Bourne Identity, The MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +3 Content: -2 1/2

The crew of a French fishing boat has no idea who the man is they pull out of the Mediterranean Sea. But then, neither does he. Along with two bullet wounds in his back, the ship medic also pulls a small canister from the mans hip. Containing the number of a Swiss bank account, the canister provides the only clue to the mans identity. But the Zurich bank box full of money and several passports creates more questions. Taking one of the passports, since all bear his picture, the man becomes Jason Bourne (Matt Damon). But he could be Michael Kane or several others. As he searches for his true identity, Jason discovers others are looking for him, with deadly intent. Hitching a ride to Paris with Marie (Franka Potente), a French woman, Jason discovers his own deadly talents. But can he keep them both alive until he knows who he really is? Robert Ludlums best-selling spy novel becomes a fast-moving, action thriller that will keep audiences guessing along with Jason. Damon adequately fills the confused, action hero role and some climactic stunts are surprising, but fans of the novel seeking more mystery may be disappointed.

Violent action ensues as Jason discovers hes a trained assassin, with other assassins after him. With moves sometimes too fast to follow, he dispatches those who try to take him against his will. However, one fight gets gruesomely brutal as a pen is stabbed into a mans hand, and just as graphically pulled out. But most of the many shootings and fights avoid such grisly images. An early scene of surgery at sea, as a bullet is pulled from Jasons back, may also cause wincing. Sexual content is almost avoided entirely, except for an implied encounter after Maries hair color and style is changes for disguise. A kiss leads to taking off Jason shirt, but further activity is thankfully left to the imagination. Sadly, vulgarities in the dialogue are all too real. Numerous obscenities, some in German, and a string of strong profanity from Jasons boss, assault the ears. Frequent and sometimes graphic violence, along with tasteless vocabulary is less than thrilling in THE BOURNE IDENTITY.

Preview Reviewer: Paul Bicking
Distributor: Universal Pictures, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608