The Bourne Identity: Well worth it

Rating: 9/10 (12 August 2012)

This movie, is simply great.
SPOILERS:
We're immediately thrown into the story (and the water) as Bourne wakes up on a fishing trawler with no memory of who he is or what he does, or just about anything really. His only lead being a code that takes him to a bank in Zurich. Quickly, though, he learns that he's an outstanding fighter, able to respond quickly to any threat, on pure instinct. He also quickly learns, that someone wants him dead, for reasons he of course, knows nothing about. So, as he learns more and more, so do we. And we're thrown into the life of an amnesiac that finds out that he's a killer, one of many, trained to kill without hesitation or emotion, all of them a part of the Treadstone operation.
And the life is hardly a flashy one. It's straight to the point, you do the job and get out, and more importantly, you don't fail, or you're likely to end up dead. Matt Damon is great as the amnesiac Jason Bourne, playing the character with 30% confusion, 30% frustration and 40% determination to survive. Franka Potente is just as great as Marie Kreutz, a woman swept along with the ride on a 10.000$ whim, thrown into the chaos, giving Bourne a supporting shoulder when he needs it the most. (and she's got a smile to die for, but that's neither here or there) She becomes the anchor, and though she at one point really doubts what she's gotten herself into or who Bourne really is, in the end her reluctance to leave and disappointment when Bourne finally gets her into the car is visible, and well played by the actress.
The movie pretty much sets its pace early, and it keeps to it, giving Bourne little to no time to find out what's going on without someone hunting for him or anyone that might come between them. He has no clever gadgets, no agency that protects his actions. He has only himself, his skills, and every now and then, Marie to help him survive the hunt for information. If you like action movies with a realistic touch to them, the Bourne series will hopefully not leave you disappointed.
At least, it didn't to me. 9/10.