The Bourne Identity was #8 on my Top 10 Films of 2002 list. Doug Liman crafted a retro, indie-cool espionage thriller for a post Cold War world. The film made $121M at the domestic box office, and became the #1 rented film of 2003 due almost completely to word of mouth. Considering it was inspired by (not really based off of) a popular series of books, a sequel seemed in order. And thus begins Jason Bourne's return to the big screen...
My 2nd favorite actor Matt Damon is so perfect for the role of the amnesiac title character, conveying all the right uncertainty and "found abilities" without making it look tough. With his all American boy good looks, he proves ideally suited to carry the role of an action star just by being the right actor. Returning with him for the second go round are Franka Potente, Julia Stiles, Brian Cox, Gabriel Mann and Chris Cooper whose character was killed at the end of the first, and is scenein flashbacks in Supremacy. Impressive supporting players make one dimensional roles memorable, even when the focus is mainly on the golden boy. New to the film are Joan Allen (who should really be billed second, not Potente) and Karl Urban. Allen is great, but when is she not? Her and Cox provide a great dynamic that thankfully never turns either side into caricature, smoothly setting up that the characters are enemies. Urban takes over for Clive Owen as another assassin/Bourne doppleganger, and provides a more menacing nemesis even with minimal dialogue. As for Stiles, I am happy to report she is a lot more to do in this film then the "there he is!" extended cameo from the first.
The plot concerns Bourne coming out of hiding with Marie (Potente) when fake Bourne sabotages a CIA secret deal. Allen leads the team to track him down. There are lots of surprises from there on in, so I won't spoil anything. Though I already spoiled the first big "surprise" that happens before the twenty minute mark to others, I guess I'll keep it a secret here. This twist pissed me off briefly, but at the same time it sets up an "anything goes" theme. Since few films can pull off surprises in the age of the internet movie spoiler and countless reviews, it was fucking great for a film to keep you on your toes.
Paul Greengrass keeps the film moving at an adequate pace, and makes the character aspects just as thrilling as the action sequences. I, in particular, loved the finish to the first big one: an underwater sequence that ends with the big twist I alluded to earlier. Greengrass also keeps the series' current trademake - a big car chase sequence - for its grand finale, and this one more than doubles the thrill of the first one. You can almost feel the whiplash and metal flying at you. As Variety might say: Tech credits are solid.
Word of advice: watch the first film again before seeing this. You may be lost at some parts if you have a vague recollection of the original. Luckily, I watched the original the night before and it was fresh in my memory. As a sequel, the film effectively continues the storyline without being a retread of the same material. I also loved Jason's reunion with a character from his past, as it provided a showcase of why Bourne just isn't another action hero. The final few minutes adequatly set up the storyline for The Bourne Ultimatum. Consider me psyched.
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