Slaughter

Rating: Null/10 (13 August 2003)

The Bourne Identity represents the latest butchering of a novel by taking some absolutely absurd liberties. First off, Matt Damon is terrible as Jason Bourne. His credibility is on par with Miss Piggy.
Aside from the atrocious script, the film also flunks because of poor editing and camera work. While it is not exaggerated in the MTV style of film, the Bourne Identity can simply be renamed "The Bored Identity" because of the poor pacing and failure to create any suspense. I don't know where Hollywood is hiring these new crew from, but ability is not one of their strong suits. This probably has Verna Fields rolling in her grave.
Marginal realism is something that Robert Ludlum attempted to create when he wrote the novel. Being the enormous fan of the books that I am, I was not impressed by the studio's attempts to "modernize" the story.
Overall, not worth your time. The Day of the Jackal and North by Northwest are superior to this uninspired and slow tub of lard. 1.5 out of 5 stars.