Bourne is Supreme!

Rating: 8/10 (30 July 2015)

The Bourne Supremacy (2004): Dir: Paul Greengrass / Cast: Matt Damon, Joan Allen, Franka Potente, Brian Cox, Julia Stiles: Sequel to The Bourne Identity only much better with a more solid screenplay. It regards endurance from a smaller factor. Jason Bourne is framed for murder and put on the run again. It opens with his hideaway life interrupted and his girlfriend shot by a sniper. Believed dead, Bourne embarks upon those responsible. Not as much brutality and mindless action this time out. Story is detailed and director Paul Greengrass does a fine job at giving the film continuity from the first film. Matt Damon reprises his role as Bourne who handles the action effectively but he also reaches for redemption in a wonderful closing scene. Joan Allen is splendid as the agency head in pursuit of Bourne but she is intelligent and will learn the truth as well as realize that Bourne is several steps ahead. Brian Cox steals scenes as a villain whose dismiss seems like a cop out. Unfortunately Franka Potente as Bourne's girlfriend is too brief. Julia Stiles has an increased role working for the organization that monitors him. The fact that this film goes more for plot over constant action is a big plus. It makes for an otherwise more intelligent film than the first. This is still a basic sequel but with tense action and suspense allow it to rein supreme over the original. Score: 8 ½ / 10