Tools for this page
Print

The Bourne Identity

(2002, Rated PG-13, Thriller, Starring Chris Cooper, Matt Damon, Franka Potente)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 14.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

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

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–15

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    All major characters are white.
  • Violence:

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

    Mild sexual situation.
  • Language:

    Some strong language.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Character responds to stress by getting a drink, smoking.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Bourne Identity

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.

Read our full review by Nell Minow

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

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

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

  • What did you think about The Bourne Identity?
  •  I think this movie is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review
See all 24 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

    very good 11 and over

    veryyyyyyyy good action movie watch it 11 and over some violece and mild sex matt damon is agreat actor

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Arizona
    I rate this title on for age 15 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

    Sweet Flick.

    Great show, instense but not full of suspense. The only thing parents need to know, is that when characters shoot in this, its to kill. Other than that nothing, film's aimed at older kids.

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    I rate this title on for age 15 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

    Wow, I loved this movie.

    This is such a great action movie! It is violent, and has a fair deal of language though. Characters are shot, stabbed, exploded, you name it. Most of it isn't graphic, but some is. The language consists of just about everything, including one f-word. (unfortunately) Know your kid, it may be too violent for them.

  4. I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0

    An Enjoyable Thriller for Teens and Up, But No One Younger...

    Jason is found by fishermen in the water with a microchip in his hip and two bullets in his back. He can't remember his past. It's revealed that the microchip contains the number of a Bank Account, Jason goes to learn more. He finds multiple identities, money in every currency, and a loaded gun. He finds clues to learn about himself. There's just one problem: people are following him. And they're trying to kill him. Violence is your biggest issue. Kids will see gunfights, fistfights, knife fights, and every other kind of fight. The good news: it's not very graphic. Jason and Marie, his girlfriend, see the body of a woman who's been shot in the head (briefly a hole is seen). The killer jumps out a window, and you (briefly) see blood around his body. Jason gets cuts, but there's no gore. People are shot and you see the bullet fire, the person fall, and occasionally a scream. Jason and Marie spend the night in a run-down motel, they kiss passionately and, somewhere in the middle, Jason's shirt comes off. You don’t see anything graphic. Language is a “f**k” and some “bastard”s.

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Louisiana
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 4.0

    GREAT SERIES!

    this is a great series! thers alot of action and som shooting!

  6. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 5.0

    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...

  7. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 4.0

    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...

  8. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    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!

  9. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    Lives in New Jersey
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 5.0

    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

  10. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Michigan
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 4.0

    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.

  11. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in North Carolina
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 2.0

    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.

  12. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Maryland
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    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

  13. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Iowa
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 5.0

    Yes

    See it!

  14. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Maryland
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

  15. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Oklahoma
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

  16. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    Great

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

  17. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in North Carolina
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 4.0

    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.

  18. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Minnesota
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    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

  19. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Minnesota
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

  20. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Rhode Island
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Now Playing

    Aliens in the Attic

    Aliens in the Attic

    Silly teens-versus-aliens adventure is sure to delight kids.

  • Tech Tip

    Protecting privacy is a bigger issue than predators.Beyond Safety

    Protecting privacy is a bigger issue than predators.

  • Book of the Week

    Catching Fire: The Hunger Games, Book 2

    Catching Fire: The Hunger Games, Book 2

    Sequel just as gripping -- and brutal -- as the first.

  • Pick of the Week

    Spook-tacular Books

    Spook-tacular Books

    Fun Halloween picture books for young kids.

  • Sound Check

    "All Is Love" (CD single)

    "All Is Love" (CD single)

    Indie music star gives soundtrack single quirky appeal.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy