Premise - An amnesiac (Matt Damon) is picked up by a French fishing vessel sixty miles of the coast of Marseille. All he has to identify himself are two bullets on his back and a chip with a bank account number implanted in his hip. He faces a race against time to discover his own identity and elude the assassins that seem to be waiting for him around every corner. There's nothing original or groundbreaking about The Bourne Identity, but that doesn't make it any less enjoyable. Tales of amnesiacs with shady pasts have been told before and will be told again. The original book was the kind of novel you would buy on holiday and read on the beach, nothing too heavy, if you take the film in a similar way you should enjoy yourself. The first film that Doug Liman has made since the excellent 'Go' is a bit of a departure from his usual 'hipper than hip' movie. Liman should be applauded for trying to branch out from the genre that he is most familiar with and trying something new. And The Bourne Identity is certainly something new, as far removed from 'Swingers' and 'Go as you could get. With The Bourne Identity, Liman leaves behind the drugs, hip dialogue and pop culture references and instead has produced one of the finest action thrillers to come out of the Hollywood system for some time. The film relies on it's tense set pieces, blistering action scenes and charismatic lead to produce the goods. Those worried that Liman would have trouble handling action can rest easy. An excellent car chase through the streets of Paris (Best car chase involving a Mini since 'The Italian Job' might I add) and many wonderful hand to hand combat scenes prove that Liman is just as comfortable with action as he is with dialogue heavy scenes. This is as much a change of pace for star Matt Damon a sit is for Liman. Damon is far more used to character driven ensemble pieces or knockabout Kevin Smith movies than taught action thrillers. And, much like his close friend Ben Affleck with 'The Sum Of All Fears', Damon makes the move effortlessly. Damon shows a lot of charisma as Jason Bourne, which is no mean feat given the amnesia role that he has to fill. He also shows a lot of ability in the films many action scenes, especially in the close quarters combat sequences. Elsewhere you have Franka Potente as the obligatory love interest. You may remember her from 'Run, Lola, Run', she looks to be one to look out for in the future. Brian Cox plays the head of Bourne's CIA outfit and has little to do except be Brian Cox. It's always nice to see him however and he does add weight to the movie. Chris Cooper is an actor I like more of, the more I see him. He's a capable support player and I always appreciate seeing him in a movie. Here he plays Bourne's boss (below Cox) and is suitably slimy for the role required of him. The big enigma however, is Julia Stiles. I can only assume that most of her scenes hit the cutting room floor as she has little to do and has no effect on the story whatsoever. Her role could have easily been chopped form the movie and it would have not affected the film at all. A real waste of the ladies obvious talents in my opinion. Whilst offering nothing new plot-wise, The Bourne Identity is a pleasant enough slice of throwaway popcorn entertainment. It entertains sufficiently without having to engage too many braincells and shows that Doug Liman and Matt Damon can produce the goods outside of the constraints of their usual output.

7/10 for The Bourne Identity. Poster Quote - You'll never know you were Bourne..............