"I liked it better when I thought he was dead."

Rating: 8/10 (20 November 2011)

"The Bourne Identity" is a taut, solid thriller that doesn't have to rely on explosive, over the top action and Bondian gadgetry. Matt Damon does a fine job defining the character of Jason Bourne, an amnesiac slowly reconfiguring his life as an assassin in the employ of the American government. I particularly enjoyed his martial arts scenes, though I'm wondering how much of that was Damon versus a stand-in. Franka Potente was believable as Marie, thrust into a situation that at a certain point allows for no return. The intrigue, mystery, action and chase scenes all blend together in a successful adventure that keeps one guessing, although the revelation of why Bourne failed to kill Wombosi brought the story down a notch from for me. A professional assassin wouldn't let feelings get in the way of doing the job. Another distraction was Brian Cox in the role of Abbott; I kept wondering how he could possibly look so much like Marlon Brando.