BOURNE, JASON BOURNE

A Film Review of "The Bourne Identity"

Copyright 2002 Glenn Walker

There are a literal crapload of James Bond wannabes out there this summer. XXX, Spy Kids 2, the new Austin Powers, Undercover Brother, Ben Affleck as Jack Ryan in The Sum of All Fears and of course the real thing comes in November in Die Another Day. Matt Damon as Jason Bourne in Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Identity comes the closest to what James Bond (and any secret agent movie for that matter) should be about.

Matt Damon makes the transition easily from drama and comedy to action thriller in this slick remake of the BBC miniseries that starred Richard Chamberlain and Jaclyn Smith. He's an amnesiac assassin on the run from his former employers who involves the amazing Franka Potente (Run Lola Run) in his quest for his true identity.

Great action sequences and compelling locations (Paris, Marseilles, Switzerland) highlight the production and the acting is top notch with the notable exception of Julia Stiles (O, Save the Last Dance, 10 Things I Hate About You) who is completely wasted here; the film's only disappointment.

So if you can't wait for the next James Bond installment here's the next best thing, check it out.


The above previously appeared at Project Popcorn.