OK - but NOT as good as the original

Rating: 5/10 (29 July 2004)

This movie had its features, but, as with many other sequels, it does NOT measure up to the original.
I don't know why there was a new director. Liman had the passion to pursue Ludlum to secure the rights and bring the movie to life. He did a superior job to Greengrass in Supremacy.
The original had a much more "European feel" to it. While this installment was set in Europe, you didn't feel like you were THERE as much. Maybe as a tourist on a brief visit. You didn't feel like you were living there, as in Identity.
It's a shame we didn't see more of Franka. She was instrumental in setting the 'feel' of the first movie. Also, what happens with her (which I will not get into to avoid spoilers) makes little sense.
There was more intrigue in the original. This was much more an action-based film. The action was good, however.
Lastly, I will make note of the camermanship. How many dopio espressos had these camera operators HAD before showing up at work? While Liman explored "hand-cam style steadycam use", in this version, it looks like the camera operators had some kind of neurological disorder! This was made worse by frequent freehand pans and frequent cuts. Few shots in this movie lasted more than a couple seconds before a cut to a different view (usually in the middle of a pan or zoom) was made. While this was probably made to leave the viewer somewhat off-balance, it was overdone and NOT a good technique like in the original movie.
All in all, it's worth seeing. It's just a shame that the quality of the original couldn't have been preserved. Liman, where were you?!?