Movies
by Lori Hoffman
Old School Spy
'Bourne Supremacy' is a solid sequel
OLD SCHOOL SPY GAMES are the centerpiece of The Bourne Supremacy, a solid sequel to the excellent The Bourne Identity. While the sequel lacks the rich emotional context of the original (it's assumed we know the characters already), the action is thrilling.
Like the original, the movie's ambiance is from the time when spies were out in the Cold War, racing around colorful European locations, and John Le Carre set the standard. Jason Bourne might be a trained assassin, but since he lost his memory, he's become much more human. He takes it personally when his job puts others in danger and when the CIA refuses to let him stay retired. However, when danger arrives, he is fully capable of putting his considerable skills to work.
In the sequel, the man behind the ultra-secret CIA mission Treadstone, Ward Abbott (Brian Cox), is still "uncomfortable" about loose end Jason Bourne still being on the loose. Naturally, he will regret trying one more time to bury his dirty little secret by putting a hit out on Bourne. Joan Allen joins the fray as a CIA deputy who isn't corrupt, but who wants to catch Bourne because evidence suggests he killed two CIA operatives in Berlin.
The centerpiece of the sequel is a car chase in Moscow even more remarkable than the Paris-via-Mini-Cooper jaunt in the original. It is right up there with the classic car chases in Bullitt and The French Connection. While the sequel lacks the ironic cool of director Doug Liman (he's executive producer this time), it does feature the same writer, Tony Gilroy, cinematographer Oliver Wood, and composer John Powell, providing continuity.
Matt Damon brings a very human face to this trained killer. Haunted by nightmares, bits and pieces of his ugly deeds, he is driven not only by superb survival instincts, but by a sense of honor.
The Bourne Supremacy offers cool thrills and explosive action.
Purrrfectly Putrid
I've sharpened my claws for this one. Catwoman is the first film that could challenge Battlefield Earth as the worst movie of the past decade. The story is stupid and the characters are plastic. Rather than being lithe and catlike, Berry's FX-enhanced Catwoman moves more like an insect. Sharon Stone is supposed to be an evil monster, creating a catfight for the ages when she faces down Catwoman. No such luck. Benjamin Bratt, as the hunky cop hero, looks old and tired. While Berry looks sexy in her cat outfit, the absurd plot and lack of any redeeming qualities guarantee that her appeal remains undeveloped in this stinker. I'd rather change a dirty litter box than think about this movie anymore.
The Bourne Supremacy - ***
Directed by Paul Greengrass; Rated PG13
Catwoman
Directed by Pitof; Rated PG13
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