The Bourne Excellent-cy

Rating: Null/10 (25 July 2004)

God, it's good to go to the flicks and come out charged up, energized from seeing a superb film.
My all-time favorite spy films include Spy Game, The Spy Who Came In From The Cold, and Three Days of the Condor. Now, I'm adding the two Bourne films to the list.
If you don't remember (or haven't seen) The Bourne Identity, then make sure you refresh yourself with that first film BEFORE you go see The Bourne Supremacy. You'll get so much more out of part two having part one fresh in your thoughts. The two films mesh together like two parts of a four hour mini-series.
The verdict? I think The Bourne Supremacy is an excellent film. There are surprises. The narrative continues from The Bourne Identity. It displays an intelligent, modernized spy story that could easily have been told during the Cold War (it's got that great Cold-War feel). There's great acting, even in the small parts (the mark of a good film). There's a car chase that would make Frankenheimer's eyes bug out, and the action reminds me of the early Connery Bond films before they got silly.
And the directing--high marks to the director. His pacing...the tension. This is a film for would-be directors to study.
All-around good stuff.
Now, if you didn't think The Bourne Identity was a good film, chances are you'll think the same of The Bourne Supremacy. If you're like me, and you really dug The Bourne Identity, then The Bourne Supremacy will not disappoint.
This one's going on the list as one of the best of the year.