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An unknown male (Matt Dmaon) loses his memory after being shot twice and left for dead.
Rescued by a fishing boat, he sets off to find out who he is.
From a Swiss bank account number on a microcapsule implanted under his skin, the amnesiac recovers a pack of fake passports, a huge stack of cash and a pistol. From that point on, he is wanted by just about everyone. Using one of the passports, he travels as Jason Bourne from Switzerland to Paris, where along the way he meets Marie (Franka Potente) who becomes his marathon running partner. While he still has no clue as to he is, he is amazed at the slick fight skills of which he has no memory as he battles his pursuers. As they run, he and Marie try to reassemble his past to figure out his true identity and why someone wants him dead.
Based on the novel by Robert Ludlum and compared to its 1988 predecessor, this version
which adapts but a few characters and isolated incidents from the book, comes out as a good fast-paced chase movie, even without any special effects whatsoever.
The plot is ordinary, but Damon makes an extraordinary spy with all the right moves, including the Filipino martial arts discipline Kali. An exciting chase sequence has Damon driving Potente's little red car along the narrow streets of Paris, recklessly weaving in and out among the traffic-jammed cars on the wrong side of the road in exhilarating choreography. The young enigmatic Damon with his spunky love interest Potente generates nice chemistry that does not start hot and heavy as in most action films but rather grows through their shared escapades. Some of the not too clearly defined characters or incoherent sequences may not matter all that much to the thrill-seeking moviegoers since this is essentially a high adrenaline ride.
In searching for his identity, Bourne keeps running and killing unknown adversaries to stay
alive. But even as he is violent in destroying his hunters, he makes it a point to protect the innocent he might unwittingly hurt. Upon regaining his memory, the
amnesiac learns that he is indeed CIA assassin Jason Bourne with a failed mission to his name and believed to be dead.
He also realizes the hidden vendetta and betrayal of those who want to assassinate him, which spawn disgust and fury against the system and all its members. Now Bourne wants out. And since he is believed to be dead, why not let the dead Bourne stay dead? Amnesia may not be something to wish for, but in the case of Jason Bourne, is it boon or bane?
(Date reviewed: September 6, 2002)
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