The Bourne Ultimatum
Rated: PG-13 
Not to rag on to Doug Liman, director of The Bourne Identity, but there are two reasons why the Bourne films have gone from mediocre spy fare to being the most politically relevant and intellectually engaging ass-kicking action fare around. Those two reasons are director Paul Greengrass and the immensely talented Matt Damon. The Bourne Ultimatum picks up directly after the last film with Bourne still running for his life but also close to finally understanding his past. Unfortunately, while he has managed to come under the good graces of Pamela Landy (Joan Allen), he also appears on the radar of an overzealous black-ops director who has no problem murdering as many innocent civilians as possible if it means keeping us safe. It’s the kind of story that could only exist not only in a post-9/11 world, but in the world created by the Bush Administration where the ends justify the means. While all this commentary does boil just beneath the surface, the surface is so intense and enthralling that you never feel like you’ve just been served a heap of lecture or partisan pandering. The magnetism of Matt Damon’s performance and Greengrass’ rough hand-held camera make sure that you’re always in the action, rarely confused (if ever) but never in need of a motion-sickness bag. You may, however, need to listen to some soothing music afterwards as the film has one of the most bone-crunching, sense-smashing sound mixes I’ve ever heard. The sound does more for the violence than any amount of gore-porn could ever provide. The Bourne Ultimatum is an anomaly among summer action flicks. When Bruce Willis launching a car into a helicopter is supposed to stand as the non-supernatural summer action flick, the final entry in the Bourne trilogy seems almost too real (even if the brilliant Tangiers chase sequence goes on perhaps a little too long). It’s the oddest and most rewarding blend of escapist espionage fare combined with a documentary-style that is a testament to Greengrass’ ability and showcases yet again why he’s one of the best directors working today. While most trilogy-enders have come up short this summer, The Bourne Ultimatum is one of the most rewarding films of the year. Words by
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