For its 20th anniversary, we take a look back at 'The Bourne Identity,' which helped influence action films for the next two decades.
Some movies cause big ripples. As The Bourne Identity turns twenty, it's worth looking back at the film that spawned one of this century's most popular franchises and breathed new life into well-worn action movie beats. In the early 2000s, blockbusters looked like Star Wars, Harry Potter, and The Lord of the Rings, science fiction and fantasy writ large . Simultaneously, action stars and themes from the 90s seemed tired.
In the first installment, amnesiac Jason Bourne is pulled out of the sea near Marseilles and searches for clues to his real identity with the help of Marie . Discovering that he is a highly-trained assassin, Bourne is pursued by his CIA handlers and fellow assets from Operation Treadstone. Undoubtedly The Bourne Identity's best asset is Damon, proving himself for the first time as a credible action lead.
Although Bourne agonizes over the revelation he's an assassin, the discovery of incredible talents brings an element of wish fulfillment similar to The Matrix. Yet where The Matrix looked to the balletic gunplay and wire-fu of Hong Kong cinema in its 1999 revamp of the action movie , The Bourne Identity's martial arts are more grounded and realistic.
Equal standouts are the European locations and the excellent car chase through the streets of Paris, which channels the spirit of The Italian Job in its Mini vs police showdown. Additionally shot by second-unit director, Alexander Witt, it still holds up as an all-time great chase and the most exciting scene of the film. The DNA of Luc Besson's early work exists in The Bourne Identity, as does Tom Tykwer's indie actioner Run Lola Run , bringing a sheen of Euro cool to proceedings.