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Summary: A simple, fun spy flick
Review: The Bourne Identity doesn't really do anything new as an action film. It just does what it does well.This is just one of those fun flicks to watch, enjoy and quickly forget. In telling the story of Jason Bourne, a CIA super secret agent who loses his memory but retains his spy training and knowledge, the film doesn't break any new ground. It covers all the standard spy genre staples without getting too clichéd (no outrageous spy gizmos a-la Bond), it tells an interesting story that isn't too overused, but formulaic enough to not be too stimulating, and provides ample excuses to bring on car chases and explosions. Matt Damon adds a star to this flick, his presence always seems to raise the bar of any film he's in. It may not stretch his acting abilities, but it is fun to see him in the role of an action hero, even though his character doesn't remember he is. That amnesia is part of what makes Bourne work as a character. He isn't that confident, self-assured spy you usually get, he's confused and frightened by his physical and mental abilities. This theme of identity adds a lot to the film's atmosphere. In a nutshell, don't expect anything but a good time with The Bourne Identity. It's not a memorable film, but it does it's job well.
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Summary: Director's Commentary adds much insight to great movie
Review: I have read most of the over 250 reviews of The Bourne Identity DVD on this site. Many of those who did not care for the film might appreciate or understand it more if they were to watch the DVD with the Director's Commentary turned "on". Doug Liman gives a whole new insight to the film and characters with much behind the scenes information. His commentary addresses many of the issues reviewers had, i.e. great difference between book and movie, Matt Damon's acting style and portrayal of Jason Bourne, motivation of characters, relationship between Marie and Jason, etc. It gives a whole new dimension to the film. Buy this DVD and watch it without commentary and then again with commentary. Enjoy!
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Summary: matt damon at his best so far
Review: wow, based on a novel that kicked some ..., and sold thousands and thousands of copies, the film has done it justice, the screenplay is excellent and the storyline with substance and quality that is surpassed by few films or books. with one of the best car chases since the french connection, and the best mini since the italian job, i think that it has everything. matt damon looks like he has been in the gym for six months to get his physique but all top notch and some great english actors also, at least i think he is english, the guy from the croupier and gosford park
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Summary: Fine Thriller
Review: Being a big fan of the Jason Bourne trilogy, written by the now deceased Robert Ludlum, I approached this movie version of the first book with some trepidation. First, I thought the story portrayed in the novel was impossible to put to film, as it is very complex and a bit dated. Second, I thought there was no way Matt Damon could portray the skilled killer, Jason Bourne, as he was written in the novel. The novel version of Bourne was more rugged, more cold and merciless. I could not see Will Hunting in that role. After seeing them movie however, I was happily wrong on both counts. The story of the Bourne Identity is expertly crafted in this movie version. Jason Bourne is a CIA assassin, living under deep cover in Europe. He is run by the ruthless CIA operator Mr. Conklin, played by a dangerously dour Chris Cooper. This arrangement goes to hell when Bourne is found near dead in the Atlantic Ocean by a French fishing boat. He has no memory of his past, of his identity. However, as he goes through certain experiences, he realizes he has some extraordinary abilities. Bourne knows a multitude of languages, a photographic memory, a strategic mind, and a range of violent skills. Using the few clues he has, Bourne begins to piece together his life, and realizes what a dangerous game he is playing Back in Langley, the Black Ops division of the CIA is panicked. Bourne has gone off the reservation, is operating independently. Obviously, this is not acceptable. The call goes out across the continent, to various CIA operators. Their orders are to kill Bourne and his young female companion Marie, played by the elegant German actress Franka Potente. Deadly men begin hunting Bourne, while the CIA tracks him electronically. Bourne has to dodge his fellow assassins while getting to the truth of his own life, and why he is so threatened in the first place. Matt Damon is very good in this movie, precisely because of his image. Watching the fresh faced young actor dispatch numerous adversaries with deadly skill is a treat to watch, as you can definitely believe his ability to live under deep cover. All the acting is done well, and the car chase is one of the best on film. The action sequences are exciting and mostly believable, except for a few spectacular actions. The twist at the end is interesting, as is the general atmosphere. It has been a while since an American thriller has used Europe to such an effective extent. One thinks immediately of Ronin with Robert Deniro. Overall, The Bourne Identity is a solid thriller that will entertain action film fans and their thriller fan cousins.
