Jason Bourne returns in the second instalment of the Bourne trilogy, based loosely on Robert Ludlum's novel. This globe trotting sequel takes in India, Berlin, New York and Moscow as Bourne tries desperately to clear his name from a double homocide that he didn't commit. Ben Johnson tags along for the ride.
Distributor: Universal Pictures Video Format: Region 2 (PAL) Length: 104 min. Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 2.35:1 Audio: English, German, Italian, Russian Subtitles: English Extras: Documentaries: On The Move With Jason Bourne, Bourne To Be Wild Fight Training, Crash Cam Racing Through The Streets Of Moscow, Explosive Deleted Scenes, Matching Identities Casting, Keeping It Real, Blowing Things Up, The Go Mobile Revs Up the Action, Anatomy Of A Scene The Explosive Bridge Chase Scenes, Scoring With John Powell. Feature Commentary With Paul Greengrass Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
Year of Release: 2004; Origin: United States, Germany; Studio: Universal Pictures
Director: Paul Greengrass; Producer: Patrick Crowley, Frank Marshall, Paul Sandberg; Script: Tony Gilroy; Action Director: Jeff Imada, Damon Caro; Cast Matt Damon, Franka Potente, Brian Cox, Julia Stiles, Karl Urban, Joan Allen.
Alternative Titles: N/A
Trailer: Click below to view the trailer for The Bourne Supremacy
Plot Synopsis
Jason Bourne’s new, quieter life with girlfriend Marie in India is rudely interrupted when a Russian assassin chases the couple through the busy streets of Deli and then shoots Marie dead with his sniper rifle. Bourne’s quest for revenge takes him to Berlin where he discovers that he has been framed for the death of two CIA agents and pinned as the culprit behind a $3m stash of stolen funds. In reality, the cash has been embezzled through the grubby hands of an unscrupulous Russian oil tycoon and some corrupt officials in the US secret police. As Bourne struggles with his destructive amnesia, he begins to question his own innocence as he dodges the assassin’s bullet in an attempt to clear his own name.
Review
The first sequel to the superb The Bourne Identity adds fuel to the fire of possibly the most exciting action movie franchise of recent times, and somehow manages to achieve that crucial midpoint in satisfying not just the fans of Robert Ludlum’s techno-thriller books (of which the Bourne story is loosely based), but also ardent thrill seekers who prefer their celluloid chaos a little more measured and literate.
With quick editing and sharp dialogue, this is just as rabid as the first film, hot-footing through nearly every major continent in the developed world from India to New York to Moscow and Berlin, as Jason Bourne struggles to compensate for his former life as a CIA operative under a corrupt and lucrative governmental agency. The former villains show their true colours in this hyperactive follow up, and Bourne even attempts to amend the error of his ways. Matt Damon does little in the way of talking, but instead portrays a more placid, reflective Bourne, forced into a violent reaction following the death of his girlfriend and only then as a way of clearing his own name. In a sentimental twist near the end of the film, Bourne even confronts the victim of one of his first assignments as a means of making an apology for his previous actions, but despite the ploy of his stricken amnesia, the trained hitman still can’t shake off the trauma of his former life.
The stunts and car chases are routinely edgy and innovative, with Black Sunday director Paul Greengrass employing just about every cat and mouse trick to great effect. Bourne continues to remain one step ahead of his pursuers through the sort of hi-tech gimmickry and quick-thinking that would put Houdini to shame, disappearing under subway stations, tapping phone lines, double-bluffing just about every authority figure and turning up in random buildings with little or no explanation. To even query such things is futile. He’s Jason Bourne, for God’s sake, the guy can do bloody anything.
As for the martial arts aspect, Supremacy is not quite the all out smash fest of the first film, but Bourne’s violent bout with a fellow assassin is still top notch, gripping and fiercely rooted in a visceral realism that remains constant throughout even the film’s more exceptional, unbelievable scenes. In fact, one of the film’s greatest achievements is making such unconventional set ups seem entirely convincing, and this is enough to suggest that there is plenty of life in this tasty franchise yet. Where Bourne can go from here is anybody’s guess, but one thing’s certain that wherever he runs, a whole heap of carnage will follow. And as for the surprising Matt Damon, it appears that he’s carved out perhaps the most definable role of his career.
Jason Bourne returns in the second instalment of the Bourne trilogy, based loosely on Robert Ludlum's novel. This globe trotting sequel takes in India, Berlin, New York and Moscow as Bourne tries desperately to clear his name from a double homocide that he didn't commit. Ben Johnson tags along for the ride. 
(0 vote)
