The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)

Director : Paul Greengrass
Writers : Tony Gilroy and Scott Z. Burns
Release Date : 10 August 2007 (Indonesia)
Genre : Action / Adventure / Mystery / Thriller
Cast : Matt Damon, Julia Stiles, David Strathaim, Scott Glenn, Paddy Considine, Edgar Ramirez, Albert Finney





Jason Bourne Strikes Back!
by Scott Mantz
reviewed: 2007-08-02

Just when you thought you've seen it all in terms of action movies this summer, along comes “The Bourne Ultimatum” -- the best installment yet in the popular franchise that has grossed more than $500 million worldwide. Adapted from the third in the series of spy novels written by the late Robert Ludlum -- following 2002's “The Bourne Identity” and 2004's “The Bourne Supremacy” -- “Ultimatum” successfully caps off a trilogy of intelligent, adrenaline-fueled espionage thrillers that raised the bar for the genre and made an action hero out of Matt Damon.

After his cover is blown by a front-page story in a London newspaper, former assassin Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) once again becomes the target of the top-secret government agency that turned him into an unstoppable killing machine. With nothing left to lose, Bourne goes on the offensive, traversing the globe in his desperate attempt to seek out those responsible for making him who he is. When he finally reaches the end of the line, he is confronted with a startling revelation that may be more devastating than he can possibly imagine.

You don't need to see the previous “Bourne” flicks to enjoy “Ultimatum,” but it certainly doesn't hurt to check them out anyway (and besides, they're great movies). It will also help you appreciate the masterful direction of Paul Greengrass, who helmed the previous “Bourne” installment, as well as last year's unflinching 9/11 drama “United 93.” With “Ultimatum,” Greengrass takes his energetic style to the next level, resulting in breathtaking action sequences that will keep you on the edge of your seat for nearly 2 pulse-pounding hours.

That's especially the case with a spectacular rooftop chase, during which Jason Bourne easily proves that he could give James Bond a run for his money (and notice that they have the same initials -- coincidence?). But Greengrass kicks the excitement into high gear right from the start with an awesome fight scene in a London tube station. From there, it's off to Madrid, Tangier, Paris, Moscow and, finally, New York City. And when it does slow down to take a breather, the more conventional scenes are also given the shaky camera treatment, resulting in an increased sense of urgency that doesn't let up.

It all makes for a rousing cat-and-mouse game, only in this case, the mouse is the Terminator. That's because Matt Damon just keeps getting up again, even after being attacked by numerous oppressors, getting thrown across the road by a huge explosion and driving a car off a big city rooftop (in reverse, no less). Yet through it all, Damon makes Bourne emotionally vulnerable, which is what makes him worth caring about in the first place.

As for the supporting players, Julia Stiles benefits from a more substantial role this time around, as it is cryptically hinted that her conflicted agent had a past relationship with Bourne. Joan Allen also returns as the tough-as-nails internal investigator who has her own agenda with Bourne, while franchise newcomer David Strathairn (an Oscar-nominee for “Good Night, and Good Luck”) cold-heartedly plays the black-ops leader who vows to take him down once and for all.

So not only is “Ultimatum” the best in the series, but it also tops “Spider-Man 3,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End” and “Ocean's Thirteen” as the best of the Hollywood threequels to come out all summer long. It effectively brings closure to the franchise, but given how the filmmakers keep topping themselves with each passing installment, I'm sure Jason Bourne will find a way to return somewhere down the line. After all, you just can't keep a good man down.