IGN.com|AskMen.com|Rotten Tomatoes|GameSpy|FilePlanet|TeamXbox|CheatsCodesGuides|GameStats|Direct2Drive

RottenTomatoes.com

Register | Log In | What is RT?
It's our 10th birthday, so you get presents!
Home Movies DVD Celebrities News Critics Trailers & Pictures The Vine Forums
Box Office | Best Of | Certified Fresh | Showtimes
RT Search Powered by Google
 
MOVIES / ON DVD / THE BOURNE IDENTITY
The Bourne Identity

Rate This Movie

Write a Review
See Pictures
Share This Movie
Add to List
Buy Poster

Bookmark and Share

The Bourne Identity (2002)

83%
89%
94%
N/A
N/A
N/A
83 %
Reviews Counted: 179 Fresh: 148  Rotten:31 Average Rating: 7/10
 
Consensus: Matt Damon makes a convincing action hero in this solid, if old-fashioned (in the good sense), thriller.
 

How does the Tomatometer work?

The Tomatometer measures the percentage of positive reviews from Approved Tomatometer Critics for a certain movie.[-]

Runtime: 1 hr 59 mins

Synopsis: As THE BOURNE IDENTITY begins, a man who may or may not be Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) is found floating in the Mediterranean Sea and is hauled onto a fishing boat. When the ship's doctor examines the unconscious castaway, he discovers two bullet wounds and an implanted device that displays a... As THE BOURNE IDENTITY begins, a man who may or may not be Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) is found floating in the Mediterranean Sea and is hauled onto a fishing boat. When the ship's doctor examines the unconscious castaway, he discovers two bullet wounds and an implanted device that displays a Swiss bank account number. With nothing but this code, the amnesiac Bourne travels to Zurich and gains access to a safe-deposit box containing a gun, thousands of dollars in various currencies, and valid passports from numerous countries--each listing a different identity. Within minutes, Bourne is on the run from a seemingly ever-present agency, relying on language and fighting skills he didn't even know he possessed. Offering $20,000 for a ride to Paris, Bourne gains the reluctant help of the nomadic Marie (Franka Potente). Meanwhile, the shadowy organization, headed by a tough-talking bureaucrat (Chris Cooper), sends numerous assassins (including the Professor, played by Clive Owen) after Bourne and Marie. As their situation grows more perilous, the two strangers struggle to find out who Bourne really is and why they are being hunted. Doug Liman's adaptation of Robert Ludlum's best-selling novel is a remarkable exercise in straightforward storytelling, with the director wisely choosing to focus on Bourne and his quest for identity. The fight sequences are thrilling, but never overly glamorized, and the film's pacing is engaging and deliberate. Damon, who displays genuine bewilderment as his character discovers his almost-superhuman abilities, anchors the proceedings with the subtle charm of an unlikely action hero. Potente also shines as Bourne's road companion, a savvy woman who slowly builds an utterly believable relationship with the confused man. Bearing distinct affinity for its European setting and classic Hollywood suspense films, THE BOURNE IDENTITY succeeds as an unusually smart character-driven thriller. [More]

Genre: Action/Adventure

Starring: Matt Damon, Franka Potente, Chris Cooper, Clive Owen, Brian Cox

Director: Doug Liman
Screenwriter: Tony Gilroy, W. Blake Herron
Producer: Doug Liman, Pat Crowley, Richard N. Gladstein
Composer: John Powell

DVD Info

Release:

Jun 9, 2008

[DVD Details]

DVD Features:

  • Region 1
  • Snap Case
  • Full Frame - 1.33

Audio:

  • Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround - English, French, Spanish
  • Subtitles - English (SDH), French, Spanish - Optional

Additional Release Material:

  • Alternate Opening
  • Alternate Ending
  • Featurette - 1. THE BOURNE MASTERMIND: Robert Ludlum
  • 2. FROM IDENTITY TO SUPREMACY: JASON & MARIE
  • 3. THE BOURNE DIAGNOSIS
  • 4. THE SPEED OF SOUND
  • 5. DECLASSIFIED INFORMATION
  • 6. Inside a Fight Sequence
  • Interview - Access Granted: An Interview with Screenwriter Tony Gilroy
  • Music Video - "Extreme Ways" - Moby

Text/Photo Galleries:

  • Cast & Filmmakers
  • Production Notes

Reviews

 
T-Meter Critics
 
 
Top Critics
 
 
RT Community
 
 
My Critics
 
 
My Friends
 
 
DVD
 
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 >> >|
Arrange By: Name | Fresh | Rotten | Date | Source
 
 
Ratings Image
4/5

For once, a sequel would be welcome.

Full Review | comment Comment
12/30/06
Emma Cochrane
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
N/A

Efficient set pieces come neatly spaced every ten to 15 minutes -- just often enough to keep you credulous -- and the trans-European settings lend a classy backdrop.

Full Review | comment Comment
02/09/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
N/A

It resembles one of those travelogue thrillers of the 1960s, that were blown away by the success of James Bond.

Full Review | comment Comment
11/10/02
Christopher Tookey
Daily Mail [UK]
Ratings Image
4/5

In short, The Bourne Identity is an excellent thriller and is well-worth checking out.

Full Review | comment Comment
10/30/02
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon
Ratings Image
2/5

The Bourne Identity is a blockbuster without a point... Despite its good-looking veneer, its breakneck pace, its daisy-chain of expert set-pieces, some crucial logic or motive appears to have been junked along the way.

