Jason Bourne may forget who he is, but he sure knows how to still thrill audiences.
The amnesiac super assassin returns in "The Bourne Ultimatum," the third film based on the Robert Ludlum novels, still searching for his true identity and knocking senseless whoever gets in his way.
"Ultimatum" picks up just about exactly where "The Bourne Supremacy" left off: Bourne (Matt Damon) on the run, following every possible to lead him to the truth about him and his background. Yet, the same people who trained him, the CIA, are also still out to eliminate him, seeing him as a threat to just about everybody he meets.
Bourne discovers that newspaper reporter Simon Ross (Paddy Considine) has not only been writing articles about Bourne but has been in contact with one of the men behind Operation Treadstone, the project that made Bourne who he is. Making matters worse is that the CIA's newest project, Blackbriar, has also been leaked to Ross.
CIA associate director Noah Vosen (David Strathairn) wants that leaked plugged, but when Bourne shows up on scene, the game plan changes-eliminate Bourne. However, CIA agent Pamela Landy (Joan Allen) believes all Bourne wants his the truth and is just trying to find it.
While on the run, Bourne swiftly and furiously knocks every "asset" (assassin to the CIA) senseless-or lifeless-in the same way he's always known how. Bourne soon discovers that, somehow Dr. Albert Hirsch (Albert Finney) figures into his killing equation. Eventually, Nicky Parsons (Julia Stiles), a CIA operative from Bourne's past, gets mixed up with Bourne and must run herself.
"Ultimatum" is very much in the same vein as "Supremacy," partly because director Paul Greengrass returns. Greengrass is an expert filmmaker when it comes to handheld photography. "Supremacy" showed his knack for action scenes and quick cuts; the same applies here.
With so-close-you're-there camerawork, Greengrass dumps us into the thick of the action, whether it's an overhead view of Bourne in adrenaline-fueled hand-to-hand combat or sitting next to Bourne in another great motion picture car chase.
Damon has always shown flair for playing detached, troubled and torn individuals searching for clarity. This ability dates back to our introduction to the boyish Damon in "Good Will Hunting" and can even be seen in the "Ocean's" movies. Damon has found his extraordinary ability as a tortured soul and embedded himself into film culture, embodying the man Ludlum created in his novels-Damon's niche is playing Bourne.
It is also great to see terrific character actor Strathairn get a career rejuvenation, thanks to his splendid Academy Award-nominated performance as CBS newsman Edward R. Murrow in "Good Night, and Good Luck." He is a nasty, cruel man in "Ultimatum" but it is a rich role. Allen still is good at playing the motherly Landy, although she's more of a savior here than a protector here.
Damon and Greengrass have pulled all the tricks out of their sleeves-again-giving fans of your friendly neighborhood forgetful assassin another round on the screen. And the third time is the charm, third time in a row, anyways.
"The Bourne Ultimatum" is one of the best films of the year. "Ultimatum" is the best of the series, and while it may make you forget about the previous films, it reminds you how great this series has been.
|
Top Stories
125 Comments
