The Bourne Identity:
A man is found by a boat floating in the middle of the Mediterranean ocean, and doesn't remember who he is, or why he has two bullets in his back. He travels to Switzerland and finds multiple fake ID's, choosing the identity of "Jason Bourne". He goes on a quest of finding out who he really is, gaining few allies, but many dangerous enemies. he also finds he may or may not be tied to a government conspiracy in the CIA, and linked to something called "Treadstone". Matt Damon is great as the mysterious, highly-skilled, and amnesia-stricken Jason Bourne. Franka Potente is Bourne's ally and love interest Marie Kruetz, a French-German girl who gives Jason a ride, but then gets sucked into his problems. Brian Cox is great as the sinister Ward Abbott, head of the Bourne investigation. Chris Cooper plays Alex Conklin, the second-in-command of the Bourne investigation. Clive Owen plays an un-named assassin, code-named "The Professor", who is sent to kill Bourne. Julia Stiles plays Nicolette "Nicky" Parsons, who assissts Conklin in tracking Bourne and Kruetz. Nicky Baude plays an assassin code-named "Castel", sent to ambush Bourne in a hotel. Russell Levy plays a cold killer code-named "Mannheim" at the end of the film. Adewale Akinnouye-Agbaje plays Nykwana Wombosi, an exiled African dictator that Bourne was sent to kill, but didn't. Tim Dutton is Eamon, Marie's British friend who lets Bourne stay the night at his country home. The action in the film isn't heavy, but when it does happen, it's intense and suspenseful. From the car chase, to the fight with Castel, to the encounter with the Professor, to the ending gunfight in the Treadstone safehouse. This intense, reaistic style of action inspired the gritty reboots of James Bond and Batman. The music by John Powell is good, but the ending theme: "Extreme Ways" by Moby, proved so popular and iconic, that it is used at the end of every Bourne film to date. The writing is clever, tying all the action to the plot, and having weird twists at every turn. The direction by Doug Liman and production are excellent, and Bourne creator and author Ludlum served as executive producer. Because of the great and complex characters, plot, and great action, The Bourne Identity still holds up today, and is one of the best modern action films, and one of the greatest spy-thiller films ever. 4/5 stars.
The Bourne Supremacy:
Bourne and Marie are happily living together in India, free of Treadstone. Unfortuantely, Abbott, after (spoilers) killing Conklin at the climax of the last movie, is still searching for them, using his connections to the Russian government and oil producer Yuri Gretkov to secure an assassin, Kirill, who kills Marie and leaves Bourne heart-broken. Bourne then continues his investigation of Treadstone and Abbott's new operations, Blackbriar. Peril ensues, as Deputy Director Pam Landy takes hold of the Bourne investigation, and Bourne travels Europe, evading cops, the corrupt CIA, and Kirill. He also finds he is possibly tied to an assassination of a Russian politician in Berlin. Matt Damon is back as a more bad-ass Bourne. He is now a more dark and psychotic man, after the death of Marie, and seems more unstable, meaning he could snap at any minute. Franka Potente is back in a brief role as Marie, just as kind and caring, until her brains are blown out. Brian Cox reveals even more of an evil side as the malevolent and shady Abbott. Karl Urban is good as Kirill, the cold and creepy Russian assassin, and the secondary antagonist. Joan Allen is great as the headstrong Landy, who at first is an antagonist, but forms a shaky alliance with Bourne near the end. Julia Stiles is good as Nicky Parsons, returning from the previous film, now in a bigger role as a major player in the Bourne investigation. Martin Csokas plays Jarda, the last remaining Treadstone operative. Karel Roden plays Yuri Gretkov, the shady friend and ally of Abott, and employer of Kirill. Gabriel Mann is Danny Zorn, Abbott's eager and young assisstant, who starts to suspect a conspiracy. There is more action in this film than the previous. From the car chase in India, to the fight with Jarda at his home, to the climactic car chase in Moscow. The writing is as good as ever, and the production value is great. Paul Greengrass (who would direct the next film) is great at directing Bourne. We once more travel Europe with Jason, seeing the beautiful locations, and the not so beautiful ones. Overall, The Bourne Supremacy is a thrilling action film, one of the best spy films ever. 4.5/5 stars.
Next: Part II!
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