Bourne is on
the run again, pursued both by the Russians and the CIA.
Supremacy brings back all the things
that were good about Identity: the explosive action, interesting camera angles,
gritty locations, and driving score. But Supremacy also has a tighter story which
actually makes sense at the end. Damon again brings the right mix of ordinary and extraordinary
to Bourne, and Joan Allen is a great addition to the cast as a driven but
principled CIA operative. But Supremacy may be too much of a good thing –
although the story is more interesting, the rest has a bit of a “been there, done
that” feeling. And the plot doesn’t allow Damon/Bourne to show as much emotional
range in this film, which was a disappointment. But overall, Supremacy is a worthy
next installment in the Bourne franchise and an enjoyable, adrenaline-filled roller coaster
ride.
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