The Film
What was so hard about making Matt Damon into an action hero? Plenty of people had their doubts. Not us. The guy was Loki (Dogma), Tom Ripley (The Talented Mr. Ripley) and even Private James Francis Ryan (Saving Private Ryan) way before he stepped into Jason Bourne's shoes. It didn't seem all that much of a stretch that the guy could kick a little ass.
Of course, he did more than kick just a little. It's hard to blame him either. In The Bourne Identity, our action hero wakes up after a bad night -- no, it's really bad. We've had memory issues, but this guy is found floating in the middle of the ocean, with bullets in his back, a bank account embedded in his hip, and no memory of his identity. He does have a few things going for him, mainly abilities that allow him to speak multiple languages and kill a man with his thumb. Sweet!
It's hard to complain about this 2.35:1 transfer. Some may argue which film is the best in the series, but Identity has a noticeably different look. That's not to say it's the best, but it is extremely enjoyable. It just has a different style, which is probably because it's the only one in the trilogy that was directed by Doug Liman (Swingers). The image is often dark, with extremely bold blacks throughout. Detail is nice too, from rain-slicked streets and shattered glass to textured architecture and the gorgeous skylines showed throughout. There is grain present, but it's an overall killer image. It just doesn't have the same eye-popping, shaky-cam effects of the two films that followed.
The Sound
As with the image, this film has a soundtrack that's completely different from its two sequels. While it has a different flavor, it's certainly not any more tame. Expect this DTS-HD Master Audio track to suck you in from the get-go. Within seconds, there are thunderstorms, crashing waves, and a creaky boat filling every speaker. Soon after, you'll be treated to tires squealing, bullet casings clanking, and fists of fury flying from every angle. Like Bourne himself, it's relentless and completely entertaining from beginning to end.
The Extras
So the big deal with this release is that it's a dual-sided BD-59 "Flipper Disc." That means that one side has the Blu-ray and all of its accoutrements, while the other features the standard-def DVD. This is also the first time each film is available individually on Blu-ray Disc. The earlier Blu-ray release included the full Bourne trilogy. We tested both sides in a variety of players and noticed no compatibility issues, which is nice considering it's the first of its kind.
It's probably obvious, but worth noting, the image and sound aren't as impressive in standard-def (duh). Still, it's a neat little perk to be able to take this release and play it in any DVD player. We tested out the DVD version in our Philips DVD recorder, Epson's MovieMate 60 all-in-one projector, and even on our laptop. In every instance, the disc loaded within seconds. Also, the image and audio aren't the only things lacking on the standard-def side. Some of the extras are also absent. Still, it has a pretty hearty selection.
Those extras, as well as the ones on the Blu-ray, are nothing new. These are the same ones we saw this time last year in The Bourne Trilogy box set. The Flipper feature is really the only new tidbit to expect from this release. It's not surprising. From the early days of the HD format war, we've sort of lost count on how many times Universal has released the Bourne movies on high-def; there can't be too much left in the vault. That said, they haven't exactly skimped on the extras. There's alternate and deleted scenes, as well as closer looks at scenes, casting, characters and real-life counterparts. There's also an interesting three-part look at author Robert Ludlum and the three films his work inspired.
Final Thoughts
If you're still clinging to DVD in certain parts of the house and/or car, not having the ability to play Blu-rays could be what's stalling your collection. That makes the Flipper disc a very nice feature. If you don't like it, you might have to lump it. According to what we're seeing on Amazon, the plain old Bourne Identity Blu-ray is no longer available. If you've already got that one, there is little reason to upgrade, unless you really want access to the standard-def DVD.
As we mentioned before, many may argue which of the Bourne movies is best. For our money, this just isn't it. That said, it's still pretty excellent, and definitely a good way to kick off this great action series.
Product Details
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