12 Badass Action Movies You Need To See Before You Die
11. The Bourne Identity (2002)
Nobody expected a movie based on a novel by Robert Ludlum, whose stodgy bestsellers had previously inspired The Osterman Weekend (1983) and The Holcroft Covenant (1985), to be anything remarkable, but The Bourne Identity wasnt just good, it set the standard for action films in the 21st Century. Released in the UK 2 months before Die Another Day, Doug Limans movie exposed Bond 21 for what the critics said it was a clunky anachronism in the post 9/11 world. The movie made enough of an impression on the Bond producers that they not only decided to reboot the franchise, they also minimized the gags and gadgetry in favour of a grittier (more Bourne-esque) feel. Chalk such success up to Tony Gilroy, who co-wrote all 4 Bourne movies, but dont forget the contribution made by Matt Damon, who at that point in his career was still That Guy From Good Will Hunting. Before the films release, you might not have believed he could play a badass spy, but afterwards you couldnt wait for him to return in the sequel.
Ian Watson is the author of 'Midnight Movie Madness', a 600+ page guide to "bad" movies from 'Reefer Madness' to 'Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead.'
