The Bourne Identity (PG-13)

Lacking in the way of plot or characters, but fun.

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About Our Ratings
Common Sense rates it
4
Seen the movie? Review it
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Movie details
  • Studio: Universal Pictures
  • Directed By: Doug Liman
  • Cast: Chris Cooper, Matt Damon, Franka Potente
  • Running Time: 116 minutes
  • Release Date: 06/14/2002
  • Video/DVD Release Date: 01/21/2003
  • Genre: Thriller
  • MPAA Rating: PG-13
  • MPAA Explanation: violence, peril and some language.

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie has lots of cartoonish but sometimes graphic violence and some bad language in English and German. There is a mild and non-explicit sexual situation.

Families can talk about how we can ensure accountability for covert operations and how Jason and Marie decided to trust each other.

Message

Social Behavior:

All major characters are white.

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Character responds to stress by getting a drink, smoking.

Violence

A lot of peril and violence, some graphic, characters killed.

Sex

Mild sexual situation.

Language

Some strong language.

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Nell Minow

This action-packed thriller gets moving when a cargo ship pulls an unconscious man (Matt Damon) from the sea. The ship’s medic removes bullets and a strange information capsule from the man's back. When he awakes, he is angry, desperate, and doesn't know who he is. He’s dropped off in Europe and tries to work his way to finding his identity, only to be suddenly attacked by people from his past life. He successfully fights them off and pays a woman (Franka Potente) to drive him to safety, but at every angle there's another danger, and the film picks up as the plot unravels, with Damon eventually discovering his name (or one of his names) is be Jason Bourne and researching his past to find out why people are trying to kill him.

Is it any good?

4
The Bourne Identity does not have much in the way of plot or characters, but it is a better-than-average guns, gadgets, and chases in interesting locations movie. It's formulaic but stylish, clever, and fun. Franka Potente is always fun to watch, and bad guy Chris Cooper remains one of Hollywood's finest character actors, but as credible an actor as Matt Damon is, he makes a rather unconvincing action hero. His boyish looks don't help him when he's beating people up or jumping off buildings, and his ability to stay clean and perfectly shaven after days without having any chance to wash himself is pretty questionable.

One can't help but think that Hugh Jackman or Pierce Brosnan would have flawlessly executed the role, and seeing the terrific Clive Owen shine in a small role only makes you see how perfect he'd be in the title role. But I guess they needed an American hero.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 19 reviews.

Age 14+
5


Posted on 12/02/08 by ScottK Adult contributor

Wow, just wow...

Parents should know that though this is an extremely enjoyable movie, it is both intense and graphic. (And in the explosive extended edition gory in parts) There is one f**k, and some less strong language also. I don't remember if the same is true in the theatrical version, but the explosive extended edition is too much for a PG-13. Parents, this movie is not for all teens. Some thirteen and fourteen year olds will be fine, but not all. Know your kid...
Age 13+
4


Posted on 07/17/08 by ScottK Adult contributor

An AWESOME movie!

Parents should know that though this is an extremely enjoyable movie, it is both intense and graphic. (And in the explosive extended edition gory in parts) There is one f**k, and some less strong language also. I don't remember if the same is true in the theatrical version, but the explosive extended edition is too much for a PG-13. Parents, this movie is not for all teens. Some thirteen and fourteen year olds will be fine, but not all. Know your kid...
4


Posted on 07/04/08 by eteichert Kid contributor, age 14

Very Good!

Violent! Good, but violent! For example, one of the more violent scenes shows Bourne fight with a guy, brief shots of blood, often splattering on the floor, the guy gets stabbed in the hand with a pen, and later, cornered inevitably, throws himself out the window. Bourne takes his girl downstairs, where they see a woman who's been shot in the head. And finally, as they exit the building, there's a brief shot of the dead guy's head splattered on the ground. I'm only saying this to warn parents who want to let their kids watch! Otherwise, REALLY good!
5

Posted on 07/01/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 9

great movie

really good movie a few violent scenes blood not that gory but someone does break through a window with an automatic gun later jumps out the window and is stabbed by a pen, later a dicktater is sniped in the head but overall good movie in the beginning he is found floating in the water unconscious
4


Posted on 06/09/08 by expert_reviewer Kid contributor, age 13

VERY GOOD MOVIE

Alot of Violence. It's about an assassin who gets his memory erased and he turns into a good guy and trys to figure out who he really is or was.
Age 13+
2


