The Bourne Identity

In general terms it’s totally fine. It's got plenty of action, drama, and ambition. But what bothers me here is the rather unappealing atmosphere. It's like a mock-up or a set-up for something big that's not so big after all. I don't think Matt Damon was fully baked at that point. The same old pace can get boring after a while. 3.5 stars. (21/07/2011)

A great spy action movie with very nice atmosphere and likeable heroes. I don’t know if I have anything to complain about, everything works as it should. It was of course close to five stars, but the overall impression is not strong enough, maybe next time… I’m already looking forward to the sequel. (27/08/2008)

So I guess I got a taste for it the second time around. It's awesome, there's nothing else to say. Matt Damon is incredibly cool as an agent and above all, it's the realism that emanates from him that people like the most. The music adds incredible nuances, the cold atmosphere is more than good. For my taste, maybe not the most precise action, which is occasionally spoiled by a few sloppy cuts, but in terms of content, it's a ride. Maybe even better than The Bourne Supremacy. (26/10/2003)

Matt Damon, with his boyish appearance, doesn't fit into the super agent type, at first glance he looks like an ordinary dude, but when he reveals his fighting skills, you can see what a mistake that impression is. It makes you root for him all the more and relate to him. A superb thriller that does without exploding cars and piled-up corpses. The hand-to-hand fight in Bourne's apartment is one of the best I've seen so far. And not to mention John Powell's great soundtrack would be an unforgivable sin. PS: After a repeat viewing I am forced to throw in the fifth star, this likeable "action flick" has everything such a film requires. And to top it off with a polished script, with some interesting original moments. (02/03/2003)

I’m really pleased with part one of the Bourne trilogy. I didn’t use to like Matt Damon much, but thanks to this role I’ve got used to him. The directing is also excellent, even though I tend to prefer Greengrass’s style in The Bourne Supremacy than Liman’s. The story is clever, fast-moving with great momentum and surprises in places that you wouldn’t even think could surprise you. Simply a great watch that, two years later, was surpassed by part two. (31/05/2006)