Rating: Summary: A major departure from the book, but still worthwhile Review: I was disappointed when I found out the movie was loosely based on my favorite Robert Ludlum novel. Once I got over that, I was pleasantly surprised at how entertaining the movie was. Rather than rely on gimmicky special affects and things of that nature that plague so many of todays movies,it makes use of solid acting, a good story, and action scenes that feel like you are in the middle of them. I also enjoyed some of the quirkly humorous scenes throughout. A good ole fashion spy story!
Rating: Summary: a little dissapointing Review: This movie was very good but didn't have the characters in the book. One of the main characters Carlos wasn't in the movie. But the action was very good. I love the part where Jason grabs that guy and uses him as a cousion for the fall. All in all this is a must see movie.
Rating: Summary: A Fair Departure... Review: An entertaining piece in its own right, but a rather large departure from the book. Fans of the book will be dissapointed, mostly. For anyone who has seen the movie, read the book. I enjoyed both respective of their origins, and am of the opinion that this is a quality movie with good acting and action.
Rating: Summary: Deeper then the usual American action film... Review: Yeah, I know you're probably going to hang me for the title, but bare with me, pls! ;-) This is a quite interesting film because it has a story that goes deeper then most American action films, the underlying story makes this film something else. It's an interesting film about discovering yourself, all over again and wanting to change your life pattern. And on top of that it has a nice little love story to it as well!
Rating: Summary: Awesome flick Review: Contrary to one reviewer, I had no trouble believing Matt Damon as the action hero in this flick. In fact, I'm getting it just to study his martial arts moves. (He trained in some system from the Philipines, and it shows. All such sequences are choreographed, of course, but unlike a lot of hollywood chop-socky, the moves in this flick appear to be particularly efficient and effective.) Other aspects of the film were great, as well -- calm under pressure, resourcefulness, the potential benefits that accrue competence and training, and geting the job done, regardless of circumstances or adversity. A truly cool movie.
Rating: Summary: Identity crisis Review: The Bourne Identity is a perfectly watchable European spy-on-the-lam jaunt, best watched (as I did) as a captive audience, imprisoned on a long-haul plane trip. It certainly appeals when the alternative is studying the emergency procedures card. Matt Damon is credible, Robert Ludlum's plot is zippy, the central performances are solid enough (though the supporting cast is flakey, and the usually reliable Chris Cooper is plain ludicrous as Captain Trunk of the FBI). However, any pretensions the film has to be anything more than a rehash of number of typical seventies euro-thrillers is bogus. For one thing, the suggestions in the media that the Bourne Identity is "novel", "imaginative" or "refreshingly free of cliches" are way off the mark. I could barely see anything but retreaded cinematic technique: balaclava clad commandos abseiling through closed windows; the surgical removal of bullets, dropped clanking from forceps into tin dish, maniacal car-chases - clattering down stone staircases in Mini Coopers, if you will - cloak and dagger intrigue in the streets of old Europe: it all harks respectfully back to a time when for a film to have true class, it had to have Roger Moore or Sophia Loren in it. This is all good fun, of course, but shouldn't be confused with high concept cinema. So if James Bond's your idea of an intelligent political thriller, the Bourne Identity is certainly a step up to the big league. But other viewers may find it a little routine.
Rating: Summary: The Best Action Film of 2002!!! Review: "The Bourne Identity" is by far the best action movie of 2002! It starts fast and never slows down, from beginning to end. Matt Damon (of "Good Will Hunting"/"Saving Private Ryan" fame) delivers a dynamite performance as Jason Bourne; a CIA operative whos failed assassination attempt of a world leader causes him to be put for extermination by his own company. Coming from near-death, without any remembrance of the past, Bourne embarks to find and retrace why he is in the situation, he is, while battling those that seek to end his life. All this with the skills and techniques that are provided to him by being a CIA Op. Franka Potente (lead of "Run Lola Run," the best German film of the 90s: if you haven't seen it, check it out ASAP) is amazing as Bourne's penniless sidekick. She is smart, sexy, and a perfect compliment to Damon. They are an excellent pair together! This movie is amazing for its great dialogue, witty and charismatic cast, and non-stop action sequences. Chris Cooper is quite good as Bourne's former boss, who wants him dead ASAP. And, an upcoming star in Julia Stiles makes a brief appearance as a CIA employee. On top of the cast, the film is gifted with excellent cinematography. Set primarily in Paris, it has the ability to take that city that many Americans know well and transform it into an exotic masterpiece, ala Budapest or Prague. The camera angles of the scenes are fantastic, giving the audience plenty of excitement, as Bourne climbs down walls and beats his way through security officers. All in all, this is a movie that everyone will like. It is the action highlight of 2002, with maybe the best chase scene in the history of film (and that includes the 1971 classic: "The French Connection") And, what makes this movie so much better than let's say "XXX," is that Damon is believable as the smart, witty Bourne and his action sequences are riddled in athletic ability, then an overdoing of special effects. This film is quite believable, which adds to its aura. Definitely check this movie out, by all means. Built on a strong novel, it's a smart film, with a great cast, beautiful cinematography, and nonstop action. The action of film of 2002: "The Bourne Identity."
Rating: Summary: Very good flick Review: Although I have read a couple of Ludlum novels, I haven't read this one which is probably a good thing. Most movies made from novels suffer in Hollywood's translation. With that aside, the movie is very entertaining. Both Damon and Potente are good. This one definitely worth renting when it comes to video.
Rating: Summary: top 10 movie of 2002 Review: Now, I see enough movies to know what I like, and I like this movie. It wasn't necessarily a fantastic movie, but it was really fun to watch; just an overall good movie. Very much an action film, but with some love, an interesting story forms. I won't go into any detail about the storyline, however. Maybe Matt Damon wasn't the best choice for the main character, but he still did a good job, and I was very happy to see Franka Potente in this film (she was Lola in Run Lola Run, perhaps one of the best import movies ever). Overall, worth the $$$ you'll pay on amazon.com.
Rating: Summary: Best Thriller Of The Year Review: Matt Damon puts to rest any notion that he needs Ben Affleck on the screen with him in this suspense packed thriller. If "The Bourne Supremacy" (the next of the three movies in this soon to be trilogy)is half as good it will still be a blockbuster of a hit!
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