Good, Intelligent Thriller!

Rating: 8/10 (22 January 2003)

When I think of spy films, generally what comes to mind are the James Bond films, the Misson: Impossible films, the Jack Ryan series, or perhaps even James Cameron's take on the spy film genre, True Lies. The Bourne Identity, however, is more like the Jack Ryan series in that it is a serious film. Starring Matt Damon (Dogma), and Chris Cooper (American Beauty), The Bourne Identity is a nice break from the more Â‘over-done' series of spy films. The story centers around a man who has amnesia, and with the help of a young woman, he tries to discover the secret of his own identity. But the truth is difficult to face when he realizes that he is an assassin for the American government. Filled with great action sequences and some cool car chases, The Bourne Identity proves to be a thriller that not only provides excitement and intrigue, but brains, as well. ***