Spoiled Movie

Rating: 6/10 (25 March 2003)

Certainly, Bourne Identity had a slightly-interesting premise. However, the execution was botched and rendered the film less appealing than it could have been.
The photography was universally bland and boring, except for the action scenes. During the action scenes, the photography was downright bad. The camera edits were confusing and changed perspective so frequently that the "important" scenes came off as unfinished and choppy; it was also quite evident that Matt Damon didn't really know much about what he was doing, as evinced by the camera shifting angles at key points of contact.

In addition to the blasé cinematography, the film had all the key elements of cheesiness that are so prevalent in modern cinema. Cars STILL do not explode when shot with a shotgun; when will Hollywood take Physics 101 and learn this? There were a plethora of completely unbelievable scenes that were clearly only for the purpose of eye candy and were designed specifically for the teenage machismo crowd.
The subplot (notice the singular) was hobbled-together and contrived, as if it were placed at the last minute. Several events were just TOO convenient.. . but, then again, this is Hollywood of which I speak.
I don't know why this film has such a high rating. I'm glad I didn't pay to see it in theaters or rent it. There was nothing redemptive to make this production stand out from the generously-proportioned crowd of which it is part.