One of my all-time favourite thrillers

Rating: 10/10 (12 December 2015)

THE BOURNE SUPREMACY takes up where the first film left off, offering a much more rounded movie which easily surpasses the first. Whereas the first film's strength lay in the many action set-pieces which proved that modern Hollywood films could still offer originality and excitement, the sequel focuses on the emotions of the dwindling cast, investing each character with believable motives and a real humanity. The result is a film which offers both top-notch action and drama at the same time, making it THE film of 2004.
Matt Damon is far better than in the first film, his Bourne a grieving, violent ex-assassin with a heart this time. The supporting cast members, both old and new, are great as well; Joan Allen as the government chief of operations is good value whilst Brian Cox has material to work with this time. Best of all is relative newcomer Karl Urban, who is quite excellent as the Russian assassin on Bourne's trail, as good a killer as Bourne himself. The film really excels in the camera-work and direction, offering surprise after surprise to make you jolt in your seat and the biggest surprise is how adept director Paul Greengrass is at delivering excellent action and thrills.
The opening chase is breathlessly exciting whilst the closing cat-and-mouse game, both on foot and by car, is quite simply the best I've watched. Realism is spot-on and the lack of computer effects – all stunts were performed by Damon, and 'really happened' – make it feel all the more true-to-life. The script offers one or two neat twists and overall the film has a feeling of originality and edginess that so many others lack. A real winner of a movie and one I've watched time and again, enjoying it 100% in each instance.