Year: 2002
Directed By: Doug Liman
Written By: Tony Gilroy and Robert Ludlum
RYAN’S REVIEW
It took me many years to see this film, in fact I don’t think it was until after the third film was released that I saw any of the Bourne movies. I wasn’t willing to accept Matt Damon as an action star or even a serious actor in 2002 when this movie was released. At that time he and Ben Affleck seemed to be glued at the hip and I always found them annoying and not funny. I was wrong about Matt Damon though, he is a great actor as he proves with this movie and many others. Looking back I don’t know why I had that opinion and didn’t see the film. If The Matrix could have Keanu Reeves doing Kung-Fu then why couldn’t Matt Damon do a little Jeet Kune Do in the Jason Bourne film? The truth is that the genre isn’t really one that appeals to me, I’m not usually a fan of the superspy genre, though there are exceptions. The Bourne movies are great but they all have the feel of a Jack Ryan story to me, and I have never been a Jack Ryan fan. That’s why I like these movies but don’t love them. I am a sucker for a good fight scene too, and Matt Damon surprised me with his capabilities in that aspect.
Matt Damon may have fought and drove his ass off through this high paced action packed thriller but he wasn’t the only one, it has a good overall cast. I am not a huge Chris Cooper fan but I can stomach him and admit when he is very good. I cannot stand Brian Cox though, in fact I loathe him to no end, but this isn’t the only movie I have to put up with him through because I like the movie. The man is just so damned prolific, he is in a ton of movies and I cannot stand him. This role however is what he is made for and I can’t deny that, I still don’t like him though. Franka Potente plays the female lead, I know little of her in fact I did not even mention her in our post for Blow despite her playing a significant role in that film. She is good in this movie and she has good chemistry with Damon. Clive Owen was a rising star when this movie came out and he fitted in nicely with the rest of the cast, as did Julia Stiles and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje.
This movie is fast paced and action packed, a movie that nearly anyone will enjoy watching. It was a good starting off point for a very successful franchise. This movie is definitely worth your time and I would recommend it to anyone.
AMBER’S REVIEW
I thoroughly enjoy these movies. The first time I watched the first one, I thought it was a crazy amazing thrill ride. it keeps going and going and keeps you on your toes. You are constantly trying to figure out what is going on and who is who and why are these things happening. It is a thrill ride from the beginning to the end. I have never read the books, but I hear they are even better than the adapted movies. I almost don’t want to ruin what the movies have done for me with this story about Jason Bourne. It doesn’t matter who you are these movies are all really good and worth your time.
NEXT MOVIE: The Bourne Supremacy (2004)
The Movie Snobs 