Hola all. Massawyrm here.
You know, there's not really a whole hell of a lot to say about The Bourne Ultimatum as it is one of those films that truly is what it is. At this point you know whether this is your thing or not. Matt Damon plays ass kicking one time assassin Jason Bourne who returns for one more foray into his past as he slowly, piece by piece discovers that he's really Wolverine without the claws.
The Bourne films have never really been my thing. I've enjoyed them as the fun little action films they are, but I've never walked away from one saying Man, I need to watch that again! In fact, I've never watched them again. But I did enjoy each one as I watched it. To me they've always been fire and forget enjoyable time passers.
And that's exactly what The Bourne Ultimatum is, more of the same, but in the best way possible. Of the three it is actually my favorite - a ramped up, fun, thinly plotted chase movie that delivers on just about everything it appears to be attempting. There's not a whole hell of a lot going on. Jason Bourne once again is trying to find out his true identity which leads to the occasional scene in which Bourne is given a cryptic scrap of information before he is discovered by the local authorities and has to run, jump and kick his way through the highly trained but suddenly inept mob of agents. After about ten or so minutes of this we cut to another city, Bourne gets another scrap of cryptic information…lather, rinse, repeat. For about two hours. And despite this simple, methodical approach to storytelling, the structure actually works.
Every action beat hits at just the right time and watching to see exactly how Bourne is going to get out of trouble this time proves an enjoyable exercise every time he does it. The action is pretty intense, the pacing taut and there's never a wasted moment. Paul Greengrass seems to be exercising demons, having just previously torn the heart out of every New Yorker with United 93, he now wants to have fun with the town, tearing up every street and building he can find. And once again his raw, documentary style adds a gritty, almost believable reality to some pretty extreme stunts and sequences.
This was actually a really enjoyable film. It's nothing that's going to set the scene a blaze, but it's definitely going to take your ten dollars at the door and give you something worth every penny. The Bourne Ultimatum is the perfect example of a summer film – fun, loud and mindless, but ultimately something you won't regret giving your time over to. Recommended.
Until next time friends, smoke ‘em if ya got ‘em.
Massawyrm
Bourne, Bourne, Bourne, Bourne to be alive.
