Bourne again
Score: 8/10 (Good!)
Bottom Line: Spend Your Money (but make sure you've seen the first two!)
To-The-Point: Essentially a mash-up of the first two films, The Bourne Ultimatum is two straight hours of intense cat-and-mouse chases, fist fights, and explosions that gradually peel back some layers of our hero without giving us all of the answers. Although the formula and shaky-cam directing are beginning to become stale, this is a perfect mixture of action, intrigue, and plot twists to cap off one of the best trilogies in movie history.
Complete Truth: Finally!
For the first time this entire summer, the final film in a trilogy actually lives up to its reputation and hype. After a miserable three months of worthless blockbusters, it's refreshing - and somewhat strange - to hail Matt Damon for revitalizing my faith in Hollywood movies. But, here it is: the final (hopefully) entry in what could be the greatest action trilogy since Indiana Jones...that is, if it weren't for the fact that Hollywood is set to tarnish that franchise next summer.
Beginning immediately after the vengeful Moscow car chase that capped The Bourne Supremacy, we find Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) once again on the run and searching for answers. His memory still in pieces, and his girlfriend now deceased, Bourne drifts through a daze until he discovers a series of newspaper articles written by London journalist Simon Ross (Paddy Considine) that reveal information about his past and the Treadstone program. Realizing Ross must have a source deep within the CIA, Bourne follows his only lead and attempts to protect the journalist, and in turn, his past. With the help of CIA agents Nicky Parsons (Julia Stiles) and Pamela Landy (Joan Allen), Bourne must survive a chain reaction of events that will force him into an action-packed journey through Turin, Tangiers, and finally, New York, where he meets his past face-to-face.
And what an exhilirating quest for vengeance and redemption it is, as Ultimatum begins with a chase sequence and doesn't allow time to breathe until the final shot is taken (literally). Simply put, there are so many brilliant action set pieces that director Paul Greengrass could've made this single film into its own trilogy. The first major conflict involves a high-tech game of "Where's Waldo," as Bourne attempts to evade CIA surveillance in Waterloo Station while protecting journalist Ross from an untimely demise. Without a single shot being fired, Greengrass manages to capture more intensity and anxiety from this high-stakes situation than every other summer blockbuster combined. While providing much needed excitement, this scene also highlights Bourne's true abilities, conflict behind-the-scenes at the CIA, and the theme of how frightening modern day surveillance has become as the true extent of our lack of privacy is revealed - all within 10 minutes.
This truly sets the tone for the remainder of the film, as Bourne slowly unravels his past admist assassinations, vicious hand-to-hand combat, and metal-crushing car chases. The brawl between Bourne and a deadly 'asset' (read: hitman) in an apartment is a visceral, brutal battle that's one for the books (pardon the terrible pun). Greengrass keeps the action (and the camera) moving frequently, managing to balance intelligence and adrenaline so that neither our brain or heart stops working (it's a medical miracle!). This film could probably replace defibrillators as a hospital's main method of reviving people with weak hearts.
If I haven't made it obvious, one of the primary reasons Ultimatum functions as efficiently as Bourne himself is because of the numerous contributions from director Greengrass. Utilizing his knowledge from The Bourne Supremacy and United 93, Greengrass melds exposition with action into a compelling spy thriller that entertains on both a superficial and more meaningful level. Combining disorienting camerawork with frenetic editing maintains the adrenaline rush and only serves to highlight Bourne's predicament from his viewpoint, never losing sight of the crucial elements needed to progress the plot. In other words, we step into Bourne's shoes for the length of the film.
But why should we care for an amnesiac assassin whose primary goals are self-centered? Two reasons: the script from Tony Gilroy, Scott Z. Burns, and George Nolfi, and an urgent performance from Matt Damon.
Yes, the screenplay follows the formula of the previous Bourne films: Bourne becomes involved in a conspiracy which results in several confrontations with hitmen, including a fist fight using normal office items as weapons and a car chase through back alleyways, eventually leading to a few revealing tidbits about Bourne's past. Despite this, the pacing, constant twists (back-stabbing, new information about Bourne, etc.), and growing humanity of its lead character propel the film past the formulaic trappings to create an experience where the next plot point may be expected, can never be predicted, and is always anticipated with unrestrained glee. Some questions are answered, many more are proposed, and we seem to learn everything about Bourne while really learning nothing. But, this web of ever-changing relationships would remain unconnected and unsatisfying if not for the strong performances from its lead actors.
Damon continues his career-defining performance as Jason Bourne with a focused commitment on ensuring that the man without a past is not a man without emotion. Every word spoken is clear and deliberate, relaying the utmost importance of a paranoid - but highly skilled - experiment gone wrong. With each action, Damon conveys the life-or-death possibility that permeates his every step. But where he truly shines is giving this killing machine a soul, sometimes allowing a softer side to be exposed through his tough exterior in the form of regret, forgiveness, and the need for redemption. Avoiding cheesy one-liners and sticking to the human elements, Bourne is a realistic and likable portrayal of a man that has nothing - yet everything - to lose.
Every other actor exerts a commendable effort, creating believable CIA agents and hitmen that may alter your perception of good and evil. The most notable secondary actor is Joan Allen as Pamela Landy for her determination and confusion regarding her evolving relationship with Bourne and the CIA. David Strathairn, Scott Glenn, Edgar Ramirez, Joey Ensah, and Albert Finney all contribute compelling showcases as foes with their own motivations for stopping Bourne dead in his tracks.
The Bourne Ultimatum isn't perfect, however, as one weakness includes Julia Stiles' somewhat bland performance as Nicky Parsons, but even this is remedied by her story arc. The camera tends to sway too much in dialogue-heavy scenes, and there are a few minor plot holes, but these complaints are simply too miniscule in the grand scale of the film. Who cares if we don't truly learn Bourne's entire backstory when it's been so fun getting there?
As the trilogy comes full circle, Ultimatum is an unmistakable modern classic, tying together one of the freshest and most brilliant franchises in one of the genres most known for cliches and stupidity. From engaging characters to unbelievable action, Bourne finally proves that you can go home again.
That is, until you're called out of retirement for the fourth film.
Side Note: Seriously, name a better action trilogy of the past two decades than the Bourne series.
The Bourne Supremacy led to the grittier and more realistic takes on James Bond and Batman in Casino Royale and Batman Begins, respectively.
"So, I was just, you know...thinking that maybe...well, I was just wondering if...do you want to go out with me?"
The Bourne Ultimatum, a Universal Pictures release, is rated PG-13 for "violence and intense sequences of action."
Total running time is 111 minutes.
Starring Matt Damon, Julia Stiles, David Strathairn, and Joan Allen. Screenplay by Tony Gilroy, Scott Z. Burns, and George Nolfi. Based on the novel by Robert Ludlum. Directed by Paul Greengrass.
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