Political thrillers with high officials and (ex-)soldiers involved tend to exploit clichés or have multiple unrealistic moments due to over-sophistication and references to past mysticism. The series in question includes the above as well, but thanks to many strong performances (Stephen Dorff, above all, but also Val Kilmer and Caterina Murino) and thrilling stalking scenes let it watch and follow without blah! feelings or embarrassment. True, it is no conceptual creation, or if you believe that none or all in the government administration are crooks and power freaks, then you should definitely skip it :) Otherwise, you could ponder on and over events that could happen if/when you get amnesia - it could happen to everyone in different circumstances.

Perhaps it's our inability to lay to rest the theories concerning our country's Presidential assassinations. Perhaps it's our growing fascination with government plots, which explain why we have so many conspiracies films. Whatever the reason, here is yet another movie which deals with the killing of the U.S. President. In this story which apparently played on T.V. first, we are witness to the assignation of a U.S. president. Ross Tanner (Stephen Dorff) the alleged assassin, escapes, but is badly wounded in the process. Thereafter, he is pursued by the F.B.I, secret service, military officials and nearly anyone who can carry a gun. Unable to remember his identify, Ross stays one step ahead of everyone. In the meanwhile, the audience is subjected to a Cat and Mouse game, but is not privy to know which cat or Mouse is his friend or foe. The entire film is one dark dangerous, action filled ride with Tanner in the cross hairs all the time. A treat for movie fans as we discover that good guy Val Kilmer plays the heavy and is so menacing we believe the hero is over matched. With Stephen McHattie, Lucinda Davis, Jonathan Higgins and Jessalyn Gilsig, playing government officials, it's mind-boggling trying to keep the two sides separated. As a result, this movie will provide audiences with enough excitement, action and black mystery, to rattle the brain. A good film which may yet earn top honors as a terrific Conspiracy movie. ****

I've been a fan of the comics since I first read them years ago, so I've approached every adaptation I have found with a hope that it would do them justice, and a fear that it wouldn't. And yes, this is similar to the Bourne series, as I understand it, Van Hamme, the author, liked the Ludlum book(s?),and used some of the same ideas. This and the 2003 video game both get certain(but not necessarily the same) things right, whilst failing on others. In tone, this comes fairly close. It's disturbing, dark and, at times, the ideas in this are brutal. The humor in this, while it's relatively limited(and, frankly, doesn't all work, it can feel forced),is perhaps a tad much. The overall accuracy is reasonable, and several changes do make sense. They updated the story to present day(it was, when it was a graphic novel, as well, but the first one came out 14 years ago),and thus also made it more modern, adding tech and such, without that taking over. Several of the characters are changed(a couple are combined, as well) and not all of the casting makes perfect sense(what on Earth happened to Jones? Sure, she looks the part, but that's about it). The plot is interesting and captured and kept my attention throughout. It doesn't develop entirely the same, though a good bit of the core of it is intact. The awesome abilities are definitely still there. Dorff and Kilmer are great. I've heard this compared to the television show 24, and I suppose I can see why. It should be noted that not all of those aspects were foreign to this franchise before this hit small screens. Episode 1 ends in a way that ought to get viewers back for the second half(which starts with repetitions of plenty of what happened in the first one) of the three hour running time. The ending is not going to satisfy everyone, however, the source material taken into account, and the fact that it isn't easy to finish it, especially in this amount of time. The cinematography and editing are excellent, the action is very well-done and exciting. The music is well-done. The production values leave little to be desired. The acting varies, as does the dialog, but there are cool moments in this. This isn't terribly graphically violent, and there's no sex. Still, it is not intended for children, and it doesn't feel like it was made to be less strong. Language is mild and infrequent, if even that. I recommend this to fans of the original(as with any other translation from one medium to another, do not expect everything to be the same),as well as anyone who enjoys this type of film/mini. 7/10