film Home > Movie Reviews

In the follow-up to 2002’s The Bourne Identity, director Paul Greengrass sculpts The Bourne Supremacy with the same handheld documentary-style immediacy he brought to 2002’s Bloody Sunday. Anchored by Matt Damon’s dark, moody, and thrilling performance, Supremacy features a brief return appearance by Franka Potente (Run Lola Run), who quickly becomes collateral damage in a failed assassination attempt, a scheme that draws Jason Bourne out of hiding. Damon is supported by a quality cast, including Identity alums Chris Cooper in a flashback cameo, always moist Brian Cox as a CIA honcho, and Julia Stiles underutilized here as bait. Joan Allen is rock steady as tough-talking Pamela Landy, the investigator who opens the whole can of worms. Like its predecessor, Supremacy is adapted from a Robert Ludlum novel and includes the hallmarks of a great espionage thriller. In short, The Bourne Supremacy is smart, satisfying, grownup entertainment packed with taut, intelligent thrills.