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You're reading a really old version of matt-thornton's website. For example, if you're looking at the movie reviews... you'll notice that none of them are of recent films. Indeed, I leave them here for posterity's sake, but I doubt very much that they'll get updated anytime soon. So have a giggle.
You might, if you're lucky, find something recent from Matt at his blog matt's debates. Kernow bys vyken.
The Bourne Identity
the one line review:
memento meets mission impossible
the overview
Real time amnesia films are often awkward and frustrating because you're forever getting pissed off that no-one knows what's going on. So it's important to film them such that they're not irritating. And this is done like that.
the plot:
Jason Bourne (Damon) is discovered in the sea off the coast of France by a fishing boat, unconscious with two bullets in his back and no memory. All he has to work on is a bank account number for a bank in Zurich.
He spends the film trying to work out who he is, whilst running away from a bunch of people who really want to see him dead. Gradually, parts of his memory return, as he discovers he's trained in all sorts of non-civilian skills, and finally comes up against the man who knows what's going on.
the verdict:
It's good. It has a sort of James Bond feel to it. With a bit of Mission Impossible, and almost a bit of Speed in there. Damon is convincing as the man with no memory, who has to figure out who he is. It's quite long, but the tension is kept at appropriate levels for most of the film.
The only thing I'd say is, that I was sure I was watching it for the first time, and about half an hour in, I realised I'd already seen it. So either my memory is really bad (probably from too much alcohol) or the film's really not that memorable.
Worth rentin with The Bourne Supremacy and making a Bourne night of it.
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