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Bourne Ultimatum, TheThere's no getting around it: there was simply no better summer blockbuster in 2007 than the astonishing The Bourne Ultimatum.
It's a film that defies expectations in many ways. Firstly, it's a third entry in a trilogy that by some distance in the best in an already-compelling franchise. Secondly, whenThe Bourne Ultimatum kickstarts with a ferocious energy and pace, you sit there and rightly expect it not to keep the momentum going. But it does. And does it astonishingly well. Just witness the breathless sequence through Waterloo Station, convince yourself that the film has peaked then, then go and watch them top it later on in the movie. The film itself has many trump cards, not least its leading man. Matt Damon fits the character of reluctant lead Jason Bourne perfectly, but the trick is to give him some excellent supporting players to work against. Thus, The Bourne Ultimatum also stars the excellent pair of David Straitharn and a returning Joan Allen, along with Albert Finney, Paddy Considine and Julia Stiles too. But the hidden hero of The Bourne Ultimatum is director Paul Greengrass. Arguably one of the most interesting and talented directors working today (he was rightly Oscar-nominated for his haunting United 93), Greengrass has fashioned a genuinely thrilling action thriller, that bursts with an energy and relentlessness that you simply have no right to expect. That he also managed to wrap up the story Jason Bourne's quest for his identity in the midst of it is all the more astonishing. A terrific end to an already-impressive trilogy, there's little else ot say about The Bourne Ultimatum, which is simply a near flawless piece of blockbuster entertainment. Put simply: don't miss this movie. --Simon Brew |
Average User Rating: 80% (108 Reviews) | |
| 5 / 5 | YOU COULD NOT ASK FOR A BETTER END TO TWO BRILLIANT SPY FILMS
stuart "s.vernon" (MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND) - 10 September 2007 This has been one heck of a summer for Action films, and trilogies, some good, some not so good. Live Free or Die Hard still stands out as the best action film I have seen in years and yet now The Bourne Ultimatum comes along and once again blows me through the back of the theater. If you've followed this series from the first installment then you can understand the absolute desire to closure in the series but still keep that element of mystery and that is precisely what the Bourne film makers did including Paul Greengrass, who has this distinct and often talked about format for his films that really works for a film like Bourne Supremacy and Ultimatum. He took over from Doug Liman (who stayed on board as executive producer for the latter films) and Greengrass flawlessly and perfectly picked up the story without missing a beat and followed through all the continuity, all the mystery and then packed a wallop with this final installment. His sporadic and crazed filming style (the constant shaking of the camera) works really well for Bourne because it's that kind of hectic and crazy action and it's not overdone to the point where you're desperately trying to see what's going on. Greengrass knows how to send the story in the direction he wants and then to unfold brilliant action scenes when necessary. Matt Damon is just down right brilliant as the quiet, intense, depressive Jason Bourne who has had everything taken from him and is now getting closer to ever to figuring out his identity. Bourne's brilliance is as top notch as ever and he's honed his skills beyond what they originally taught him so he's even more himself. Damon embraces that so well and performs this role with no ego, he's not Matt Damon impressing us all as Bourne, he IS Bourne and he is perfect at it pulling off the fighting, the killing, the eluding and still a very sympathetic character. Joan Allen returns from Supremacy as Pamela Landy, the anti-heroine for Bourne who wants to help him find his identity and uncover the truth of project Treadstone. Allen is appropriately intense for this role, and a great female lead to Damon's intense male role. I might even say she would do well in a bigger role but still her performance is great. Julia Stiles also returns as logistics agent Nicky Parsons. While never a big role in any of the three films, she's been a presence and her presence in this new installment opens up a new mystery in the Bourne history. Stiles is a terrific addition to the cast and the only one to return for all three films except Damon. Amazing character actor David Strathairn joins the cast as cold blooded head of the 'new' Treadstone Noah Vosen. Strathairn is an amazing follow up to the character of Alexander Conklin played by Chris Cooper who was an incredible nemesis for Bourne. Straithairn valiantly takes over that role and is amazing. Add in a supporting cast of the amazing Albert Finney (in a sadly very small role), Joey Ansah (in one of the most amazing fight scenes in movie history), and Colin Stinton. What is the best part of The Bourne Ultimatum? Easy. If the Bourne films have been anything...they've been story driven...one of the best, if not THEE best stories from an action film in history. Amnesia, love, killers, assassins, government agencies, a cover up...all of this has been heaped on in two movies and these films have been so story driven and they have done such an incredible job of doing this story that there isn't anything to do in Ultimatum but wrap everything up. The best part of that is it leaves it wide open for some of the most incredible action scenes, and absolute non stop action that will leave you completely breathless. A car chase that rivals any film, a brutal hand to hand fight that leaves your jaw dropped onto the floor, brilliant roof top escapes and gun fights, and constant chaos everywhere. I will only say one minor flaw was I thought one particular chase went on a little long, it wasn't varied enough to really keep you riveted as long as it continued but it climaxed in a spectacular hand to hand fight so it was all worth while. Ultimatum also continues Bourne's amazing and exotic location shooting while still bringing Bourne home back to the door step of the United States and the C.I.A. The Bourne Ultimatum is an incredible end to the trilogy and I PRAY they change their minds and bring Bourne back for another round because this series has truly only gotten better from one film to the next. 10/10... Read Full Review » |
