The Bourne Identity

Name: The Bourne Identity
Genre: Action, Adventure, Mystery, Thriller
Released: June 14, 2002
Duration: 119 min
Rating: 68
Cast: Franka Potente, Matt Damon

2002

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 38 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 507 Ratings

See All

7.5

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

7.5	Your Score
7.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 507 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

The Bourne Identity

Now Playing: The Bourne Identity

Movie Details & Credits

Universal Pictures | Release Date: June 14, 2002 | PG-13

Starring: Franka Potente, Matt Damon

Summary: Robert Ludlum's international thriller gets an edgy 21st century spin from director Doug Liman.

Director: Doug Liman

Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Mystery, Thriller

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 119 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Todd McCarthy

A first-rate thriller with grit and intrigue to spare. Read full review

Kenneth Turan

This is an entertainment that really entertains because any number of interesting and unexpected choices were made, starting with the selection of Doug Liman as the director. Read full review

Hank Sartin

The full-throttle approach of director Doug Liman (Swingers, Go) is impressive. Read full review

Roger Ebert

A skillful action movie about a plot that exists only to support a skillful action movie. The entire story is a set-up for the martial arts and chases. Because they are done well, because the movie is well-crafted and acted, we give it a pass. Too bad it's not about something. Read full review

Peter Travers

Director Doug Liman -- the hip skipper of "Swingers" and "Go" -- makes all the familiar dirty business seem fun and almost human. In these dog days, Bourne earns what passes as high praise: It doesn't suck. Read full review

Scott Tobias

May be a bloodless piece of thriller craftsmanship, but at a time when craft has become negligible, its efficiency and whipcrack timing are increasingly uncommon virtues. Read full review

Renee Graham

The best audiences can hope for is that they, too, get amnesia and forget they ever saw this movie. Read full review

SEE ALL 38 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

shamusolarry

Sep 7, 2011

From start to finish, this is a great movie. It's got just the right amount of suspense, just the right amount of action, just the right amount of character development. I don't have a single complaint about this movie.

5 of 13 users found this helpful58

robertoiglesias

May 8, 2018

The start of the Jason Bourne adventures is very entertaining and interesting.

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

hardcorekidd

Aug 8, 2018

The story of a man (Matt Damon), salvaged, near death, from the ocean by an Italian fishing boat. When he recuperates, the man suffers from total amnesia, without identity or background... except for a range of extraordinary talents in fighting, linguistic skills and self-defense that speakThe story of a man (Matt Damon), salvaged, near death, from the ocean by an Italian fishing boat. When he recuperates, the man suffers from total amnesia, without identity or background... except for a range of extraordinary talents in fighting, linguistic skills and self-defense that speak of a dangerous past. He sets out on a desperate search-assisted by the initially rebellious Marie (Franka Potente) - to discover who he really is, and why he's being lethally pursued by assassins. Expertly blending genre formula with bursts of unexpected wit, The Bourne Identity is an action thriller that delivers -- and then some. I'll give The Bourne Identity an A.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

eagleeyeviking

Dec 14, 2013

Compelling and exciting, The Bourne Identity follows a sturdy plot with great characters and a swiftly paced thrill ride. It also has the perfect amount of suspense and a big scope to cement it as a success.

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

Velsuan

Jul 31, 2012

This movie is a near perfect espionage thriller. It delivers on every side: the story is strong, perhaps shallow at first glance but efficient the way it is told; the actors are truly great, Damon acts exactly the way it should be and Potente is particularly honest in her performance.

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

Spangle

Oct 10, 2015

The Bourne Identity is in many ways your classic spy thriller and in many ways not your classic spy thriller. The ways in which it subverts it genre largely rest in the blending of mystery with the action spy thriller genre. The mysterious nature of the film and its protagonist really helpThe Bourne Identity is in many ways your classic spy thriller and in many ways not your classic spy thriller. The ways in which it subverts it genre largely rest in the blending of mystery with the action spy thriller genre. The mysterious nature of the film and its protagonist really help it to become different than your classic spy movie. However, it still is a spy movie, right down to the over-the-top European location. This does not mean it is not a good spy movie, however. Endlessly entertaining with brilliant action set pieces, added in with the twists and turns of every good spy movie, The Bourne Identity really does it job well. Mat t Damon, Franka Potente, and Chris Cooper, are all very good in their roles and it is no surprise as to why this one exploded the way it did. Overall, very satisfied.… Expand

5 of 5 users found this helpful50

ukrScorpion

Apr 17, 2018

Fairy tale about glamorous boy for little girls....
All very primitive and predictable
If you want spy history try "24 hours" series.

3 of 8 users found this helpful35

SEE ALL 68 REVIEWS

15	#15 Most Discussed Movie of 2002
39	#39 Most Shared Movie of 2002