By Devin Rodgers/south news editor
When we last saw Jason Bourne, he was walking the streets of Manhattan.
How he got there and why we didn’t quite know, but don’t worry, all is explained in the latest, and most likely final, installment in the genre elevating series.
Once again behind the camera and in control of the chaos is the great Paul Greengrass, coming off of last year’s masterpiece, United 93. He’s becoming a real force to be reckoned with in Hollywood.
His camera captures every violent shake and lung-crushing punch with such tremendous energy you’ll come out of The Bourne Ultimatum catching your breath.
The action comes so fast and furious, even the camera struggles to keep up with Bourne and his daring escapes from tight corners and dispatching endless assassins, who are always hot on his heels.
The series is one big chase, and as Bourne crosses the finish line in this intense marathon, the thrills never let up; even the small, quiet conversations are full of adrenaline and high-strung tension.
The Bourne series has raised the bar for the action genre with its relentless fast pace and sharp wit, which is probably why Bond finally stepped up his game last year with Casino Royale, which I would argue is the best Bond film yet.
For the last two films, Bourne has been searching for his past and has vowed to bring the fight to the government’s doorstep if they ever mess with him again.
Well, he finally gets answers to all of those questions, and he most certainly takes the fight to them.
Bourne’s quest is a heavily woven web of government secrets, a nosey journalist, experimental testing and power-hungry government officials willing to do anything and everything to accomplish their mission.
He leaves a trail of collateral damage hitting such locales as Spain, London, Morocco, France and finally New York. The Bourne series really has been a stunning summertime game of Where’s Waldo?
The Bourne Ultimatum might be the most visceral and exhausting chase movie ever committed to film.
Right from the start, your heart-rate will be jacked, as Bourne tries to escape authorities in Moscow and treat the gunshot wound he sustained at the end of the last film.
The majority of the film tracks Bourne’s movements across Europe, showing exactly why and how he manages to come State-side.
All the secrets of Bourne’s past rest with two men: CIA official Noah Vosen, played with a nervous, iron fist by David Strathairn (Good Night, and Good Luck), and the cold and mysterious Dr. Albert Hirsch, played well by Albert Finney (Big Fish).
The script—once again based on the novel by Robert Ludlum—is crisp and energetic with good performances from Joan Allen and Julia Stiles, returning this time as Bourne’s only allies.
Ultimatum really is Damon’s show, and he commands every second of the film.
Just like Harrison Ford’s Indiana Jones and Bruce Willis’ John McClane, Damon’s Bourne pulls off the toughest of challenges with ease, and he once again fits perfectly into the role.
Bourne will probably go down in the pantheon of all-time classic action icons, not just for his lightning quick and almost superhuman agility, but maybe more importantly for his smarts, which are just as essential and lightning fast.
He is a thinking man’s superhero for the real world, where the life of a spy is anything but glamorous. And he often sacrifices not only his mind and body, but also his soul.
This is the only three-quel to come out this summer, or in a really long time for that matter, that actually ups the thrill level and pushes harder and faster than its predecessors.
This is not only the best action film of the year, but one of the best thrillers to hit theaters in quite some time.
Ultimatum gives a solid and satisfying conclusion and nicely ties up all the lose threads from the first two films.
Hollywood should allow this tired and tortured hero to rest in peace and avoid any unwarranted and unworthy sequels.
