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The Bourne Identity [HD DVD] [2002] [US Import]


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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

Freely adapted from Robert Ludlum's 1980 bestseller, The Bourne Identity starts fast and never slows down. The twisting plot revs up in Zurich, where amnesiac CIA assassin Jason Bourne (Matt Damon), with no memory of his name, profession, or recent activities, recruits a penniless German traveler (Run Lola Run's Franka Potente) to assist in solving the puzzle of his missing identity. While his CIA superior (Chris Cooper) dispatches assassins to kill Bourne and thus cover up his failed mission, Bourne exercises his lethal training to leave a trail of bodies from Switzerland to Paris. Director Doug Liman (Go) infuses Ludlum's intricate plotting with a maverick's eye for character detail, matching breathtaking action with the humorous, thrill-seeking chemistry of Damon and Potente. Previously made as a 1988 TV movie starring Richard Chamberlain, The Bourne Identity benefits from the sharp talent of rising stars, offering intelligent, crowd-pleasing excitement from start to finish. --Jeff Shannon


Brilliant Bourne, better than Bond
Review date: 2008-11-25 Rating: 10 out of 10

Jason Bourne (Damon) is suffering from amnesia. He finds a bullet in his back with a bank code and sets on a journey to find his identity.

When you see a body lying in the middle of the sea, completely motionless you know you're in for something special. This opening shot uses a great mix of colour and direction, with a sweet silence to create a sombre mood that will instantly engross you.

Matt Damon (The Departed) is Jason Bourne, the man lying in the middle of the sea. As a boat picks Bourne up we feel his memory loss and what follows is a flowing narrative filled with an intensity and interest.

Damon's depiction of Robert Ludlum's character is wonderful. Silent and professional, everything that was intended.

There have been many debates over Bourne and Bond. The British franchise is light hearted, has gadgets and has an overwhelming use of action encoded. Bourne however is more serious, professional and realistic.

This first instalment of the series for example has realism down to the ground. There are consequences to actions, there isn't much action and there are no clichés. Not to mention this 2002 hit climaxes with so many unanswered questions you will be ripping The Bourne Supremacy out of its case without a second thought. Recent Bonds Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace have been compared to the Bourne series as they are darker and more serious, but these 3 films are much more sophisticated than Bond will ever be.

This is by far more realistic than any Bond. Though the Bond films are funnier and have cool gadgets, the Bourne's have more realism, carefully choosing the action sequences and giving a highly intriguing portrayal of the American government and CIA.

The narrative is consistent and justifies the genre beautifully. The film dives into genres of mystery, crime, thriller and drama, giving a wide perspective of realism of its own.

The whole concept of finding his true identity invites viewers into the narrative and will leave you shocked come the chilling end. The dealings with the police fall into the crime area, and the dramatic turn of events involving beautifully directed memory flashbacks give this film a high dramatic turn.

The music score is wonderful. Playing softly in the background it gives the film a strong intensity feeling and Moby's Extreme Ways finishes the film off beautifully

9/10


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Reviews


Excellent thriller
Review date: 2008-05-22 Rating: 10 out of 10

I can't comment on whether this film is as good as the original or even whether it is faithfully adapted from the book, but as a thriller, it certainly doesn't disappoint.

I have never been a huge fan of Matt Damon, having been admittedly put off him by an ex housemate who was obsessed. However, as Jason Bourne, a secret agent with amnesia, he puts in a superb performance.

I was on the edge of my seat throughout this movie and I particularly enjoyed the police chase where our hero successfully navigates a mini down a flights of stairs!

One of the best films I have seen in a long time and I am just plain silly to have left it so long to watch it!

Worth buying, as you will probably want to watch it more then once.

Superior to the made for DVD/TV sequels
Review date: 2008-05-13 Rating: 10 out of 10

Watched this after viewing the sequels and I'm struck by how much better it is than the later Bournes. Visually composed with a sense of how images work on the big screen, it has none of the frenetic and pointless and overwrought hand-held shots of the later films. Where shots are handheld, they work brilliantly well. Where shots are sped up, they work. Great sound, great music, great acting and great directing. #

All action, less cliche.
Review date: 2007-10-27 Rating: 8 out of 10

As the previous reviewer points out, The Bourne Identity avoids the obvious jokes which pepper films such as Casino Royale. Whilst he feels this is a bad thing, personally I found the lack of lame, witless one liners lifted the film and the trilogy in general above francises such as Bond and Die Hard, which tend to rely on both ridiculous stunts and the afformentioned gags to fill the voids left by the acting and plot.

Bourne Identity is a superior action thriller with a tight twisting story and great acting and fantastic fight scenes. aimed at people who like their heroes gritty and real, rather than smarmy and idiotic.

An terrific and intense piece of cinema.
Review date: 2007-10-25 Rating: 10 out of 10

Much like many people i know, I heard good things about it when it was on the cinema but didn't go and see it. That was a mistake.

This is a magnificent spy-thriller. Matt Damon can be slightly hit and miss on occasion, but was perfectly cast as was the leading lady who played Marie (his companion). She was terrific.

The story has a good level of detail and complexity without getting too bogged down in itself - a common problem for many recent US films in this genre.

There was more realism in this film as well. The hero was not invincible. He was injured at several points and his battle scars didn't magically disappear two minutes later. On a more subtle level: I noticed that the weather was terrible the whole way through. It was overcast, snowing, wet, you name it: just about anything other than sunny. For some reason, I liked that a lot. It gave a good atmosphere and gritty realism to the film . Small point, big difference.

The supporting cast were great without being too over stated. Chris Cooper in particular impressed me and is sorely missed in the sequel.

All in all, a very well made spy film with a good balance between action and plot.

The DVD has very good picture and sound quality and features some good menu design, all in all a very well chosen 'blind purchase.'

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Chris Cooper
Brian Cox
Clive Owen
Franka Potente
Matt Damon

Creators:
Franka Potente (Primary Contributor)
Matt Damon (Primary Contributor)
Doug Liman (Producer)
Andrew R. Tennenbaum (Producer)
David Minkowski (Producer)
Frank Marshall (Producer)
Robert Ludlum (Writer)
Tony Gilroy (Writer)
W. Blake Herron (Writer)

Director(s):

Recording label: Universal Studios
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
EAN: 0025192775222
Binding: HD DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: AC-3, Colour, Dolby, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen,
Release date: 2007-07-24
Universal product code (UPC): 025192775222
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Running time: 119 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2002-06-14
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: French (Original Language)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: French (Subtitled)
Language: French (Dubbed)

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