The Bourne Supremacy (2004)

Considering that this is where the series really cemented its signature 'shaky' style and its status as a cultural icon - as well as being a stepping-off point for legitimately inspired work (including Bond, even) and cash-in copycats alike, this engaging and slick action-thriller doesn't really have all that much action in it - at least, when compared to those aforementioned 'post-Bourne' pictures, both good and bad. 'The Bourne Supremacy (2004)' certainly focuses much more on its thriller aspects than anything else, providing an intriguing and involving mystery (which doesn't match the mystery of the original but appropriately carries the torch and makes sure to place enough focus on our main character to always feel fairly personal) that allows for the introduction of some fresh and exciting espionage elements into a familiar but still fun formula. The only real issues arise with a slightly unrealistic climatic clash, an unnecessary - if frenetic and enthralling - fight sequence and the very occasionally difficult-to-follow camera-work, but all of these problems are certainly small and only slightly dampen the effect of a film that's engaging, pacy, unconventional (especially with its sombre and unexpected 'apology' scene) and, most importantly, entertaining. It isn't as good as the first, but it's a worthy, and distinct, follow-up. 8/10

Jason Bourne's girlfriend gets killed. He swears to take revenge. Will he succeed or will he die trying? That's the story of this mindboggling energetic hardcore sequel. Acting is great, but much darker than in the first Bourne movie. Jason Bourne looks like a drug addict, with his dark eyes and pale white face. Matt Damon really did everything to make this performance feel like the last in the series. It wasnt. 3 more sequels would follow. But in this second performance Matt Damon excells in catatonic acting. You gotta see it to believe it. What I mean by catatonic acting is his depressed suicidal assasin look, which is very convincing. "The Bourne Supremacy" truly is hardcore stuff. The darkest and most energetic sequel in the entire series.Director Paul Greengrass restrained the use of the shaky cam in this sequel. Unfortunately he went overboard with that same shaky cam in the third Bourne movie. But in this movie the shaky cam really enhanced the feverishness of the action.Looking at the action, which is the main reason everyone wants to watch these movies, I really admire the exhilarating car chase. They dont come much better than this. This is truly feverish, exhilarating hardcore stuff. Editing, soundtrack and photography effortlessly blend into one contineous rampage of cars colliding into eachother. Action just does NOT stop. What a thrill. Mind you, there were no special effects during the car chase. No cgi, nothing. The real deal.The fight sequences were fascinating as well. Matt Damon uses an asian martial arts technique when he is fighting with nothing but just a rolled up magazine. Sounds soft? Not so, Matt Damon and his opposite actor tried it out on eachother before the take and were left with real life bruses. Following the bruises Damon even managed to accidentally knock out his opponent. This true to life portrayal of brutal chases and fight scenes really makes this sequel stand out.To summarize: YOU GOTTA SEE THIS. Acting is great, Action is great, Suspense is great, Soundtrack is great, Photography is great, Editing is great, Story is great. Really. I just cant enough of it!

'THE BOURNE SUPREMACY' was directed by Paul Greengrass and stars Matt Damon, Joan Allen and Brian Cox. ​Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) is living in India when he is framed by Russian agent Kirill (Karl Urban) for the theft of millions from the CIA. Kirill begins to pursue Bourne, intending to assassinate him -- but while Bourne and his girlfriend, Marie (Franka Potente), are on the run, a shot meant for him kills her instead. Vowing revenge, Bourne sets out to prove his innocence and bring the culprits to justice, but he has to evade CIA head Pamela Landry (Joan Allen), who is convinced he is guilty.I actively dislike 'The Bourne Identity'. I was very disappointed by it and don't understand the love for it. Thus, I put off seeing this movie for quite some time. I regret doing so. 'The Bourne Supremacy' trumps its predecessor in pretty much every conceivable way. Franka Potente's character, Marie Kreutz, from the first was probably my least favourite part of the movie and she's gone! I imagine this upset many people but I personally was delirious with it and love the arc change it gives to Bourne. Enough comparisons, let's get into what makes this movie great.The story. I really like the story for this movie but I don't know why. It shouldn't work for me but there is some mystery and government conspiracy that entices me to like it. I know that this is basically a good way to describe the plot of Identity but it felt so much more refined in this one than it did with Identity. I do have issues with the way the film ends, however. It feels kinda anti-climactic and the final scene is very weak, without context from Ultimatum. I wont spoil the ending but I just wasn't very satisfied by it.Damon was good in Identity and I will say he was probably the best part of the film. We see his transformation into Bourne at the end and that is fully explored in this movie, and that benefits Damon immensely. It enables him to give a brilliant performance that delves deep into Bourne's mind and portrays a unique blend of pure, unfiltered emotion and pure, unfiltered awesomeness. Opposing Bourne is my least favourite aspect of this film. The villain is very weak overall and I was not impressed or entertained by them in the slightest. Karl Urban's Kiril was pretty cool and provided a physical opposition to Bourne but had too little backstory and motivation to make me really feel invested in his character or care. I get he is a contract killer and that is fine but I would have liked more explanation to his character and background.Joan Allen was very good as Pamela Landy and was a very welcome addition to the cast. Brian Cox was great as Ward Abbot but I would have liked a little more from him in the long run character wise. The other, more minor supporting cast, all did fine jobs and none of them actively irked me, performance wise.Aside from ONE poorly done action scene in this movie, the movie was well shot, directed and edited together. Greengrass remains the only living director capable of using hand-held cam effectively and, while he perfects the craft later on, utilises the unpopular technique effectively here. There are next to no special effects in this movie which is both phenomenal and admirable for an action film in this day and age and I cannot thank the crew enough for that.This is more minor but I love the score for these movies. It's awesome and amazing and badass and has earned my love. I rarely comment on a film's score unless I like it a lot so good job to the composers.In conclusion, I really liked The Bourne Supremacy. If, like me, you didn't like Identity, I still urge you to give this one a shot. It's got great acting, good action, an interesting story, and while the villain does drag it down a peg or two, it is still a thrilling ride from beginning to end. I'll rate this movie a solid 7 Stalking Bournes out of 10 and definitely recommend you see this great movie.

After Bourne Identity, I was expecting that sequel to be as good and I'm not deceived. It has achieved to make me definitely love the saga.Jason Bourne is back but against his wishes. When the woman he loves got killed by a CIA assassin, he decides to go after them just like he promised at the end of the first movie.As expected, Bourne Supremacy is a bit darker than the first opus. We are introduced to new characters like Pamela Landy, a CIA station chief who is in charge of an operation related to the first mission accomplished by Bourne. When this op fails with the death of two men and Jason's fingerprints are found on the scene, she is tasked with taking him down. That's the beginning of a long series of twists which uncovers a much larger conspiracy within the CIA.Thankfully what makes the first movie so great, the thrilling action, is still there and so masterfully filmed once again. I'm truly amazed by its choreography which is perfectly timed and efficient. Knowing that Matt Damon was making his own stunts, it's truly impressive. I can't even imagine how much time he trained to reach that level of perfection.Keep it comin'!