The Bourne Identity

A first-rate thriller with grit and intrigue to spare.

Not only an exceptional thriller, but a transcendent summer movie: It assumes, for two hours, you've brain and heart enough to stick with a film that doesn't condescend, doesn't beat you up and doesn't dumb you to death.

There isn't a dull or dumb moment in this movie.

Liman packs enough firepower into The Bourne Identity to please the summer action fan, including a reshot climax that contains one of the niftier stunts I've seen recently. The centerpiece action sequence is a bravura car chase through Paris, yet the moments that bookend it are equally impressive.

A lean, deftly shot, well-acted, weirdly retro thriller that recalls a raft of '60s and '70s European-set spy pictures. There are even moments when you hope it could turn into a modern "Charade."

It has a few whispers of intrigue, but at the heart of The Bourne Identity lies a dispiriting paradox: The more that Jason Bourne learns about himself, the less arresting he seems.

The best audiences can hope for is that they, too, get amnesia and forget they ever saw this movie.

matt damon was amazing in this movie. he and franka potente had great chemistry too. wonderful acting from both of them, and loved the plot and its ability to not miss out on details. really made the movie immersive. thank you directors and producers and actors for this film!

The usual spy craft intermixed with action adventure elements as the titular "Jason bourne" tries to uncover his memories after a botched hit job. Somewhat unique for its day, bourne uses hand-held camera style cinematography particularly during action sequences. Mostly this spawned a hundred imitations that failed to gauge the nuance of its execution (sequels to this included imo!). Cast and production quality are decent. Some nicely produced action set pieces keep things moving to the lower key feel that this trilogy is known for when stood next to the bond films around this time eg die another day. Otherwise a surprisingly average outing with little to stand out from the incredibly over saturated genre.

I was attracted to this action film by the hope of seeing something that went a little beyond the simple and common "run, shoot, kill and jump" of films like this. The basic premise, a man in search of his own identity, could allow the script to have some mystery that would sweeten this recipe and make the film more interesting. However, after seeing the film, I feel that this is not exactly what I found and the film took little advantage of this idea. The script starts off well, as I said: a man wakes up not knowing who he is, but quickly starts behaving like a "killing machine". It's instinctual. It becomes evident to us there that he was, or is, a professional killer hired by someone. Furthermore, it remains to be seen what the details of his story will be, and it is this quest that leads the film, from one pursuit to another until the end. The problem with this movie really starts with a sparse script: the man doesn't know who he is and everyone wants to kill him, so he has to flee almost the entire movie, between gunfire and bombs. It's simple, and it's tiring. Matt Damon achieved, with this film and its sequels, a consecration as an actor that is deserved, albeit uninteresting. He is a good actor, but in this film he was far from his potential and the film, due to its characteristics, does not favor the work of an actor who wants to stand out for the quality of his dramatic interpretation. Still, the film gives him enough to do a satisfying job, and still allows to some supporting actors a certain leeway to show talent. This is the case of Franka Potente, Clive Owen and Chris Cooper. The rest of the cast shows up just because they have to and doesn't stand out. Technically, the film has many positive and well-developed aspects. Being a pure action film, there are high production values and a lot of money invested in great and quality effects. Gunshots, explosions, smashed cars, things that explode, fake blood, the film is a godsend for the visual, special and sound effects team. The work of action stunts is also important and worthwhile. Cinematography takes a back seat, with discreet but competent work, and the soundtrack, by John Powell, plays its part, with an especially good and striking song in the end credits: "Extreme Ways", by Moby.

The Bourne Identity is a mindless hack and slash action film. There is an attempt at embedding some sort of intrigue into the plot, but it's really just an excuse for more boring violence. This has its appeal for certain audiences, but in the modern day when time is such a precious resources this movie just doesn't have value.

the fil reliance on cliché and predictable plot.. the elements ot the movie— losing memories, being chased by a shadowy org., and double-crosses— are effective in their own right, but somehow I feel tired and sick of it because a lot of movies have overused these elements making it seem dull and tedious.. The overall story about a man discovering his identity is a common trope that's why the movie failed to offer a fresh perspective on this well-worn narrative..