Three surprises in "The Bourne Identity" ...

Rating: 8/10 (23 January 2003)

Disclaimer: I haven't seen the TV adaptation, and nor have I read Ludlum's novel, though I intend to.
Three things surprised me about "The Bourne Identity."
First, that Matt Damon could realistically pull off the extreme action. Aside from his age (am I the only one that thinks he's looked 21 forever?), I had no problem accepting Damon as the consummate assassin-avec-amnesia. He WORKED in those impressive hand to hand sequences ... grimacing, sweating, bleeding. And overall he pulled off the intensity Bourne would have to have.
Second, that the film would be so smart. Yes, of course there are cliches, but how in the world can you have a spy movie WITHOUT cliches? What I'm talking about, though, is deeper -- the director of the film consciously chose to believe in an audience willing to think. For example, in one short sequence, Bourne has found shotgun shells in a strange house, and desperately needs to find the shotgun quickly. From his POV, the camera flashes to a child's toys, children's books, and immediately Bourne checks the highest spot in the room, knowing that the house's owner wouldn't leave the shotgun in reach of a child. It's quick -- blink, blink, shotgun -- but it (and many other similar moments) gives the audience a real-time idea of how fast Bourne thinks and acts.
Third, that Franka Potente -- a relative unknown -- could carry herself beside a big name like Damon. She's very, very good, moving from fear through fascination and desire back to fear again. (And, as I indulge my sexist self, she's also beautiful.)
I give "The Bourne Identity" and 8 out of 10. It's my favorite spy flick since Dalton's "License to Kill," and I may even like it better.