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Rating:  - Bourne to Survive
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This movie is loosely based on the 1980 novel of the same name by Robert Ludlum (1927 to 2001).
Do you like action-packed mystery-thrillers? If you do, then this movie is a must-see.
The viewer along with the main character in this movie, later revealed to be Jason Bourne (Matt Damon), suffers from amnesia, not knowing his own identity (thus the movie's title) or anything about his past. As the movie progresses, both the viewer and Bourne discover one major thing: he posses a lethal survival skill-set that's light years above that of the average Joe. The other things Bourne discovers about himself make him unhappy with him, at one point saying:
"Everything I find out [about myself], I want to forget."
Once the viewer discovers that the premise of this entire movie is about discovering identity, then it can only hold the viewer's attention in one way: through action. It is on this that the movie delivers especially with respect to incredible fight sequences. One character summarizes the majority of the movie when he says that Bourne leaves a
"trail of collateral damage from Zurich to Paris."
It is at the movie's end that all is revealed.
Matt Damon as Jason Bourne effectively carries the entire movie. If not for his fine performance, I think this movie would have probably been a flop. I also found that the background music and sometimes gritty photography to be impressive.
This movie spawned two sequels: "The Bourne Supremacy" (2004) and "The Bourne Ultimatum" (2007).
The only problem with this movie is that the idea of Bourne constantly trying to discover his identity can become tedious. True, the action sequences attempt to take away from this tedium but I found myself getting a bit restless as the movie proceeded.
Finally, the DVD itself (the one released in 2004) is perfect in picture and sound quality. There are many extras including an alternate ending.
In conclusion, this movie introduces us to a new action hero and his name is Jason Bourne!!
(2002; 1 hr 50 min (excluding end credits); wide screen; 20 scenes)
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Rating:  - Poor video transfer spoils an otherwise worthy library addition
The video transfer of this film is too dark, but an adjustment to your TV brightness setting will yield an acceptable viewing. The extras are quite informative especially the part dealing with Ludlum's knowledge of the intelligence community.
Rating:  - Based on what?!!!!
The movie is awful. Boring. Plotless and the only thing that relates to the entire book is the title The Bourne Identity. The books that the movie is based on are three of the most cherished books in my library. 1st they do a really poor job of introducing the characters. It was not till the third installation that I finally learned the name of several of the characters.
Let me just list off who is not in the movie (these are MAJOR characters in the book too!):
Alexander Conklin - Jason Bourne's creator & friend.
Moe Panov - Jason Bourne's doctor & friend.
Carlos - Jason Bourne's nemesis, his equal.
These three characters are NOT just paramount in the story line - they ARE the story line.
I am certain that the screenwriters, directors and everyone else on board with this movie never read the books and only wanted to make a quick buck.
A sad excuse for a good book. An absolute chaotic nightmare!
Rating:  - everything I could ask for
The story, in brief, is a man is rescued by a fishing boat, with amnesia and bullet holes. In his quest to discover his identity, people try to kill him, and he reacts with professional swiftness. He teams up with a young woman, and together they elude the killers while searching for answers and falling in love.
This was obviously written with me in mind. I mean, come on--it's got almost every one of my favorite things: a spy story, action/adventure, amnesia, a romance--heck, the romantic interest is even German. What baffles me is that I'd never read Ludlum's book even though it came out at a time when I was reading a lot of spy novels. I've ordered it.
At any rate, I can't say yet how the movie compares to the book, but the movie is excellent. Matt Damon plays a man who doesn't realize he's a professional assassin perfectly--the combination of good-intentioned searching for his identity with the growing realization that he's not just some nice guy who works in an office is very convincing.
Franka Potente, too, is very realistic as an adventurous young woman who ends up in over her head, but is reluctant to leave because of her growing feelings for him.
The action is nonstop and exciting, and the mystery of who he is and why people are trying to kill him is compelling.
This is one of those rare movies I can watch over and over again. One of my favorites.
Rating: - Korina
As far as sequels go, this is top notch just as good as the first one. Great action and suspense.
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