Hello internet people, it’s me Slick Dungeon. I’m here to review another movie off of my movie challenge list. This one may be a bit of a controversial take to some but I think The Bourne Identity movie is better than the book. It’s a close call but in my mind the film just edges it out. There will be some mild spoilers for both the book and the movie below so consider yourself warned.

The Bourne Identity, both the book and the film, deal with a man who wakes up in the middle of the ocean with no memory of who he is. Although he doesn’t remember his own identity he somehow is able to speak multiple languages, knows how to tie complex sailor knots and is more skilled than a normal person should be. In addition he has a mysterious bank account number hidden in his hip. Once he reaches land he goes to the secure bank and discovers weapons, passports, money and all kinds of mysterious items in his safe deposit box.

On top of all of that there are quite a few people who seem to want to kill him. Going by the identity Jason Bourne he has to try to figure out who he is and why he does what he does. Along the way he meets Marie Kreutz who decides to help him. He has to protect her while getting answers for himself. In the movie, Jason Bourne is overall trying to look out for her and is aware of how his actions could affect her. In the book he has moments where he is a real jerk to her, up to the point of not caring that she got raped. For that reason I have to give the movie the edge. I realize the book was written a while ago and attitudes were different in the past but that doesn’t really make that scene in the book better.

The film is what I would have called a “smart James Bond” prior to the Daniel Craig films. These movies are full of action and Matt Damon pulls of the character very well. It’s not often I think a movie is better than a book but this is one that worked for me.

Have you seen a movie you think is better than the book? If so let me know what it is in the comments.

Mysteriously yours,

Slick Dungeon