The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) Matt Damon, Julia Stiles, David Strathairn

This Bourne is a winner.

I loved the third entry of the action-filled Bourne films. The Bourne Ultimatum started like a house on fire and continued the momentum through the entire film. The nonstop action is not tiring to the viewer, nor does it get in the way of the story in this continuing Bourne saga.

The Bourne Ultimatum may be final installment of the Bourne movies. However, film audiences seem to love Matt Damon and his Bourne persona so we may be seeing Bourne sometime in the future.

Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) works for a covert CIA operation--he does not know why or how this came to be. He is not even sure what his job is. He does know that he is not safe and that “they” want him dead. The question is why? The answer is he knows too much. However, he does not know what it is he knows, because he cannot remember anything from his past. Are we clear on that? This film reminds me of the 2003 film Paycheck. Bourne’s frequent and hazy flashbacks fade away so quickly that he cannot get a handle on them. He believes that the obscure figure in the flashbacks hold the key to his true identity.

Bourne has made it his mission to find out how he arrived where he is before he is caught and killed. Matt Damon is superb in his Jason Bourne skin. However, it is David Strathairn as Noah Vosen, a high-ranking CIA operative who holds your attention. The Noah Vosen character is new to the Bourne series. Strathairn’s Vosen, is intense and riveting. We watch as he looses sight of everything else except the extermination of his target. The CIA’s clandestine operation success or failure depends on whether Bourne lives or dies.

Bourne’s only ally is agent Pamela Landy (Joan Allen), who works for Vosen. She suspects that there is more going on than meets the eye. She wants to help, but finds that she is under the watchful eyes of Vosen and his cronies.

The Bourne Ultimatum has all gadgetry trappings of The Bourne Identity and The Bourne Supremacy and then some. Jason Bourne travels to four or five countries as he continues his search for his identity and to find out who is trying to kill him and why. He ends up in Madrid, where he finds Nicky Parsons (Julia Stiles), who also works for the CIA, but is not part of its covert op. Stiles does not have a big part in this film her role is important to Bourne’s discovery of who he is. The ending leaves the filmgoer wondering if there will be another Bourne movie. Others in the cast are Scott Glenn, Paddy Considine, Edgar Ramirez and Albert Finney as Dr. Albert Hirsch.

The film was directed by Paul Greengrass, cinematography by Oliver Wood, film editing by Christopher Rouse.

I think The Bourne Ultimatum is the best Bourne entry yet. I also think it is very much Oscar-worthy.

See the official web site The Bourne Ultimatum

-Vanette Ryanes

Vanette Ryanes is a true movie maven. She has been an avid movie fan for more than 35 years and has a video library of 200 plus movies. She has a vast knowledge of classic black and white, noir and vintage color movies. If you have questions about movies contact Vanette, (Vannie to her friends) for answers, advice and recommendations.