The Bourne Identity review

aelst's review

We rented this one because I forgot what it was about. It's about an assassin, Jason Bourne, who has amnesia. He seems to have special abilities and training. He can fight, and is super aware, but doesn't know why, so he goes on a quest to find out. Throughout the movie there are lots of action. There is a sense of realism too, because of a noticeable lack of cheesy dialogue. It's fun watching how he's been trained to behave.

Assassin to assassin confrontations are always fun to watch.

3 out of 5 stars.

ratbag's review

"The Bourne Identity" is a surprisingly believable, gritty, action film. Set in various bleak European cities, Matt Damon convincingly plays a reluctant, conflicted assassin who is given a fresh outlook after he gets amnesia and is freed of his oppressive handlers in the CIA.

Matt Damon was a good casting choice, as he brings a humanness and sincerity into the character; whereas with other actors, we are constantly aware of the actor rather than the character they are trying to portray. You can believe that when Jason Bourne strikes out at his enemies, his actions were driven by reflex rather intent.

The action scenes were also believable. You feel as if you could get a whiplash by just watching the car chase scenes! I felt that the movie started to lose it's believability towards the end, as Jason starts to use all sorts of gadgets to set up his ambush.

In all, it's an entertaining film without too much of the usual Hollywood flourish.