Too much razzle dazzle

Rating: 6/10 (4 January 2005)

While The Bourne Identity was a classy, intelligent thriller, this sequel abandons much of the original's captivating elements and replaces them with a sensory blur. The director takes a chaotic approach, using jerky camera shots, unusual angles and jagged editing to obscure an inferior plot. One has to look no further than the five-minute or so car chase scene to realize that this movie didn't have enough depth to follow the original on its story-telling merits. On a positive note, Matt Damon again turns in an excellent performance as Jason Bourne. Joan Allen also does well in her role as a CIA big shot. Julia Stiles is wasted in a small role.