The Bourne Identity

By EWAN McDONALD

(Herald rating: * * * *)

There is a mystery in Robert Ludlum's trilogy of action thrillers featuring Jason Bourne: you have to wonder why they haven't been filmed before.

Perhaps they were waiting for Matt Damon to mature as an actor and a man, to play him.

As enigmatic a book, and a character, and a movie, as Damon's haunted anti-hero of The Talented Mr Ripley, Bourne is found floating in rough seas by Italian fishermen. He has two bullets in his back, a device containing the number of a Swiss safe-deposit box sewn into his skin, and no idea who he is or what happened to him.

When he opens the box Bourne finds six passports from different countries for six different men, and one photograph: his. Bourne knows he was a violent man and doesn't want to be so, but it would help if he could find out who that person is. Or was. His only help comes from Marie (Franka Potente), who he has paid to drive him to Paris.

Bourne may not know the truth but a number of somewhat influential people do. People like Ted Conklin (Chris Cooper), a CIA agent who runs a worldwide network of assassins. He and his highly placed boss, Ward Abbott (Brian Cox) want Bourne killed.

Several cuts about the average espionage story, and it'll be worthwhile to sign Damon for the other ripping yarns in the franchise.

DVD features: movie (119min); commentary with director Doug Liman; feature; 4 deleted scenes; alternate ending; extended scene.

Moby music video: Extreme Ways; trailer; production notes; cast and crew filmographies.