Bourne Identity -B+ / Bourne Supremacy -A-

Both out on DVD.

In preparation for the release of the Bourne Ultimatum, I rewatched the first two movies in this series to refresh my Bourne-like memory on the plot of the movies. The films are similar in style and score, with an interconnected plot starring Matt Damon. The supporting cast of Clive Owen, Brian Cox, Chris Cooper, Franka Portente, Joan Allen and Julia Stiles all provide quality fodder for the indominitable Jason Bourne.

The Bourne Identity, directed by Doug Liman (Swingers, Go) is an excellent but formulaic spy thriller. Bourne struggles to find his identity as a CIA operative as he tries to come to terms with the high level military skills he possesses. Along the way he falls in love with a beautiful but scattered German (Franka Portente) and through her is able to salvage his soul (tear drop). His foil is the CIA (Chris Cooper and Brian Cox) and its rogue desk-jockeys with reputations on the line.

The film is beautifully shot, with interesting and subtly majestic visuals of Berlin, Paris and several other European cities. Liman does a great job of utilizing the handheld camera throughout the film, not just in action sequences, and the result is an intimate feel. The fight sequences are intense and realistic, as are the car chases. This one doesn't get the A- because there's no 'there' there. Its good, but not great.

The Bourne Supremacy takes the foundation laid by Identity and takes the character and series to another level. Directed by United 93's Paul Greengrass, the film is more intense and cerebral than the first, with a much more resonant storyline and ending.

The film opens with Bourne and his girl (Franka) in India living 'off the grid' in bliss. He gets dragged back into the melee with the CIA after one of the rogue agents plants one of his fingerprints in a deal gone bad to protect said agents' reputation. As a result, a Russian hitman comes to town to get rid of Bourne, killing his girl instead (and his soul in the process - tears).

That sets Bourne off, and Greengrass turns the tables for several minutes showing that Bourne is really a weapon to be dealt with. Now the stage is set for the classic 'Fugitive' storyline: Bourne is out to prove he is innocent against a corrupt government. Joan Allen plays the Tommy Lee Jones character, and does a great job.

The best sequences in the film are when Bourne is watching the CIA gang through the window, the magazine fight scene, the scene with the Russian diplomat's daughter (he killed her parents in his former life).