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Notes:
Salvaged and near death, from the ocean by an Italian fishing boat, a man recuperates but suffers from total amnesia...except for a range of extraordinary talents in fighting, linguistic skills and self-defense that speak of a dangerous past. He sets out on a desperate search-assisted by the initially rebellious Marie-to discover who he really is, and why he’s being lethally pursued by assassins.
Thriller - This is NOT an action film. It does contain some good action scenes,
but not very many. The story mainly shows a guy with amnesia trying
to figure out who he is, which some may feel is a little slow. As he
discovers he's an assassin, things heat up and it gets pretty
exciting. So, if you feel the first half of the movie is a little
slow, just wait, it gets better. I believe this movie will be
enjoyed by everyone, but possibly more so by adults who enjoy an
interesting story and don't require non-stop action.
PROFANITY: 2 F-words, 6 GD's SEX/NUDITY: None VIOLENCE: Some brutal fights and killing. Somewhat graphic. DRUGS/ALCOHOL: None ACTION: Some chases (car/foot), and the violent action. Overall not a lot. COMEDY: Not very much. Didn't try to be funny.
The above rating is an average of the critic reviews below.
(Close new window when finished with Full Reviews)
Entertainment Weekly
Full
Review Above Average "If Bourne himself had been shocked, or even appalled,
by the hidden reality of his existence, then the movie might have generated some
more tension. But The Bourne Identity has a sullen roteness that all of
Liman's supple handheld staging can't disguise.''
Roger EbertFull
Review Good "The Bourne Identity is a skillful action movie about a
plot that exists only to support a skillful action movie. The entire story is a
set-up for the martial arts and chases. Because they are done well, because the
movie is well-crafted and acted, we give it a pass. Too bad it's not about
something.''
USA TODAYFull
Review Very Good "The Bourne Identity is what summer screen
escapism used to be in the decades when it was geared more to grownups. Doug
Liman's directorial style, honed on Swingers and Go, is too fresh
and kinetic for him to deliver a movie that seems old-fashioned. And yet, here's
the kind of expertly cast action-intrigue that played well in the '50s and '60s
when backed by air conditioning on a 90-degree evening.''
TV Guide OnlineFull
Review Above Average "This savvy adaptation of Robert Ludlum's
action-clogged 1980 bestseller benefits from the fact that the filmmakers were
smart enough to throw out most of the book's preposterous spills and thrills and
concentrate instead on its intriguing central character:''
Note: The rating
above is our interpretation of what the critic would give this movie based on their review.
We are not affiliated with these critic's in any way.
Be sure to read the
DETAILED OPINIONS
The positive and negative comments made by moviegoers are very
helpful when selecting a movie that's appropriate for you and your family.
OPINION OVERVIEW The following is the original "What's Worth
Watching" write-up for this movie.
Moviegoer Opinions:
I'm certainly glad to see these very high opinions. I thought more moviegoers would complain about the level of action, but apparently most either didn't think it was slow or wasn't expecting a pure action movie. Either way it's obvious this is a movie I CAN HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
Moviegoers pretty well rated it the same as I did, very good (most opinions were in the "Excellent" to "Very Good" range), but not great (not a high percentage of "Fantastic" opinions). The very few opinions that are just a little low means it's a movie with wide appeal.
Cinema Review Opinion: (before moviegoer opinions are collected)
A very good movie, but not great. It's certainly entertaining and I highly doubt anyone will feel ripped off seeing it, but some action fans may feel it was a little slow. The action it contains is good, but nothing special. It comes in spurts with fairly long periods where some may feel it's slow.
I really enjoyed "The Bourne Identity," and recommend it to everyone, including action fans, as long as they go knowing it's not all action. If you don't require a lot of action I feel your chances of enjoying this movie are very high.
The story opens as an amnesiac (Damon)
is rescued at sea by the crew of an Italian fishing boat. Nearly dead, he
carries nothing but the bullets in his back and the Swiss bank account number
embedded in his hip. Although completely without identity or background, he
possesses an array of extraordinary talents in fighting, linguistics and
self-defense that speak of a dangerous past. In the present, he is disoriented
and wary as he is propelled into an urgent search to discover who he is and why
his life has taken this perilous turn.
A Zurich safe deposit
box yields an assortment of passports, a hefty load of cash, an automatic weapon
and a name ... Jason Bourne ... with a Paris address. What it means remains a
mystery, but Bourne quickly realizes that although he knows no one, there are
people who recognize him - and do not wish him well. When he meets Marie Kreutz
(Franka Potente), a hard-luck German-born wanderer, he makes a desperate pitch
— $10,000 for a ride to Paris. Despite her reservations, Marie takes the cash
and begins a journey with Bourne that changes her life forever.
The trail of Jason
Bourne's past snakes from Europe to CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia,
where Treadstone, a controversial clandestine operation is based. As Bourne and
Marie struggle to stay below the radar in France, all of the stealthy muscle of
Treadstone is focused on tracking them and neutralizing Bourne as quickly and
efficiently as possible.
