The Bourne Supremacy (2004) (reviewed 01.07.2005)
You know what happens when you @%$#! Jason Bourne off? Watch this movie.
The Bourne Supremacy begins two years later finding Jason and Marie living simply in Goa, India- but not any longer. When a CIA op winds up with the mark and field agent dead and a fingerprint, Jason must resurface to stay alive. Bourne's sporadic memories continue to be a source of frustration for him (and you).
This movie focuses more on his past and his search for it while staying on top of the CIA and his unknown enemy. Having said too much already, is the Supremacy better than Identity? I'll let you decide. As a huge fan of the books, I think Robert Ludlum would be proud.
The Bourne Supremacy continues with what works. Thrilling car chases, close escapes, tiring foot chases, explosions and a rolled up newspaper. (You can do THAT with a newspaper?!) The shaky camera angles get irritating. Director Paul Greenwood and right hand man, Oliver Wood don't figure that out until the movie's over. The edgy techno score continues into this movie. Moby also resurfaces with his "Extreme Ways".
***Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) is still running... from his haunted past, the death of Marie, and the CIA who is desperate to save face. With ever increasing flashbacks, Bourne needs the truth to find solice in who he is. To do that, he must return home.
The Bourne Ultimatum picks up running from where The Bourne Supremacy left off. Using a series of articles from about himself and his work for the CIA, Bourne finds his next clue in journalist Simon Ross (Paddy Considine, Hot Fuzz). Operation Blackbriar was the catalyst for Operation Treadstone of which Bourne was the elite assassin proto-type. He tracks down Ross to find his source. Meanwhile, CIA surveillance technology hones in on the same London newspaperman when the unsuspecting reporter utters the word "Blackbriar" during a cell phone conversation.
Deputy CIA director and black-ops chief Noah Vosen (David Stratharin) vows to find Ross and silence him and his source without remorse if it's the only way to maintain secrecy. When he discovers Bourne has been with Ross, he labels Bourne a threat to national security and orders operative to shoot him onsight. Tracing the source, Bourne stumbles across Nicky Parsons (Julia Stiles), CIA analyst who now works Neal Daniels (Colin Stinson), who funneled secret information to Ross. Briefly teaming up, the two travel to Morocco still in pursuit of Daniels. Vosen calls on CIA Supervisor and Bourne-sympathizer, Pamela Landy (Joan Allen) to advise on Bourne's M.O., but quickly confines her to the sidelines thanks to differing opinions. She wants to invite Bourne back for coffee. Vosen prefers to shoot first and hold an séance afterward for any questions.
It's the ultimate game of cat and mouse. Bourne travels from Moscow to Paris, Tangier to Waterloo, London to New York to reconstruct his past, eluding his pursuers by mere minutes.
This cast is seemingly tailor-made for these perfomances. Matt Damon embodies our resilient hero; his steely gaze is matched by his imposing gait. Joan Allen and Julia Stiles are solid foil to Damon's Bourne. Allen really gets to shine as Landy. In retrospect, Stiles gets shafted as her character is quickly dispensed with; the viewer gets left with hints as to what could have been. Among those new on the set are David Stratharin and Albert Finney.
Director Paul Greengrass and Exec Producer Doug Liman bring the gritty story back to life with sheer intensity. Greengrass has better control of his camera, providing steady coverage of everything, allowing the viewer full immersion into Bourne's existence. Action scenes are brutal, quick and choreographed almost instinctively. This time around Bourne gets to use a book for self defense. Nice.
Well-paced and gripping, Greengrass directs with purpose driving toward a conclusion. Flashbacks give distinct information, the script moves quickly but with clear instruction. Whether running through the streets of Tangier or using the phone in Waterloo, Greengrass develops this dramatic intensity that pressurizes before ultimately exploding onscreen and seizing the viewer. The film doesn't let go until the very last moment.
The conclusion could have gone either way. Fortunately, my worries were unfounded. Greengrass wraps things up nicely.
With intense action, an intelligent screenplay that even dares to delve into the ambiguity of national security, and brilliant acting, The Bourne Ultimatum is the ultimate ending to an heart-pumping, ears-pounding, breath-taking, and altogether phenominal series.
No comments:
Post a Comment