The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) by The Critical Movie Critics

Movie Review: The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)


The Bourne Ultimatum is the third installment of the “Bourne” saga. This movie picks up right after Jason Bourne apologizes to the Neski daughter, without pause after the events of the second film, which may leave newcomers to the series a little perplexed. If you have seen the first two films, which I recommend before seeing the last, you know ultimately Jason Bourne (Matt Damon, “The Good Shepherd”) is now on a mission to find out who, or what his identity really is.

There is still the matter of getting away from the Russian cops, which he still manages with some aggression and economy of movement. Since Pamela Landy (Joan Allen, “The Notebook”) figured that Bourne is not responsible for the death of her two agents in Berlin, she was fine with allowing him to get away as long as he stayed off the grid and minded his own business. Unfortunately for Bourne, happy endings don’t make for very engaging movies so the trouble in this film arrives in the form British reporter Simon Ross (Paddy Considine, “Hot Fuzz”). While working on an lead to unveil Bourne, Treadstone and another covert operation called Blackbriar, Ross uncovers enough to put his life in danger. Bourne has become the CIA’s most-wanted once again. Regardless, despite a number of assassins on his trail, he is intent on finding out who he is amid muddled flashbacks of mysterious interrogations. He gets help from fellow CIA agent Nicky Parsons (Julia Stiles, “Mona Lisa Smile”), his former Paris contact, in Madrid where they end up in a diabolical chase through the alleys and rooftops of Tangiers. In the cat-and-mouse game that ensues, we travel with Bourne and the assorted people hunting him through Paris, London, Madrid, Tangiers and finally New York City where the amnesiac spy comes face-to-face with the man who helped him become Jason Bourne.

The makers of the “Bourne” series including returning director Paul Greengrass, screenwriter Tony Gilroy and cast members Allen, Damon and Julia Stiles have managed to put together a trilogy that expands upon its origins and effectively explores the geography of the chaos around one man’s life in a very exciting way. The epileptic camera work adds to the flavor of gripping action scenes. When you get right down to it, this entire trilogy is actually about a man trying to find his place in the world after losing his memory.

The Bourne Ultimatum is not without its flaws but most of those are limited to dialogue, which feels are more ham-handed and clunkier than the earlier movies. Also, to David Strathairn’s credit, he works wonders with a fairly stock-in-trade character who mouths all the cliché phrases and behaves in the manner of the classic ugly government agent. Despite its flaws this movie is miles ahead of others in its pack and what it all comes down to, is the performance of the lead character. Bourne is back and better than ever. Faster than any movie hero (who isn’t a superhero) and extremely capable with languages, subterfuge, fighting and commandeering vehicles, Jason Bourne is undoubtedly the strongest reason why James Bond is now served in a muscular and aggressive flavor.

If you truly want to enjoy The Bourne Ultimatum though, it would make sense to watch the two previous movies before you step into the multiplex for this one. Seeing how this film connects it all up is a fun bonus to support the chills and thrills already associated with following the exploits of the amnesiac super spy.

Critical Movie Critic Rating:
4 Star Rating: Good

4

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'Movie Review: The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)' have 9 comments

  1. The Critical Movie Critics

    August 7, 2007 @ 11:47 am Jerry Pes

    This is the definite must see movie of the summer. The reviewer is right on about the amount of insane action in this. You don’t get a chance to catch your breath!

    I can only hope they continue the series.

  2. The Critical Movie Critics

    August 8, 2007 @ 10:45 am marcus

    Good review of a great movie.

  3. The Critical Movie Critics

    August 11, 2007 @ 10:49 pm Sean

    I haven’t seen this yet, but I’m looking forward to it. I’ve become a big fan of Matt Damon. I heard they plan on continuing past the book series since it’s so popular.

  4. The Critical Movie Critics

    August 13, 2007 @ 2:52 pm Quantan

    best movie i’ve seen this year
    i went to a midnight showing of this movie and it was definitely more than worth staying up late for. i own the other two bourne movies and this one doesn’t disappoint. it picks up moments from where the previous movie ends and is instantly thrilling and barely slows down to let me catch my breath. the action and suspense had me on the edge of my seat the entire movie and the chase scene was phenomenal. something that really stands out in my mind for this trilogy is that most of it seems reasonably realistic. i would reccomend this movie to an audience of all ages although kids wouldnt really beable to keep up or stay interested. one other important thing is that this being the third movie it relies heavily on the story from the other movies, as it should, so i would reccomend seeing the other two first if you want to understand everything beginning to end.

  5. The Critical Movie Critics

    October 1, 2007 @ 6:35 pm Eric

    I finally got off my ass to see this over the weekend. I only wish I had seen it sooner. The action is just incredible. I’ll definitely buy the trilogy set when it gets released on DVD.

  6. The Critical Movie Critics

    November 6, 2007 @ 1:35 pm Atomic Popcorn

    Best of the series so far !

  7. The Critical Movie Critics

    November 14, 2007 @ 11:35 pm Sirius Lee

    Who ever thought that Matt Damon would turn out to be a much better action star than Ben Affleck? I, for one, am pleasantly surprised by this. The Bourne films can certainly give the 007 franchise a run for its money. Here’s hoping we haven’t seen the last of Jason Bourne.

  8. The Critical Movie Critics

    December 14, 2007 @ 11:36 am 3D Printers

    I think the role made Damon and not the other way around. If Affleck had been tapped as Jason Bourne, we probably would be respecting him more than Damon.

    I love this series. That Moroccan maze chase still stands out in my mind 4 months now since I saw the film. I can still hear in my head the bad guy gagging to death in the shower scene.

  9. The Critical Movie Critics

    November 19, 2008 @ 5:51 pm albfek

    i don’t think enyone else could be even close to damon for this role.He is the best fit for it

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