Joe Barber Reviews “THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM”

by Joe Barber on Aug.03, 2007, under Joe Barber's Movie Reviews

Yes, I know. When you look at Matt Damon, the last thing you think is “this is the deadliest man on Earth.” But, after plunging, head long,, into “The Bourne Ultimatum, ” the final chapter in the Jason Bourne spy trilogu, you might just join me in changing your mind. Director Paul Greengrass’ second Bourne thriller is lean, mean and subtly subversive in its storytelling.

A brief recap: Bourne (Damon) is C.I.A. trained assassin who is very, very good at his job. Wounded while attempting a killing on a yacht in the first Bourne film, “The Bourne Idenity” in 2001, Bourne lost his memory but retained his deadly skills. A good thing too, as it turned out he was being used by a group inside the Agency to do some dirty deeds.

BVourne fell in lovem dodged the inner agency bad guys trying to eliminate him and his love, revealed the conspiracy and “retired” from the spy business. Or at least until 2004, when “The Bourne Supremacy” was released. Turns out higher ups, worried about Bourne’s continued exsistance, framed him for stealing secrets and killing agents. Despite losing his girlfriend, Bourne regained more of his memory and cleared his name.

Now, in “Ultimatum,” Bourne is putting the final pieces of his personal puzzle together and is determined to confront the people who made him who he is. This has paniced sseveral big bosses at the Agency, leading them to start a worl-wide manhunt for Bourne. Meanwhile, Pamela Landy (Joan Allen,) the C.I.A Sub-director with whom Bourne formed an uneasy alliance in “Supremacy,” begins digging to find out just why people so badly want a man with no memory dead.

DirectorGreengrass and screenwriters Tony Gilroy, Scott Z. Burns and George Nolfi hit the ground runnin in the film’s early moments and never let up-except to advance the plot now and then. Those who missed the first two film needn’t worry. They take steps to clue you in on what has happened in the past and its effect on what’s happening now. (To be fair, it will add to your pleasure if you see the first two on DVD.) The action sequences are dazzling, combining the dazzling kind of stunt fighting that’s become standard in most films today with Hitchcock’s credo that audiences should be reminded that violence hasd an ugly side and shouldn’t be glorified.

The screenplay skilfully balances the audience’s desire for thrills with their need for understanding the plot and for some sort of closure after three breathtaking thrill rides. The movie also offers food for thought on the ways and lengths to which great powers will go to preserve their secrets and status. Damon is surrounded by a first rate supporting cast,. Besides Alllen, there’s good work done here by David Strathairn, Julia Stiles, Scott Glenn and Albert Finney.

This is probably not the last tiome we’ll see Jason Bourne, but that’s O.K. It’s going to take at least three years (if not more) to catch our breath after “The Bourne Ultimatum.”

MPAA RATING:PG-13 for profanity and violence, sometimes graphic.
JOE’S RATING: THREE AND A HALF SRTARS.