Posted on 06/01/08 by ninjaofthewind Adult contributor

Not memorable

I got this movie thinking it would be like Mission: Impossible or 007, and was very disapointed. I'm not saying this movie wasn't good, I just can hardly even remember what it was about. In my opinion, it was not very memorable at all.
5


Posted on 01/29/08 by soccerkid26 Kid contributor, age 12

james bond and beyond

really good movie any1 9+ should watch this nothing is really an issue but violence a bit more realistic than james bond ie roger moore
Age 13+
5


Posted on 09/29/07 by quest13 Adult contributor

Yes

See it!
5


Posted on 09/19/07 by Julie3000x Kid contributor, age 14

5

Posted on 08/25/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 12

See all 19 reviews >

Adult Reviews

There are 6 reviews.

Age 14+
5


Posted on 12/02/08 by ScottK Adult contributor

Wow, just wow...

Parents should know that though this is an extremely enjoyable movie, it is both intense and graphic. (And in the explosive extended edition gory in parts) There is one f**k, and some less strong language also. I don't remember if the same is true in the theatrical version, but the explosive extended edition is too much for a PG-13. Parents, this movie is not for all teens. Some thirteen and fourteen year olds will be fine, but not all. Know your kid...
Age 13+
4


Posted on 07/17/08 by ScottK Adult contributor

An AWESOME movie!

Parents should know that though this is an extremely enjoyable movie, it is both intense and graphic. (And in the explosive extended edition gory in parts) There is one f**k, and some less strong language also. I don't remember if the same is true in the theatrical version, but the explosive extended edition is too much for a PG-13. Parents, this movie is not for all teens. Some thirteen and fourteen year olds will be fine, but not all. Know your kid...
Age 13+
2


Posted on 06/01/08 by ninjaofthewind Adult contributor

Not memorable

I got this movie thinking it would be like Mission: Impossible or 007, and was very disapointed. I'm not saying this movie wasn't good, I just can hardly even remember what it was about. In my opinion, it was not very memorable at all.
Age 13+
5


Posted on 09/29/07 by quest13 Adult contributor

Yes

See it!
Age 13+
5


Posted on 12/15/06 by jowriggley Adult contributor

Age 13+
4


Posted on 03/02/05 by fritzsky Adult contributor

Kids Reviews

There are 13 reviews.

4


Posted on 07/04/08 by eteichert Kid contributor, age 14

Very Good!

Violent! Good, but violent! For example, one of the more violent scenes shows Bourne fight with a guy, brief shots of blood, often splattering on the floor, the guy gets stabbed in the hand with a pen, and later, cornered inevitably, throws himself out the window. Bourne takes his girl downstairs, where they see a woman who's been shot in the head. And finally, as they exit the building, there's a brief shot of the dead guy's head splattered on the ground. I'm only saying this to warn parents who want to let their kids watch! Otherwise, REALLY good!
5

Posted on 07/01/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 9

great movie

really good movie a few violent scenes blood not that gory but someone does break through a window with an automatic gun later jumps out the window and is stabbed by a pen, later a dicktater is sniped in the head but overall good movie in the beginning he is found floating in the water unconscious
4


Posted on 06/09/08 by expert_reviewer Kid contributor, age 13

VERY GOOD MOVIE

Alot of Violence. It's about an assassin who gets his memory erased and he turns into a good guy and trys to figure out who he really is or was.
5


Posted on 01/29/08 by soccerkid26 Kid contributor, age 12

james bond and beyond

really good movie any1 9+ should watch this nothing is really an issue but violence a bit more realistic than james bond ie roger moore
5


Posted on 09/19/07 by Julie3000x Kid contributor, age 14

5

Posted on 08/25/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 12

4


Posted on 08/04/07 by NickTwo Kid contributor, age 9

Great

This movie is really good. Not that much vilonce some languge.
4

Posted on 07/29/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 14

great action and fast paced

This movie is great for anyone who likes action movies. Matt Damon is great for the part not to mention hott. I really don't get the 16+ rating that common sense media gives it. It's really not THAT violent. Theres just a lot of sequences of action like car chases and things blowing up. And the sexual stuff in it is really mild.
5


Posted on 03/29/07 by Xerxes935 Kid contributor, age 14

amazing

this movie rocks it is a very good story. however i dont think there would be an arguement if it was rated R it is sometimes a bit graphic
4


Posted on 04/08/06 by purplecatroo Kid contributor, age 13

See all 13 kids reviews >
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