What makes this so rewarding is that you are equal with the main character...

Rating: 8/10 (26 February 2014)

When watching a film for the first time, it is necessary to allow yourself to be immersed completely in the story, characters and locations. This is harder if you have no background information, but can be even more rewarding if you commit to it. You learn as the characters do, and you follow their journey. What makes 'The Bourne Identity' so rewarding, therefore, is that for once you are on a complete equal with the main character in terms of information – you learn as he does.
The film tells the story of Jason Bourne (Matt Damon), a trained CIA assassin who has had his memory wiped, and is found by a ships' crew, floating unconscious in the sea. Gradually, we learn more about him as he does. He has a great set of skills which only need to be triggered to be used. He has a swiss bank account with a large number of passports, all in different names. After the CIA is notified as to Bourne's whereabouts, they send people to track him down, so he's constantly on the run. Damon is a really fantastic actor, and plays Bourne in a serious yet connectable way. Franka Potente also does a great job as Bourne's love interest Marie, and the chemistry between the two is a really fantastic part of the film.
One of the biggest problems with spy films in this day and age is the endless comparison with James Bond, and the need to be different. This is where the film succeeds so well. It's got gadgets, action, the girl, but treats them in a very different way. It's more realistic, the technology is ever present yet not futuristic, and the action sequences are far more stylised and extremely engaging. The fight sequences are gripping and the way they are shot reminds you of a martial arts film. The chase sequences are frantic and more intimate. And it's far bleaker than a James Bond film, more personal, and this is possibly all down to Damon's fantastic character.
The main problem with the film is its plot, which is at time difficult to follow, however the brilliance of the action sequences often makes up for this. It's a watchable and enjoyable film, with a lot of promise leading into the next instalments in the trilogy.