Die Bourne Identität

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)

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)

A traditionally straightforward espionage ride in which director Doug Liman delivers several top-notch action sequences according to modern audience demands. However, the film also relies on a captivating plot that, compared to the original book, may come up short, but in the case of this film, I'm willing to tolerate it because of the brisk pace, which briefly eases in the second third but then picks up full speed again in the end and manages to engulf the viewer throughout the full two-hour runtime. The careful work with the camera, which perfectly captures the action scenes, and the use of a cold color filter that complements the slowly snowing Paris, along with the excellent musical accompaniment by John Powell, are just a few of the film's strengths. Not to mention the precise performances by the cast, where although a young Matt Damon might raise some eyebrows, his minimalist expressions suit the role perfectly. One minor criticism could be directed at the occasional "late" editing, which reveals the stuntmen "catching" falls. However, even after seeing the film more than ten times, it's impossible not to give The Bourne Identity a perfect review with a smile on my face. (21.01.2005)

Ein Agent ohne Vergangenheit und ein bisschen auch ohne Wumms. Matt Damon ist schon prima und sage ja nicht, dass ich dieses Konzept eines "Mannes aus dem Volke", der sich während einer Krise in eine Killermaschine und den Meister einer genialen Fluchtstrategie verwandelt, nicht mag. Jedoch der Charakter des Jason hat mir eher in Action mehr gefallen, als außerhalb, wo es ihm an Charisma und ein wenig auch an Überzeugungskraft fehlt. Doug Liman hat hier ein paar sehr solide Actionszenen aufgezeigt, die so richtig viel Spannung haben, wie es sich eben gehört. Dann folgen abermals ein paar Passagen, wo sich der Film darum bemüht, cool und spionartig zu wirken, aber der Aha-Effekt stellt sich einfach nicht ein. Nichtsdestotrotz ist die zivile Ebene eines "Agenten ohne Vergangenheit" trotz aller Durchschaubarkeit und Damons Steifheit so richtig in Ordnung und wird künftig sicherlich nicht nicht ohne Einfluss auf die Zukunft des Agenten 007 bleiben. Auf jeden Fall passt hier Franka Potente gut hinein, und überraschenderweise hat auch das letzte Happy End etwas in sich. Ich habe irgendwie das Herumgezaubere mit dem alternativen Ende nicht verstanden, welches die Macher nach dem 11. September geplant haben. Es ist nämlich derart bis zum Verblöden korrekt, dass ich ehrlich gesagt enorm froh bin, dass es nicht Bestandteil der scharfgeschalteten Version geworden ist. Schließlich ist ja die Aussage eines der Filmemacher, dass es nach dem 11. September aussah, als wäre dies das Ende in Filmen gezeigten Explosionen, bezeichnend genug. Die Zeiten ändern sich, aber Agent Bourne und die Explosionen bleiben. Nach dem ersten Teil der Trilogie würde ich ja da auch sagen: Es ist ganz gut so. (14.02.2008)

A lively spy thriller and, despite being the second adaptation (the first was a two-part adaptation with Richard Chamberlain), it has a certain charm. Certainly better than a lot of action/spy movies I have seen lately (and I’ve seen perhaps too many). Just a shame that the theme has been rather over-used and so you know exactly what to expect and when to expect it. Damon is absolutely convincing and it is easy to “be fooled into thinking" that he is just a harmless young man with a pleasant face and his subsequent rebirth into a killer is just perfect. Too bad that in the second half the movie becomes loses a little of the atmospheric and pace of the first half. It is a crying shame that the director didn’t give Powell’s great soundtrack more of a chance to make a mark. The entire movie is spoiled by the final over the top jump; this belongs more in “triple-x" movies than in anything trying to be a little serious. Simply a good attempt at a genre piece that walks its own original path. Until the finale, that is. (03.08.2004)

I've been waiting long enough, and I got even more. Specifically, a perfectly intimate action drive, which has no equal in its genre. And even though the viewer knows well where the plot is heading, they gladly follow the path of agents, bosses, assassinations, and betrayals. The secret of the main character works superbly. And despite all the admiration, I have to admit that at that time, I didn't even hope that Jason could become the most impressive killer of the 2000s and that the adaptations of Ludlum's books would become almost artistically popular affairs loved by both perfectionists and ordinary viewers. (11.02.2005)

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. (22.07.2011)

