The Bourne Supremacy

Reviewed by FRANCESCA RUDKIN

(Herald rating: * * * *)



The Bourne Identity was one of the best action films of 2002, and its follow-up is every bit the blast the first film was, and could be in danger of giving sequels a good name.

Picking up where The Bourne Identity left off, Jason Bourne (Damon) is now living with his girlfriend Marie (Potente) in Goa, India. Plagued by amnesia, Bourne is struggling with his mysterious past, experiencing nightmares and glimpses of his past life as a CIA operative.

Bourne's life enjoying the Indian sun comes to an abrupt end: framed for a murder in Berlin, flushed from hiding by an assassination attempt, and pursued by the CIA. Bourne works through his shattered memories and a number of exotic locations as he calmly and cleverly tries to establish what is going on.

New Zealand actors Karl Urban and Martin Csokas put their brooding good looks to good use as assassins who come up against Bourne, and with commendable performances easily earn their place on the screen with Damon.

Director Doug Liman, who struggled to complete The Bourne Identity, has moved into an executive producer role on this film.

Stepping up to direct is Paul Greengrass, writer/director of Bloody Sunday.

Greengrass has sensibly stuck with the first film's gritty, follow-the-action camera style. It feels observational and realistic, as if he's taking you into the middle of the action.

The muted tones of the film highlight Bourne's loneliness and desperation for all this to be over, and the awareness of the scriptwriter in developing the characters make this a smart action-packed flick. It's refreshing to watch a film that relies on the skill of its actors and clever camera work rather than special effects.

The Bourne Supremacy makes James Bond look pathetic. It's filled with style and substance, it's a smart spy flick with car chases that have you holding on to your seats - yes ladies, even some of you will appreciate the way Bourne handles a car. If not, at least he looks deadly cool in an overcoat.

CAST: Matt Damon, Julia Stiles, Brian Cox, Joan Allen, Franka Potente
DIRECTOR: Paul Greengrass

RUNNING TIME: 109 mins

RATING: M - violence & offensive language

SCREENING: Village, Hoyts and Berkeley