The Bourne Ultimatum

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Saw this one yesterday, and posted this review of The Bourne Ultimatum in the reviews area:

The Bourne Ultimatum



In recent years, Hollywood has caught onto the idea that gritty realism attracts moviegoers just as well as glitzy spectacle (and usually costs a good deal less). Even James Bond, who was dodging satellite lasers in massive ice castles just five years ago, has gotten wise to this fact, and he owes a debt to the character of Jason Bourne for last year's successful reboot of his iconic franchise.

The Bourne Ultimatum is what every third chapter in a trilogy should be: dense, polished, and better than its predecessors.

Set shortly after the events of The Bourne Supremacy, the film focuses on Bourne's attempts to discover the last few pieces of his past, including the man (or men) who he believes are ultimately responsible for what he's become.

Though this film stretches reality a little more than the first two (especially in regards to Bourne's ability to withstand physical punishment), it remains stunningly plausible. The technology is eminently possible, and is impressive largely because of the ingenuity with which it is employed. Leave it to the Bourne franchise to turn even spy gadgetry into a method of character development.

Matt Damon is quiet and understated, and conveys a drive and singularity of purpose consistent with Bourne's struggle to reassemble his personal history. He takes a tremendous beating, but limps away every time. One gets the feeling he would not particularly mind these beatings (or even death itself) if it did not prevent him from learning the truth about his past.

There are a few moments that will prompt incredulity on the part of the audience. Some of these are stunt-oriented, but a few seem to require that we forget that Bourne knows all of the protocols of the people chasing him. It also asks us to forget that they know he knows, and would presumably factor that into a few crucial decisions. Nonetheless, Bourne's ghostlike movements seem to inspire fear even in the people hunting him, to the point where such obvious mistakes fall short of becoming outright plot holes.

Somehow, The Bourne Ultimatum never wears thin, despite the fact that it's practically one giant chase scene. It is fast-paced without feeling rushed, and patient without feeling slow.

More impressive than any of these things, however, is the agonizing patience with which it reveals its back story to us (and Bourne, for that matter). In a lesser series, Bourne's story would have been divulged all at once at the end of The Bourne Identity, probably in a 5-minute rush of exposition. But here, his discoveries are stretched over three films. Information trickles out, sometimes without any buildup or warning.

Damon has said that this is to be the final film in the franchise. That is, of course, far from certain, though it is hard to imagine anyone else in the titular role. Audiences may accept a series of actors playing a character like James Bond, who is more abstract concept than relatable human being. Jason Bourne, however, has real depth, and one gets the feeling that moviegoers would not respond well to a series of actors in the role.

Regardless, though the story is somewhat open-ended, it gives us (and Bourne) a reasonable amount of closure. We learn new things about the character, and a pleasantly surprising theme about choice and independent thinking emerges in the third act.

Fast, and well-constructed, The Bourne Ultimatum refuses to sacrifice its realism for a cheap thrill. It is an exciting and satisfying conclusion to an exceptional trilogy.

And yes, that's 6 straight reviews wherein I've given the film at least 4 out of 5 stars. But hey, it's a been a good couple of weeks, movie-wise.



I ain't gettin' in no fryer!
It is fast-paced without feeling rushed, and patient without feeling slow
This comment alone stood out and just made me want to go throw down $9 and see it right now!
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I've had this at the back of my mind as potentially being the best film this summer and held high hopes that've somewhat waned seeing it as more of an actioner but your review seems to justify my hopes but why only
and not higher? Damned 2 week wait for it.
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Bourne Identity shakey cam really annoyed me...Tell me have they used these methods in the action scenes in this movie too? *hoping not*



I've had this at the back of my mind as potentially being the best film this summer and held high hopes that've somewhat waned seeing it as more of an actioner but your review seems to justify my hopes but why only
and not higher? Damned 2 week wait for it.
I know! It's frustrating reading these raving reviews about it and knowing we have to wait a good 2 weeks to watch it. Stil, this review is decent and more than enough to make me watch the UK premiere of The Bourne Ultimatum. Sounds like it's closer in style to The Bourne Identity than Supremacy. And for the record, I preferred Identity to Supremacy.

Oh, and Paddy Considine is in this! That alone is worth the price of admission!

