Extreme Ways.

Rating: Null/10 (29 September 2004)

I loved it. Matt Damon is very convincing as an action star. The action in this movie really HURTS. There are no overblown sequences like parachute jumping or airplanes crashing into casinos, instead there are gritty hand-to-hand grappling sequences; where Bourne is able to disarm security guards with his empty hands. The first of these scenes is very interesting - it takes place outside, and for some reason Bourne rediscovers his abilities and muscle memory as a killing machine when he incapacitates two night officers.
His boss, Conklin after being disturbed by the unusual turn of events that took place after Bourne failing his mission, decides to call on other hit men to take Bourne out. And with this Tony Gilroy is able to incorporate action and plot, where Bourne easily memorizes a map and drives through the city fleeing policemen. And running in the line of fire of an assassin after he distracts him by blasting a grill with a shotgun. With the scenes of Marie, we get to learn how caring and compassionate and compassionate a hit-man Jason Bourne really is... he cares for the kids; he sacrifices his sleep just to do so. This of course really pays off in the end when Bourne remembers why he failed the mission of Equono Wombosi.
Gilroy's screenplay deviates from Ludlum's novel - set in another era when Carlos The Jackal Sanchez was still a fugitive; Gilroy obviously perceived that none of us can relate to that kind of story TODAY. Instead, he comes up with a very engaging plot about a professional killer with amnesia running from his own co-employees trying to investigate who he really is; why people are after him. And what was that mission he failed to carry out anyway.
Acting is topnotch. So is the direction. There are stylized reverse cut-ins or cut-"outs"? Especially towards the end. But used to great effect. Doug Liman proves that less is more.
I loved Moby's song in the end.
9/10 Grade A-