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The Bourne Ultimatum
Directed by: Paul Greengrass
Starring: Matt Damon
Genre:
Action/Adventure
Run Time: 115
min.
Release Date:
August 2007
On The Web:
Official
Site
Teaser:
Movie Trailer
Reviewed by
Byron Merritt |
Not being much of a Matt
Damon fan, I rarely look forward to any of his films. There are
exceptions, of course, most notably his surprisingly great performance
in THE GOOD
SHEPHERD. But even within The Good Shepherd, Damon’s
emotional range isn’t challenged, which is why the part was perfect for
him considering who he was portraying.
Part of that issue spills over into this series where we see a super-spy
with little-to-no emotions that might help audiences “feel” anything for
Jason Bourne. But THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM and its predecessors aren’t about
character, they’re about action, and director Greengrass knows action
very well. If you think these stories have anything to do with
character, you are seriously deluded. We never understand the
motivations behind any of the prime or secondary characters. This is
glaringly obvious when Jason and a CIA “asset” sent out to eliminate him
battle and, eventually, come to some sort of understanding.
But, like I said, these stories aren’t character pieces but adrenaline
pumping action sequences designed as a thrill ride. And on that level
expectations are well-met.
Running from city to city, this is basically one long chase scene where
the CIA learns that Bourne has resurfaced and several key officers
within “The Agency” don’t want him to discover a covert operation that
harkens back to Bourne’s uber-secret beginnings.
David Strathairn (GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK) and Scott Glenn (FREEDOM
WRITERS) star as two powerful but ultimately despicable Agency
higher-ups who’s attempts to snare Jason Bourne are continually foiled
by Bourne and someone within their own department.
Female leads Joan Allen (THE ICE STORM) and Julia Stiles (THE OMEN,
2006) pull in okay performances; Allen as the sympathetic CIA agent who
wants to know why her superiors are so enamored with killing off Jason
Bourne, and Stiles as the former love interest who reemerges to
initially help Jason but only puts herself in danger and must be saved
by Bourne. Although that was a bit confusing (i.e., their relationship
history), the rooftop chase through Tangier is flat-out amazing.
This is one of those film series’ where you need to be in the mood for
such things. If you want thoughtful, look elsewhere. But if you want
heart-pounding action, you’re in for a treat.
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Image from The Bourne
Ultimatum
DVD cost: $18.99
Purchase:
BestPrices.com
Film Review Stew
Favorite? No.
Stew Poo-Poo? No.
Newsworthy:
The film crew were unable
to shut down Waterloo station, so pedestrians in the station can be seen
looking and pointing at the camera.
Movie Quote: "They
can't stop me."
Other Actors/Actresses
from The Bourne Ultimatum
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