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Starring:
Matt Damon as Jason Bourne
Joan Allen as Pamela Landy
Brian Cox as Ward Abbott
Julia Stiles as Nickie
Directed by: Paul Greengrass

The Bourne Identity was based on the first in a trilogy of books by Robert Ludlum. When that movie did well, bringing in over $100 million, a sequel was pretty much a given. Hence, this summer sees the release of Bourne Supremacy. Matt Damon reprises his role as Jason Bourne, a former assassin who lost his memory due to amnesia in the first movie. He finally got his memory back and the movie ended with him leaving the CIA and joining the woman that he loved in a {far-off} paradise city. He promised the CIA retaliation if anyone came after him.

As The Bourne Supremacy begins, Jason Bourne is framed for the murder of several CIA operatives and an attempt is made on his life. The attempt is unsuccessful, but does drive him to find out why they want him dead. Bourne also has brief flashbacks to an event that he doesn't remember. In an effort to find out why they are trying to kill him, he takes the fight to their doorstep. 

There are several problems with this movie. The camera work was so frenetic that events are hard to follow at times. During fight scenes, it would be easy to confuse who is who. Even after the movie is over, the viewer is left wondering who certain key people were. Some of the characters who were not in the first movie are not adequately introduced so viewers can easily become confused. The plot builds and builds, but when the resolution is finally reached and Bourne discovers who tried to frame him and why, it is such an emotional letdown that the audience will be disappointed. If Bourne worked for the CIA as an assassin you would think he would do more to hide his identity instead of using his own passport and no disguises. Finally, even after this movie reveals who tried to kill Bourne and why, the movie drags on further by having Bourne find someone so he can apologize and admit to one of his missions when he was an assassin. This last bit just makes the audience wonder why the movie is still going and feels extremely unnecessary.

This movie does have some violent moments, which might lead some parents to not send their young children to see it. There are several fist fights, gun battles, and murders. In one of the most troublesome scenes, a key character kills himself and the camera pulls away right after the gun trigger is pulled. There is some language that parents might want to watch out {for,} but the main concern in this movie is the violence, {which,} while it has its moments, is not as bad as many movies.

This movie is for those who just want to escape for a little while. Others will be more than happy to wait until it comes out on DVD. 

Burton Wray  July 31, 2004