Anyways, another great review by Yoda. Nice one, mate.



hot



I've had this at the back of my mind as potentially being the best film this summer and held high hopes that've somewhat waned seeing it as more of an actioner but your review seems to justify my hopes but why only
and not higher? Damned 2 week wait for it.
I didn't give it a higher rating because I think I spotted some sorta-kinda plot holes at a couple of points. Or, if not plot holes, at least a few things I found a bit hard to swallow. Also, while it's all very well done, it never completely blew me away. So, I decided to just give it a
.

Bourne Identity shakey cam really annoyed me...Tell me have they used these methods in the action scenes in this movie too? *hoping not*
Sorry I didn't reply to this sooner. Anyway, they've done away with a lot of the shakycam stuff. There's still some of it, but I wasn't nauseated or anything the way I was with The Bourne Supremacy.



Movie Forums Critic
hey nice thread, i like the film, hope it is more fun than the las sequel

ciao



Bourne Identity shakey cam really annoyed me...Tell me have they used these methods in the action scenes in this movie too? *hoping not*
As usual, they used them in the actions scenes especially.This is the 'only' thing I hated about this franchise. That damn shaky cam. And it seemed to have gotten worse with this one. The NYPD days are long over when this tactic worked and it's about time to just get back to normal or at least bring it down a few notches in the shaky department. I mean, even in the non action sequences they had to do it.

I think they should be handing out aspirin with your ticket just before the movie.



fbi
Registered User
I felt the bourne identity was overrated. An ok film but nothing special.



Saw it yesterday!

MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!








Sorry, but that was a top film! Was rarely bored throughout the film. Does what it says on the tin and a bit more. I was worried that I wouldn't like it as much as I had hoped to because all the reviews were so positive that my expectations were high. I of course, was NOT disappointed.

Like Yoda said, there is a surprising amount of themes prevalent throughout (and especially at the end) of the film regarding choice.
And the performances are pretty much understated with Damon blurring the line between by-any-means-necessary hard man to exhausted, sensitive geunine pig. The support from the ever excellent Scott Glenn, David Straithain and Joan Allen were what you expect from old scool pros.

Another actor I have not mentioned, Paddy Considine, did a fine job too. However, I was ****ing FUMING when he got killed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They killed of Paddy freakin' Considine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 Buncha wankers, bruv! I was hoping he was going to go all Dead Man Shoes on those CIA arseholes, but he ends up getting shot! I at least thought he'd be Bourne's sidekick but alas no ):

Anyways, I can't close this post without saying that this film featured some of the most outstanding action scenes i've ever seen - in my life. There were some stunts in there....well, I had no idea how they pulled a majority of them off without getting anybody injured. In fact, I dare say that some of the action scenes were so raw and intense, I was a bit uncomfortable.

Take the scene where Bourne fights with Morrocan agent, Desh. Man, that scene keeps making me wonder how such a film got a 12A certificate. It's was violent, intense and really uncomfortable. It's not like one of those 'cool' fight scenes you see from Mortal Kombat or Spiderman. This scene had a domestic abuse vibe to it, and left me generally concerned for the actors.

Oh, same comments to THAT car chase crash sequence. Man, talk about UNCOMFORTABLE. That's what a car chase scene should be. Hard to watch and completely dangerous to the point where it puts you off getting into one.

Great sound editing, acting and, of course, action.

Top film



All three movies are good. This one was the best.
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Great!!!



has any one seen the guillermo of Jimmy kimmel's live version of the trailer? it's hilarious. you can find it at youtube.
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Standing in the Sunlight, Laughing
I saw this based on your recommend, Yoda.. and a few others.. and my roommate works for Dreamworks so I got to see it for free, HEE! But yeah, very exciting film. Matt Damon never looked better, for one thing. Perhaps more importantly, the story is a series of ramps that we move across quickly and get very little down time between.

One thing I have to say is that I found it jarring that so much damage is done to the property/persons of people totally unrelated to the adventures of Our Hero. I left the story more than once, with the thought "how can they thoughtlessly do this?"

That aside though, very entertaining.
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Review: Cabin in the Woods 8/10



I just love the Bourne Ultimatum 1 and 2.. they are just damn good! (but not as great as this one) The Bourne Ultimatum rocks!



A system of cells interlinked
There is only one Bourne Ultimatum, as far as I know. The first two films are The Bourne Identity and The Bourne Supremacy.
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Jason Bourne did a very nice action in this movie...The breath taking action really rocks my world...