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Summary: The Bourne Identity a close 2nd to the book
Review: Great action guy flick. It reminded me of The Saint, however, Matt Damon has a greater range as an actor then Val Kilmer. Overall the story is fast paced and action packed. Also the chick in the movie is a POA
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Summary: A highly enjoyable espionage film
Review: What a pleasant surprise this was! I had originally hoped to see this when it came out in the theaters, but the multiple bad reviews I read and the two friends I had who disliked it made me take a pass on it. Now, I am mystified why people disliked it. I thought it was a first rate spy thriller. I had only one serious complaint (a scene in which our hero jumps off an extremely high point holding a corpse underneath him to break the fall: sorry, a corpse isn't a parachute and wouldn't have kept his body from being crushed by impact). By and large, it was a thoroughly satisfying spy flick. I never read the Robert Ludlum novel or saw the first version of the film, but I love the premise: a man is found floating in the Atlantic with two bullets in his back and a tiny canister in his right hip, a canister that contains information about a Swiss bank account. Gradually, the man, played by Matt Damon, learns that he possesses a perplexing range of skills with languages, fighting, using a gun, being preternaturally aware of his surroundings, and driving a car. With the help of a young German woman, fetchingly played by RUN LOLA RUN's Franka Potente, he heads off to Paris from Switzerland, where, as they say, the plot thickens. I like the way that Matt Damon manages to exude a profound sense of self-confusion while learning that his fighting and survival skills were off-the-chart. He will accidently get into a fight, leaving two or three people severely injured, and he would be profoundly completely rattled by what he had been able to do. I don't want to exaggerate the merits of the film. It isn't a masterpiece; it is a highly enjoyable spy flick. Everything is executed well, and of the supporting cast Chris Cooper stands out as Bourne's "control" in Washington, DC. I think anyone who enjoys espionage or action films will find this movie well repays the time spent viewing it.
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Summary: Captures Ludlum's spirit
Review: Ludlum's stock and trade plot development involved a man caught in extraordinary circumstances with all sorts of people trying to kill him. Certainly, the Bourne Identity was one of Ludlum's better books, and the movie captures the helter-skelter, holding on by the edge of your finger tips tension found in the novel. Matt Damon continues to surprise me with his ability to enter into different roles and pull it off. His performance as Jason Bourne is great. I particularily liked the scene in the Swiss bank where he opens up the security box and finds a dozen passports and lots of cash. The fight sequences were believable (unlike the trend towards using wires and performing impossible jumps). The DVD talks about an alternate ending, but I wasn't all that impressed with. I appreciated the director's commentary.
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Summary: interesting movie
Review: this movie follows an interesting plot as an amnesiac discovers his super-spy abilities and why. The film is a little slow paced for the typical action thriller but still a nice performance by Matt Damon in a enjoyable movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Fun but...
Review: OK, here's the problem: I've read the book three times already,(and I know I'll read it again), so I can fairly say it's one of my favourites. I saw this film and I found almost nothing even similar to the book.
If you did not read the book, the film is OK, entertaining and with LOTS of action, but if you are an old Jason Bourne fun like me, go grab your old paperback, relax and stick to the real J.B.
Rating:
Summary: Great Action Sequences but Flawed Plot
Review: Jason Bourne wakes up adrift at sea with no memory of who he is, how he got there, or why he has two bullets in his back. As he follows the few meager clues he has to find his identity, he attracts the attention of someone or someones who want to kill him. Yet he seems to already possess the knowledge needed to stay alive. Can he outwit his opponents to find his missing memory? This movie came highly recommended to me, so I couldn't wait to see it. I was drawn in from the beginning and the action sequences had me on the edge of my seat. I was also intrigued to find out what was really going on. However, as the movie progressed, I began to get very disillusioned with it. Jason keeps making mistakes that I knew better then to make. And, sure enough, they get him in more trouble. For a character that was established from the beginning as a smart spy, this really bothered me. If you're willing to forgive plot holes, there are some wonderful action sequences here to enjoy. Otherwise, skip this movie in favor of something where the plot makes a little more sense.
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