The Bourne Identity

Cast: Matt Damon, Franka Potente, Chris Cooper, Clive Owen, Brian Cox and Josh Hamilton

Director: Doug Liman

Release Date: 2002

Running Time: 1hr 59 minutes

Genre: Action/Thriller

Rating: 12

Format: Sky Cinema

Synopsis:

Jason Bourne is found and picked up by a fishing boat, covered in blood and filled with bullets and finds himself suffering from severe amnesia, before racing to elude assassins and regain his memory. 

Based on the book of the same name by American author Robert Ludlum. This is the first of four movies based on Ludlum's  novels. Jason Bourne is pulled from the Mediterranean sea by an Italian fishing boat. With no clue as to who he is, he is blood ridden and filled with bullets, with nothing to show but a pile of fake passports and a Swiss bank account number displayed by miniature laser disc found in his hip. It doesn't take long for him to realise that he is being hunted down by someone who wants to kill him. Bourne (Damon) must travel to Paris with friend Marie Kreutz to find clues about his identity and why he is being hunted down.

The storyline really has a sense of mystery to it. How is it that Jason Bourne has no memory? Why does he possess intense survival skills? Is Jason Bourne who he really is? When the men in Switzerland know his location they begin to hunt him down. There is an awful lot of character development, particularly between Jason and Maria. Damon delivers a very good performance, he really manages to keep quite a deadpan expression throughout the course of the film, a real look of confusion. He doesn't know who he is or where he came from, Damon really shows that emotion fantastically.

Action packed from beginning to end, not only is it exciting but really thrilling too, full of suspense and tension. Chris Cooper delivers a tremendous performance, like all of his roles he is really able to show emotion terrifically on screen, Cooper stars as Conklin one of many men hoping to hunt down and kill Jason Bourne. The story is essentially Jason's journey into finding who he is and where he came from. There are moments where you feel like there is a piece of the puzzle missing,  avid readers have mentioned how much more the novel goes into detail. Although it's very nicely shot there are a few editing issues, particularly at the beginning of the film, although it's not too obvious, it does take a little bit of the magic away from the story.

The action sequences have been very coherently shot, with the use of terrific cinematography and lighting, the scenes really come to life and look realistic. Director Doug Liman has heavily relied on action sequences to explain the story. These sequences are heavily chaotic, very much like the mind of Jason Bourne. Fast thinking and quick. Set in the heart of Paris, the city works really well with the storyline. Adding a real sense of mystery to the film and there whereabouts of Jason Bourne. A highly entertaining film, full of action and depth.

4.5/5 stars