Second Bourne

Rating: 8/10 (22 August 2015)

I found this sequel to "The Bourne Identity" to be every bit as thrilling and satisfying as the first. Self-contained as each film is, the continuity from one to the next is laudable in treating the viewer with intelligence and respect. The film starts quietly with Jason and his girlfriend relaxing anonymously, or so they believe, in the bustling city of Goa in India. Of course we wouldn't have a film unless his past catches up with him again and so it proves.
Besides Goa, the main action takes place in Berlin and a recreated Moscow, with touch-downs in London, Amsterdam and New York too. It's not long before Bourne has a personal motive for getting back on his own case again.
With super-fast-cut editing, often using hand-held camera-shots, a pounding, electro-soundtrack and a minimum of dialogue (I sincerely hope Matt Damon wasn't getting paid by the word), it's a breathless, white-knuckle ride with superb action set-pieces accompanied by scenes of expository calm. There are two thrilling car-chases, especially the latter in a congested Moscow and one exciting fight sequence in a confined space between Bourne and a fellow-agent.
I didn't think the film needed the teaser-ending which finishes the movie on an up rather than down-stroke, but given that it set up an even better follow-up movie, I can live with that. Intricately and believably plotted, brilliantly edited and with Damon at his driven best, this sequel is no sloppy second.