The Bourne Ultimatum

To say that “The Bourne Ultimatum” is a good, old-fashioned espionage thriller wouldn’t be giving it nearly enough praise for what it accomplishes. In today’s dynamically technological society, audiences want action that is quick, gripping, and free from frivolous emotion, which is precisely what director Paul Greengrass serves up in this wildly in-your-face continuation of the Bourne saga. It’s an incredible collection of ferociously choreographed hand-to-hand combat and riveting chase scenes that never lets up long enough to let you take everything in.

For those who aren’t yet familiar with Bourne, he’s an ultra-intelligent and seemingly invincible black-op killing machine who has been on the run for three years from the agency that created him. Uncontrollable feelings of paranoia, guilt, and fury are beginning to infiltrate his every thought, but those are pretty much the only feelings you’ll ever see from him. Unlike some action heroes, Jason Bourne has no time for small talk or droll one-liners. His entire demeanor is recklessly defiant and he rarely allows anyone to get too close, because past experiences have only ended badly.

Here, he is starting to regain some of the memories he thought were lost and wicked CIA Director Noah Vosen (David Strathairn) has unleashed his entire arsenal to make sure that Bourne doesn’t live long enough to recover everything. Bourne’s travels take him through London, Paris, Morocco, and New York City, while the tension only builds as he takes on assassin after assassin in a series of nerve-shattering action sequences. Greengrass’s breakneck editing style seems to accelerate as the film goes on and lets Damon take care of business against what feels like the entire Central Intelligence Agency.

What appears to get lost in the mix here is just how excellent Matt Damon’s performance really is. He conveys Bourne’s nature in a very profound way, because he manages to keep the same deadpan delivery and solemn facial expression throughout the entire film. No matter how many fights or near-death situations he finds himself in, his concentration is never broken. His interpretation of this character is like a fiery, adrenaline-laced version of the role he played in Robert De Niro’s CIA drama “The Good Shepherd” in that both men want to help their country, but must make critical sacrifices along the way.

Other great performances include Joan Allen as Pam Landy and Julia Stiles as Nicky Parsons, but it’s the non-stop thrills that steal the spotlight. For my money, “The Bourne Ultimatum” is one of the best action films of the decade and definitely one of the best of ‘07 so far. Rumors of another Bourne film are beginning to circulate, but unless Damon signs on, I wouldn’t count on it.
- **** out of 4