Robert Ludlum writes exciting, fast moving spy thrillers with well drawn characters, and he does it so well you do not want to put the book down.
I was very interested to see how this translated to the big screen, particularly as I always read a book before seeing a film made from it.
The Bourne Identity is the first of a trilogy and opens with Jason Bourne suffering from complete memory loss. Worse, someone is trying to kill him and he does not know who or why. As the movie unfolds he gradually works out that he must have been an assassin and he learns to deal with that knowledge and his pursuers. A strong love interest is added to the mix without overdue sentiment - it defintely adds to the suspense rather than detract. I won't go any futher into the plot because it will spoil your enjoyment.
The plot is quite convoluted in true ludlum fashion and this is not a movie to watch when half asleep. It commands your full attention and concentration and you then gey back the full power of the plot and the excellent filming and screenplay.
Matt Damon is a very good lead actor for this role - he has a non expressive face best suited to this part. He looks and acts stoically.
The filming has been done in such a way that you feel very much that you are experiencing everything first hand - as though you are Jason Bourne. The crowd/bystander scenes are the best I have ever seen in that they look completely natural as though the events that happen in the open really are a shock to the people there.
When I read the Bourne Identity I was certain that a sequel would follow because the ending was incomplete - the film does mirror this feeling.
The sequel, the Bourne Supremacy , picks up a quiet Jason Bourne living at peace who suddenly comes under attack for no apparent reason. His girlfriend is killed and the mayhem starts again.......
Again fast paced and well written and filmed the sequel is every bit as good as the original film - in fact the friends we watched it with found it even better. There are twists, explosions, car chases and a corker of a finish - a great film.
Having the two films together is a real bonus - I will definitely be watching both again more than once!
The alternate endings are interesting - probably more so to film buffs rather than good author buffs like me.
Do yourself a favour and get these films - you certainly will not regret it.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 2007 - Action/Adventure - Director: Paul Greengrass - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring:Matt Damon, Julia Stiles, Joan Allen, Edgar Ramirez, David Strathairn, Paddy Considine, Albert Finney
Production Year: 1964 - Action/Adventure - Director: Cyril Endfield - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring:Stanley Baker, Jack Hawkins, Ulla Jacobsson, James Booth, Michael Caine, Nigel Green
Production Year: 2002 - Action/Adventure - Director: Vincenzo Natali - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring:Lucy Liu, David Hewlett, Anne Marie Scheffler, Joseph Scoren, Matthew Sharp, Jeremy Northam
Production Year: 1977 - Action/Adventure - Director: Clint Eastwood - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring:Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke, Pat Hingle, William Prince, Bill McKinney
Re-rated based on Ciao's insistence that such reviews are no longer considered "Off Topic"
matt_fantastic 11.04.2006 14:08
Great films. I've stayed in the Westin in Berlin that features in The Bourne Supremacy. Tell us some more about what's on the DBV so we can rate...
Soho_Black 30.03.2006 13:18
I see you've posted this as a DVD review, but you've not mentioned the DVD. Are there any extras? If so, what are they and are they any good? If you add to this, or if you change it to be posted as a "Film Only" review, which can be done by accessing "edit review" in the top right of the review and changing the drop down menu under the "Which format are you reviewing?" question at the bottom, please let me know and I'll re-rate.
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Mar 22nd, 2006
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