The Bourne Supremacy

Cast: Matt Damon, Franka Potente, Brian Cox, Julia Stiles and Karl Urban

Director: Paul Greengrass

Release Date: 2004

Running Time: 1hr 43 minutes

Genre: Action

Rating: 12

Format: Sky Cinema

Synopsis:

Jason Bourne finds himself being framed by a CIA operation gone awry. he is forced to resume his former life as a trained assassin to survive. 

Based on the novel of the same name by American author Robert Ludlam. Director Paul Greengrass delivers the next installment in the action packed franchise. Jason Bourne and Maria are now in hiding in Goa, India. It doesn't however, take Treadstone long to hunt them back down. Jason soon finds himself on the run again when he is targeted for death by Russian assassin Kirill. Meanwhile back home, CIA Deputy Director Pamela Landy and CIA Chief Ward Abbott are desperately trying to bring him in...alive.

We begin to learn a lot more about Bourne, as he begins to remember more and more about his past. Matt Damon really shows fierce emotion in character, proving that he is a fighter and a soldier. He must do everything he can to survive. Unfortunately the storyline isn't quite as exciting as the first, it does however still really live up to the expectations of the first film as far as action sequences go. As far as book adaptations go, the storyline in the film is very different to the novel. Screenwriter Tony Gilroy has gone into far much more detail about Treadstone, understandably to keep audiences on the edge of their seats.

Director Paul Greengrass has taken a much different approach in using hand held cameras to create an almost documentary effect. The director of photography has worked well with the lighting designers in choosing a muted colour palette to emphasise how dark the story is. The choice to use little to no computer graphics works excellently, fight and action sequences look more real and genuine. Audiences really have an opportunity to believe that what they are seeing, is actually real. Although the directing approach gives a more realistic feel to the film, it can be overwhelming at times too. Giving the impression that it's been very rushed.

It's unfortunate that we don't get to know the other characters better. We're introduced to several different characters, who have such little screen time that you start wondering who they actually are and what they actually have to do with the storyline. Despite the action sequences adding a lot of excitement to the film, it was very disappointing in comparison to the first film. However a good sequel, nonetheless.

4/5 stars