Very good action fodder: I got exactly what I expected.

Rating: 8/10 (1 July 2002)

There are two kinds of "good movies": ones that expand moviedom by carving a new niche or genre, and ones that are quality additions to existing niches and genres.
"Bourne Identity" is the second kind of movie.
Some viewers here have complained that this movie is a rehashing of existing formulaic spy plots, and that it's predictable. Well: I counter those comments by accusing these viewers of being fools to expect otherwise from a spy thriller movie.
In the same niche as "Ronin" and "Mission Impossible I", the Bourne Identity promises good kick-butt action and adrenalized narrative. The Bourne Identity also delivers exactly that. There are no attempts at cultivating a complicated character narrative, nor are there Spielberg-esque attempts at social or political commentary. This movie is about 115 minutes of fun spy action.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS MOVIE: the hand-to-hand combat scenes were tremendously choreographed; the rock-climbing scene on the side of the building is a memorable demonstration of good climber form; car chases were delightful, and flavored nicely with European scenery; Franka Potente is a well-chosen female supporting character, and she avoids falling into an archetypal girly-girl role; the movie is paced well, and visually narrated well.
LOW POINTS OF THIS MOVIE: almost no comic relief... just when a good chuckle would relieve some tension, the tension just keeps building; a couple of scenes were muddled with the obscured camera angles.

OVERALL: if you like spy stuff, and you enjoyed Ronin, Spy Games, MI1 and MI2, then this is more action fodder for you. Action fans will definitely get their money's worth at half-price, and die-hard action fans will get their money's worth at full price.
3.5 Stars out of 5.