A Non-Spoiler Review
Through two previous installments, screenwriter Tony Gilroy and actor Matt Damon have brought to life Robert Ludlum’s singular creation: Jason Bourne. And through the previous two films they have proved that covert and clandestine spy thrillers can be gritty and tough and damn entertaining.
With The Bourne Ultimatum, director Paul Greengrass (The Bourne Supremacy) returns along with Gilroy and Damon to unleash the denouement on what has to be one of the very best movie trilogies ever made.
I enjoy the Bourne films for the same reason that I enjoyed Bond’s rebirth in last year’s Casino Royale: they are intense films structured in such a way that there is significant but interesting down-time between action sequences, time to let the audience catch its breath, time to build suspense, time to simply enjoy the process of watching the story unfold.
All three Bourne films literally resonate with intensity. During the measured moments of each film the vibration of suspense is almost palpable. It is almost as if you can sense the film’s heartbeat. This methodical building of tension is one of the aspects that draws me into these films time and time again. The creators of the Bourne trilogy seem to have captured the essence of foreign films in their pacing as well as the essence of American action films and have combined those to create a uniquely entertaining movie experience.
I can say very little about The Bourne Ultimatum without spoiling the experience. It goes without saying that if you are a fan of the first two films, you will leave the theatre fully satisfied at the way the trilogy has concluded. Matt Damon once again proves just what a stellar leading man he is, an action hero of the first rate. The casting on all three films is award-worthy and each of the films has been littered with high caliber actors, all of whom give their very best performances in service of the Bourne films.
One of the most pleasurable things about The Bourne Ultimatum is the way that Greengrass and Gilroy tie this film into the other two films. There are moments where the films intersect and the story is so intricately woven together that on a couple of occasions I let out a hushed “Wow!”, in awe of the craft of storytelling.
Another reason that I really enjoy the Bourne films, as well as the newest James Bond film, is for their unadulterated brutality. It is not that the Bourne films are particularly bloody, it is just that they are intensely violent. Fights and car crashes and gun battles…each punch, each gunshot, tears through you as you sit in the theater, pummelled by the intensity and brutality of sight and sound. Watching a Bourne movie in the theater is a breathtaking experience.
Suffice it to say that I loved this film. Setting aside my favorite genres of fantasy and science fiction, I find myself willing to concede to my brother-in-law Mike that this may be the best trilogy of films ever made. My enjoyment never lessens with subsequent viewings and there is not a moment of disappointment for me during these films.
As the final credits rolled I couldn’t help but hope that, a few years down the road, Matt Damon and company find themselves together again to give us more of the adventures of Jason Bourne. If not, this is a fitting end to a wonderful series of films.
You know I still haven’t seen any of the Bourne movies! I’ve been loving the preview for this one though, so my plan is to rent the first two and see this one while it’s still in the theaters.
I was just about to check movie times when I decided to stop by. Thanks, Carl.
I’ve never seen any of the Bourne films on the big screen (no good reason), but I might just make the effort for this one.
You’re absolutely spot-on about the “European” feel to the films, which goes a long way beyond their setting. And the violence: it’s not pretty violence. There’s a reality to it. You can see it hurts, and you can see that it’s worrying and scary, and the ordinary flats and streets add to that.
There’s only one bum note in the two previous instalments, for me… when Bourne is hiding out at the beginning of “Supremacy”, I think he should have grown his hair out a little and acquired some clothes that weren’t black. You know, for camouflage. I don’t think the average young traveller looks quite so military.
Yeah, that word “jiding” should be “hiding”.
Hey, Carl, it’s been a while since we watched the first two movies.
Should we rent them to refresh our memory before seeing this one?
Oops, I changed it already before reading the correction comment, K.
Cameron, hope you see it before Wed. so we can chat about it.
As far as the whole looks thing, he did stand out in that country somewhat, but I always assumed that part of the idea of him never changing his appearance is that all of the ‘assets’ have similar, non-stand-out appearance, making them somewhat appear like everyone else.
And Chris…what? WHAT?!?! 😉
I haven’t seen any of the movies… but since tom cruise seems to be out of the picture for any new movies (at least for now) Matt Damon might even do better!
I think I will rent the first two so I can see this on the big screen. My dad loves them, too, which is not his typical movie choice…
I loved the first one; also love Matt Damon. I just saw him on the Actor’s Studio a few weeks ago; he has a terrific sense of humor. My plan, since I somehow missed the second one, was to hurry up and return something to Nerflix, and bump #2 to the top of my list. I figure it should be here by wed. and I can go see #3 on friday. I certainly hope all goes as planned, as I’m eager to see this movie.
i really loved the first two and look forward to this one a great deal. glad to hear that its good!
i agree with you – they are intense. very intense. and i love the violence too. not ’cause i like violence, but because its realistic. i just love the way how when he fights its very clearly a means to an end: win the fight or disable your opponent.
seriously. i get all excited when i see him do those precise little chops and kicks.
This is one adventure series that I couldn’t get into. I don’t know if it was how much it detered from the book or just that I don’t like Matt Damon.. or maybe both. lol
I’ve never read the books but I know it went away from them pretty heavily, so I could see that being a sticking point for some people.
I feel the same way about Ben Affleck, and to an even greater degree, Josh Hartnett…so I’m thrilled that they are making 30 Days of Night into a movie but I hate that they picked JH to be the lead. In Matt’s defense, at least he can act. 😉
I can’t wait to see this summer flick. I just don’t know when. Too many good movies out and so little time. 🙂 I see now that Becoming Jane starts this Friday as well as Stardust. Argh! That’s argh in a good way but still an agrh none the less.
i don’t know – i thought josh hartnett was really good in “the black dahlia”. perhaps he’s finally become better?
This looks great. It’s so weird how Damon was miserable during the production. Sounds like he’s out for a 4th. But Greengrass is the shiz. I guess it all came together in the editing room!
Haven’t see Black Dahlia yet, so I cannot judge that one. I’ve just been less than impressed with all his other movies. The only role I’ve enjoyed him in thus far is in Sin City and I suspect that was because the part was so small.
I hadn’t heard much about him being miserable, Rob, but I doubt his pocketbook is hurting any!!!
For the most part I really hope they don’t make another one as this trilogy is nice and complete, but there is still a small part that would like to see more.