| 4 / 5 | Fitting finale to a superb trilogy
C. A. Johnson (Alton, England) - 6 September 2007 The Bourne series has been a refreshing change to the plot-light, action-heavy spy thrillers of recent years. The Bourne Ultimatum completes the trilogy with a thrilling and often dazzling finale as Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) is forced to re-emerge following a journalist's attempt to uncover operation Black Friar, a top secret upgrade linked to Project Treadstone; the central piece to Bourne's exploits in The Bourne Identity (Doug Liman, 2002) and The Bourne Supremacy (Paul Greengrass, 2004). The appeal of Bourne lies within his vulnerability as a hero and the film's sustained emphasis on his role as an underdog versus the ruthless power of the CIA. As if a battle of wits against America's criminal intelligence agencies is not enough, Bourne also has a continual struggle with amnesia as he tries to remember his dark past. It is a shame that the films opening twenty minutes suffer from awkward, uneven scene changes which undermine an otherwise convincing plot. Although director Paul Greengrass excels in his ability to create tension and drama in key scenes, it is a significant blunder to manufacture a high tempo by hurried and perplexing globe-trotting. Where the Bond franchise has invariably bored less dedicated fans with its utter predictability and invincible protagonist, the Bourne trilogy offers a welcome difference in its edgier, twist-driven plots and smart, complex hero. That said, The Bourne Ultimatum doesn't sidestep all of Bonds errors; the CIA staff are unbelievably daft and some of the film's finest and most compelling scenes are only just carried by Greengrass' skill in the director's chair. It does well not to fall into the wearisome technology-heavy world which 24 is occupying and stays a safe distance from the embarrassing geek-fest that was Live Free or Die Hard (Len Wiseman, 2007). It is the action sequences though that set The Bourne Ultimatum apart from other films of its type. As The French Connection (William Friedkin, 1971) marked new ground in edgy, gritty, realistic car chases; the Bourne films have re-invented the concept. Greengrass' in-your-face camera work can be tedious in its overuse but is superbly employed here. The Bourne Ultimatum was the last book Robert Ludlum wrote before he died and superb as the film trilogy has been, lets hope that a Hollywood obsessed with sequels will resist the temptation to continue the saga and spoil what has been an enthralling series. ... Read Full Review » |
| 1 / 5 | Earthquake-Cam Rules!!!!
nmollo (London) - 14 September 2007 This film is shot with the exclusive use of the "Earthquake-Cam". The result of this irritating and nauseating style is that all the scenes become an indiscriminate blur. Even scenes in a controlled environment, like an office, have this annoying joggledy-woggeldy camera style. Simply put this is bad cinematic craft. The Cameras incessant focus pulling and jerky movement detract from the drama by constantly reminding us that what we are watching is a film and a poor one at that. /> I can understand that the use of hand-held shots can produce authenticity but why purposely move the Camera and re-focus while actors are simply talking across a desk. The action scenes suffer more than most, as it is simply impossible to see any of the action in any detail. Greengrass also appears to be in love with the "One-Eye Close Up", this being the poor framing of a shot so that one actors shoulder obscures half the face of the other actor. It is a sorry state of affairs when a director robs the actor of his most important tool, the face. As plot lines go, this film has so many implausibility's that they are too numerous to list in entirety. Here are just a few. How does he get into the C.I.A offices and just as easily get out again? A window seems to supply every escape including a top security interrogation room! (The sight of Bourne jumping for a window that had iron bars across it would have been interesting.) Why is Bourne never stopped at passport control? The list of stupidities goes on. My main problem with the film as a whole is the obvious lack of respect given to the audience's intellect by the filmmakers thus making the enormous amount of good reviews posted rather confusing. Is The Bourne Ultimatum worthy of its position of #74 in the Top 250 films ever made? Is it better than Full Metal Jacket or Huozhe? Is it better than Jaws or Once Upon a Time in America? Is it better than High Noon or Kind Hearts and Coronets?... Read Full Review » |
| 4 / 5 | Cracking Finale
Mrs. D. A. Northgate (Hornsey, North London) - 27 October 2007 This is a superb end to a great trilogy, Damon is excellent as Bourne, the amnesiac CIA assassin who, now, for the final film, remembers everything about his training and the people who made him, and wants revenge. The film has some fantastic set peices including a brilliant chase through Waterloo station at rush hour, and a spectacular car chase through the streets of New York. The final act is great, and ties up all the lose ends of the film; really enjoyable.... Read Full Review » |
| 5 / 5 | Awesome action with intense plot !!
Mr.DOG "nigel" (england) - 9 September 2007 What a fantastic film but you really need to have seen the previous 2 to fully understand & appreciate the plot. Jason Bourne is searching for his identity and surviving many attempts on his life, because he holds the key to a number of high ranking individuals positions. This film is the best in the trilogy, even though the other 2 are fantastic, as it answers all the questions with relentless pace and action. It is the must see film of 2007 and completely wraps up the plot of the whole Bourne saga. Buy it !!!!... Read Full Review » |
RRP
£19.99
Release Date
10 December 2007
Price Range
£4.99 - £12.99