Depth and intrigue within the action/thriller genre, but most of all very exciting!

Rating: 9/10 (17 April 2005)

Having never read any of the books by Robert Ludlum the Bourne series was entirely new to me. Identity is the first of three films (The Bourne Supremacy has also been released just last year, with a third coming next year), and shows that there is life within the action/thriller genre.
James Bond and subsequent spy related films have become very predictable, but The Bourne Identity is not. Starting off with Jason Bourne (Matt Damon), salvaged off the French shores by fishermen, the film gives the audience a disorientated feel as our own hero comes to grips with his amnesia.
This is one of the key points to the film, like Bourne the audience is learning about his history following clues and getting mixed up with government conspiracy. It is from this plateaux that the film is able to deliver great action, photography, direction, acting (Matt Damon is excellent) and a car chase worthy of any of the 70s cop films.
Notable members of the cast include Chris Cooper (for me is one of America's most outstanding actors), Brian Cox and Clive Owen.
Overall an exciting film to watch for both film lovers, and analysts.