Awesome movie marred by the un-Steadicam

Rating: Null/10 (1 August 2004)

The Bourne Supremacy is a taut, carefully crafted action thriller which works on multiple levels. The acting of the central cast (Matt Damon, Joan Allen, etc.) is superior, and does an excellent job of bringing this story to life.
Unfortunately, this awesome sequel to the Bourne Identity suffers from an overuse of what I like to call, the "un-Steadicam" effect. Used judiciously, the un-Steadicam brings an edgy, "you are there" effect to action scenes. However, in the wrong hands, the un-Steadicam, as applied in the Bourne Supremacy, becomes a WMD (Weapon of Mass Distraction); diverting attention from the storyline and action - breaking the artificial reality of the movie. The continuous use of the un-Steadicam, even during traditionally static scenes of people sitting and talking, directs attention away from the story, participants, and action.
Although my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the movie, we will not be buying the DVD of "The Bourne Supremacy." I got a headache (and my wife got nauseous during the Moscow car chase) due to the continuous use of the un-Steadicam. As much as we like the movie, we would have a hard time watching it again knowing the un-Steadicam would be in play.
If you are a fan of the un-Steadicam cinematography school, then you'll love this film (e.g., you NYPD fans). If, on the other hand, you get sick riding on roller coasters, then you might want to avoid this film. I, for one, would be happy to see the school of the un-Steadicam shut down.