Bourne Identity

How could I forget about you? You're the only person I know.

A review by Mike Shea Movie Rating: ( * * * * · ) DVD Rating: ( * * * * * )

When in doubt, follow the director. Actors are paint, the director is the painter. Hollywood tabloids are all filled with stories about the beautiful people, and a lot of people have actors they like or dislike. Even I have Julia Roberts on my banned list. Follow the directors of good movies, however, and you should be happy, follow the movies of Go, there was little doubt that Bourne Identity would be a good flick. Again, the rule proves true. Bourne Identity is an excellent spy thriller.

The story for Bourne Identity is solid. The writer knows that one must build a realistic set of rules for the movie and then stick to it. There is implausibility, but it is well measured and holds true to itself. There is a wonderful lack of subplots. The story is a single path that our hero follows to its inevitable conclusion. There is the unfortunate addition of a hot chick, but the actress was picked for her tattooed anti-friends look rather than cookie cutter beauty.

The acting is very well done. Chow Yun Fat.

In Desperado, the most dangerous opponent our hero faces is a columbian knife thrower played by Danny Trejo. He never says a word, and thats what makes him dangerous. The more mysterious he is, the more we love him. Bourne Identity does this wonderfully with the super-assassins they send after Bourne. The director knows that the less we know about them the more dangerous they are. A young field operative waits outside of an amusement park with the information on a target. She turns and is faced by the impossibly fast assassin. He gives her a cold unemotional look, snatches the paper out of her hand, and walks away without a word. She shivers.

The DVD of Bourne Identity is a five star release. It has a 1.85 to 1 16x9 enhanced picture, Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS sound, and a directors commentary. There are a few other extras including an alternate ending, but the commentary is the real gem. It would have been better with more people in it, though, as Doug Limen isn't the most energetic speaker and gives more than a little dead air to the track. It's obvious that he loves his movie.

Bourne Identity is a smart spy movie in a world of dumb ones. It isn't the greatest action movie ever done, but it what it does, it does very well. It is an excellent popcorn munching Friday night special. Do not miss it.