Action movies are not my cup of tea, but this one is really worth it. First of all, it relies on a sophisticated script, which is not primarily aimed at viewers with the mentality of an oversized ten-year-old child, and on an unconventional, rather civilian portrayal of the main character. Damon is perfect for the role of a disoriented agent and demonstrates excellent physicality. High pace, maintained tension, and an atmosphere of unpredictability. After the second viewing, I increase the rating to 90% and add a fifth star... (18.05.2007)

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)

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)

Eine Geschichte aus den "alten Zeiten“, die ein modernes Tempo hat, mit dem sympathischen Matt Damon und den zu wenig genutzten, aber glücklicherweise doch interessanten Nebenfiguren von Brian Cox und Clive Owen. Im Gegensatz zu anderen Zuschauerinnen und Zuschauern bin ich jedoch nicht der Meinung, dass der Vergleich mit dem Fernsehfilm Agent ohne Namen mit Richard Chamberlain unfair oder unangemessen wäre. Der ältere Film würde in meinem Fall gewinnen. Vor allem deshalb, weil seine Geschichte irgendwie mysteriöser und unvorhersehbarer ist und weil er auch Action hat (natürlich nicht so eine wie in diesem Streifen). (30.01.2015)

An incredibly well made tribute to the spy genre, which works great on all fronts throughout its two hour runtime, and, in terms of the complexity and the intensity of experience, surpasses all Bond films except Skyfall. The unrelenting pace of the plot is accentuated by the contact cinematography and the overblown genre soundtrack, while the action scenes themselves are so stylishly and clearly shot that they don't lose their impact even after the tenth screening. The beginning of a series from the realm of viewer's dreams. (22.09.2016)

Die Serie über Jason Bourne betrachte ich als die am meisten überschätzten Actionthriller. Die größte Schwäche des ersten und des zweiten Teils (zum dritten kann ich mich wahrscheinlich nicht mehr aufraffen) besteht in der geistlosen Handlung, Matt Damon bewegt sich durch die Welt oder im Fall von Teil eins von der Schweiz aus durch Frankreich, nicht wissend, wer er ist, was er ist und warum er ist, doch an einige Sachen, Bewegungen und Wörter kann er sich hervorragend erinnern, von seinen tollen Sprachkenntnissen ganz zu schweigen, mit seinem perfekten Deutsch und Französisch könnte er im diplomatischen Dienst arbeiten. Wenn das ein Actionfilm gewesen sein soll, dann hat er zu wenig Action, wenn es ein mitreißender Thriller mit einem durchdachten Drehbuch gewesen sein soll dann versagt er auf der ganzen Linie, insgesamt entsteht ein langweiliges, uninteressantes und schrecklich dummes Schauspiel. Jason Bourne würde kurzum von Jack Bauer oder Ethan Hunt den Hintern versohlt bekommen. Zumindest war in Teil eins Paris zu sehen. (20.09.2008)

It falls slightly short of its successors in its traditional story structure. (15.06.2010)

A film that I have heard a lot about. About it and its sequels. And I have been avoiding it for a long time, like I do with classic films by Coppola or Stone. I simply didn't get around to watching them, so I thought it was time and that I would combine them into one chain and watch the other films in the series, including the latest one, which is also highly acclaimed. The fourth sequel is definitely a good result, especially since Matt Damon did not return for the fourth time. Here we have him in all his youthful beauty. He was 32 years old in 2002 and still looked pretty hot. His performance was even more dazzling because no one expected him to start acting like a real professional assassin. He is incredibly believable and the role suits him. But... somehow the enthusiasm didn't catch on. Robert Ludlum's source material is quite worn out. Not because it has been filmed so often, but because a similar element is used more frequently. For once, I would appreciate it if there was no government or some government organization that could be blamed for the person losing their memory. Memory loss is such a powerful element that can be used in other ways, not just within a secret program, etc. It's not bad, of course, but I would like to see some invention for once. Not just a silly one, but a truly meaningful one that won't be about secret agents. "The Bourne Identity" ultimately works well in this regard, the story is logical, it is set in a functioning environment, but I just can't shake the feeling that it's something seen many times before. Additionally, I found the action to be a bit lacking at times. On the other hand, Matt Damon is the man who guides you through the whole film, and you will be satisfied because you simply will root for him. An innocent person who has no memories tries to stand up against an evil government organization. This simply must excite all opponents of organizations like the CIA or FBI. It's a good film, but I was just expecting a little more. More: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2013/01/divosi-10-years-divoka-stvoreni-lets.html (05.03.2013)