Full Review | comment Comment
10/02/02
Xan Brooks
Guardian [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
3/5

A fast-paced, unpredictable and edgy yarn that breathes new life into the espionage thriller genre.

Full Review | comment Comment
08/20/02
Neil Smith
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
3/5

Twists and turns keep the story increasingly complex and gripping, even if director Liman doesn't really pump up the adrenaline.

Full Review | comment Comment
07/14/02
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall
Ratings Image
4/5

Click to read the article

Full Review | comment Comment
08/07/08
Mark Halverson
Sacramento News & Review
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review | comment Comment
06/12/08
Todd McCarthy
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
2/4

Click to read the article

Full Review | comment Comment
12/27/07
Joe Lozito
Big Picture Big Sound
Ratings Image
N/A

You may be surprised by the fact that this formula spy thriller has been delivered with a matter-of-fact efficiency that proves highly entertaining.

Full Review | comment Comment
08/03/07
Beth Accomando
KPBS.org
Ratings Image
B+

A sleek espionage thriller that reduces the world to the size of a postage stamp. Matt Damon is terrific.

Full Review | comment Comment
07/26/07
Christopher Smith
Bangor Daily News (Maine)
Ratings Image
3/5

The movie is about muscular speed and skill, and that's all it's about. Like its hero, it's blank by design.

Full Review | comment Comment
07/23/07
Rob Gonsalves
eFilmCritic.com
Ratings Image
N/A

...Liman is also clever enough to make the real action start when the motor stops.

Full Review | comment Comment
03/03/05
Stuart Klawans
Nation
Ratings Image
B+

The Bourne Identity is an intense, violent, bite-your-nails-to-the-quick thriller.

Full Review | comment Comment
12/06/04
Jeffrey Overstreet
Looking Closer
Ratings Image
3/10

One of the many problems, other than Damon’s lack of emotion, is the fact that there’s no suspense.

Full Review | comment 2 Comments
10/07/04
Tony Medley
tonymedley.com
Ratings Image
N/A

...puts the snap, crackle and pop back into the spy thriller.

Full Review | comment Comment
07/23/04
Thomas Delapa
Boulder Weekly
Ratings Image
3.5/4

Liman can uncork leap-out-of-your-seat shocks, draw out suspense scenes with malicious finesse and even ease a touch of romance and droll humor into the yarn.

Full Review | comment Comment
05/19/04
Colin Covert
Minneapolis Star Tribune
Ratings Image
N/A

The result is an intriguingly paced thriller that knows how to milk some excitement out of smaller scenes.

Full Review | comment Comment
02/01/04
Charlie Brown
FilmStew.com
Ratings Image
2.5/4

All the style cannot make up for the flagging energy level of the narrative.

Full Review | comment Comment
01/12/04
Michael Dequina
Mr. Brown's Movies
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 >> >|
See More Topics...

Related Forums

REEL_REVIEWER
Should the BOURNE IDENTITY have been 'unborn'???
by: REEL_REVIEWER 4/8


REEL_REVIEWER
Should the BOURNE IDENTITY have been 'unborn'???
by: REEL_REVIEWER 4/8


REEL_REVIEWER
Should the BOURNE IDENTITY have been 'unborn'???
by: REEL_REVIEWER 4/8


REEL_REVIEWER
Should the BOURNE IDENTITY have been 'unborn'???
by: REEL_REVIEWER 4/8


Song Help - DVD Menu: Explosive Edition
by: Treadstone71 3/3
all

Pictures

See More Movie Pictures
all

News

Exclusive: Doug Liman Has Designs on Bond
posted by Joe Utichi February 15, 2008
The Jumper helmer tells RT that though he reinvigorated the spy genre with Bourne Identity and had the producers of Bond...


Box Office Preview: Four New Candidates Arrive For Presidents' Day
posted by Gitesh Pandya February 14, 2008
The annual convergence of the Valentine's Day and Presidents' Day holidays has lead to a unique situation this year as...


Angelina Jolie Set to Star as Real-Life Spy
posted by Jeff Giles December 05, 2007
Angelina Jolie is readying a return to the spy thriller genre -- with a twist.


Hollywood Braces for Writers' Strike
posted by Jeff Giles October 25, 2007
We're just a few days away from the Writers Guild strike deadline, and things aren't looking good.

Around the Network

• The Bourne Identity at Rotten Tomatoes
• The Bourne Identity at IGN
• The Bourne Identity at AskMen
About| Site Map| Help| RT To Go| Contact Us| Critics Submission| Linking to RT| Licensing| Movie List| Celebs List| Newsletter

IGN.com | GameSpy | Comrade | Arena | FilePlanet | ModCenter | GameSpy Technology
TeamXbox | Planets | Vaults | VE3D | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | GamerMetrics
AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | Direct2Drive


By continuing past this page, and by the continued use of this site, you agree to be bound by and abide by the User Agreement.
Copyright 1998-2008, IGN Entertainment, Inc. About IGN | Support | Advertise | Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Subscribe to RT's XML feed! IGN RSS Feeds
IGN's enterprise databases running Oracle, SQL and MySQL are professionally monitored and managed by Pythian Remote DBA
Certain product data ©1995-present Muze, Inc. For personal use only. All rights reserved.