Hand-held camera mars an otherwise excellent action film

Rating: 8/10 (23 July 2004)

I liked "Supremacy" more than "The Bourne Identity", which I thought was a very good film. The car chase scene here ranks with the all-time greats (IMO, it knocked "The French Connection" off of the top of the hill). Joan Allen was note-perfect as the latest "Get Bourne" antagonist, though my own little fetish for Helen Shaver had me wishing this film had been made 15 years ago.
I agree with the other critics and users, though, that the camera-work detracted from, rather than enhanced, many of the scenes. Part of the problem for me may have been the crowded theater; I had to sit too close to the screen. I can't help wondering whether I'd missed a lot of details because of the quick cuts, the soft focus, and the constant zooming. Not much has been said about the sound editing, though, and it was very effective.