by Bayard Lewis
4 out out of 4 stars
As action films go, “The Bourne Supremacy” is nearly flawless. From beginning to end, the film requires a constant attention to clues about underlying character motives and the inner world of a highly trained killer. Blink too long and you might miss a critical element that reveals why Jason Bourne is investigating the death of a Russian diplomat and his wife. For this second installment of the Matt Damon Bourne trilogy, Paul Greengrass steps to the plate (replacing Doug Liman, who went on to direct “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” and “Edge of Tomorrow”).
In his hands the characters are under an increasing state of pressure as they play a deadly cat and mouse game. The plot throws together several white collar CIA officers, some with ulterior motives to hunt down Bourne by any means necessary. The opposing forces within the CIA create a web of intrigue that sustains the plot’s thick tension and breakneck pacing. As Bourne puts together the pieces of his fragmented memory, we experience flashbacks with him that are unsettling because they show just enough that we are teased to want to grasp as badly as he does, the meaning behind his black ops mission. With tight, documentary style camera work we’re thrust into the story, including intense hand to hand combat and the perspective from a sniper rifle scope.
The camera is in perpetual motion and often mimics the viewpoint of the characters, sustaining the illusion of real events. The editing propels the viewer like an extended adrenaline kick. Despite its fast cutting and scene changes, there is a natural shot-by-shot rhythm that flows throughout. With a strong supporting cast led by Joan Allen (“Face/Off”) and Brian Cox (“X-Men 2”), we care about the inner workings of covert operations. Decisions are shown to be politically motivated and fueled by self-preservation for individuals who don’t want their unscrupulous motives discovered. The story effectively swings a dramatic pendulum from the hunted becoming the hunter as the CIA teams desperately try to converge on their former top agent, while Bourne is a few steps ahead. As with many covert operations, psychological battles must also be waged for a Bourne to gain the upper hand. My only criticism is that some of the handheld camera work is so loose and wobbly that it’s difficult to watch at times. It wasn’t necessary to artificially amp up the intensity simply by having the camera shake. The film is just over a decade old, but nothing has really stepped in to continue a high benchmark of smart, more reality-based action that focuses on a central character. If you see one Bourne film, see this one.
This July Matt Damon and Paul Greengrass will be releasing a new Bourne film. •
