"Bourne Identity": Just As Good As "Supremacy," Maybe Better

Rating: 9/10 (1 March 2007)

This series, starring Matt Damon in the lead role, number two to date: "The Bourne Identity," directed by Doug Liman, and later "The Bourne Supremacy," directed by Paul Greengrass. "The Bourne Ultimatum," directed by Greengrass, will be released this summer (2007). The Bourne novels were written originally by Robert Ludlum, who, although still living just after "Identity" was released, did not get to see it before his death.
I don't know why Universal Studios decided to switch directorial horses in mid-stream. "Identity" proved that Limon had the film-making expertise, and delivered it in fine style.
In many ways, I think "Identity" was somewhat better than "Supremacy": the story just seemed to hang together a bit better. The Moscow Car Chase scene in "Supremacy" topped the Paris Car Chase scene in "Identity," but I actually liked the Kali-martial-art-laced Paris fight scene in the first film better than the Munich fight in the second.
Greengrass and crew were fine in "Supremacy," so much so that I decided to rent "Bloody Sunday," an earlier film directed by Greengrass. Bad mistake. I like "Supremacy," but "Bloody Sunday" was a very bad movie, in my opinion.
"The Bourne Identity" has its share of goofs and loopholes, but not enough to derate it too badly. After all, these character-driven spy thrillers are best viewed by just ignoring things like that.
Add a fine score, top-rate supporting actors, and superb cinematography to bring "The Bourne Identity" up to a level that is entertaining and fun to watch, even over and over again. Nine out of ten.