Cliched Entertainment

Rating: Null/10 (3 June 2002)

The Bourne Identity has things going for it as far as direction goes, acting, and even some action sequences, but the problem with the film in a closer inspection is that it has all really been done before. You've got the assassin on the run from his former employees and he tags along with a woman whom he just met.
Only twist here is that the assassin (Matt Damon) has amnesia and cannot remember who he is. That's the most original thing about the movie, and it gets its entertainment from there, but the movie has the incredible cliches that come with a movie that does not have the amnesia twist in the story line. When it gets to the end, the movie seriously goes on auto-pilot "Airplane!" style.
I liked the performances. It's always nice to see Chris Cooper play the antagonist, and Franke Potente is cool as always, but what is with Julia Stiles? I didn't even know she was in this movie, and I can see why. She doesn't do anything. She answers and transfers some calls. That's it.
Matt Damon proves to be a good action hero here, but something a little more original would do better justice. Even director Doug Limon proves he can handle the genre well, but this hardly does for action films what "Swingers" did for relationship comedy.
Do I recommend "The Bourne Identity"? On its entertainment factor, yes. I wasn't bored while watching it, so it's a good cheap seat movie, or if you've seen everything else. Other than that, go see the brilliant "Changing Lanes" again.