Universal Studios has popped up on the grid with the dazzling finale to the Bourne trio. The Bourne Ultimatum is well worthy of concluding this six year masterpiece. To anyone who has followed either the books or the movies I strongly recommend seeing this film before it leaves the silver screen. And to those who have avoided these thrillers all these years, I encourage you to give the movies a shot.

I think perhaps some have seen these films as cliche espionage. On the contrary this series is far beyond such simple regurgitation of old material. Robert Ludlum has given us a completely new take on spy material and Universal has stepped up and made these movies with more than James Bond in mind. The beginning (The Bourne Identity) was a brilliant combination of political mystery, action, love-story and the kung fu we all love. What made that movie so extraordinary was the depth of story and like depth of character. James Bond can often be so unbelievable that we start seeing the screen as a story. Jason Bourne gives us intelligent action while making us believe him every step of the way.

This new film goes far beyond the measures of the first, wrapping up the story while giving us hope for more in the future. This conclusion was so intertwined with the first two films that I was left dumbfounded at how everything worked out in the end. Bourne (Matt Damon) has remained incredibly true-to-character for how different the Bourne Ultimatum had to be. It was always known that Bourne would end up in the States to end what started with Treadstone, but there was no disappointment in how he ended the saga.

I had a lot of expectation going into the theatre with several things. For one, from the beginning I expected something between Bourne and Nicky (played by the beautiful Julia Styles). To my surprise something was there and at the same time nothing is there. Director Paul Greengrass has showed incredible control in not making this series cliche. Instead every move in the script has bearing with the overall plot and in cast in the shadow of the mind of Ludlum. Also, this movie has to wrap up how Bourne came to be without resurrecting dead characters. Greengrass has come to the rescue with an all-star cast that brings together the last few people who could tell Bourne who he was and return his memory to him. I lastly was anxious to see if this last film would truly be the last. I suspect there is a prelude in place for the future. There is clearly a back story with Bourne and one character in particular. Let us cross our fingers for more to come.


The cast for this movie has been well plotted as well. Introducing David Strathairn, Albert Finney, Scott Glenn and returning actors Joan Allen and Julia Styles this cast is complete with brilliant actors, each well placed and dialogged. I don't want to say that Jason Bourne is the new James Bond (though they have the same initials) because that would greatly underestimate the integrity of this new series. Bourne is here to stay regardless if these three movies are the last we'll see of Bourne or not. Whatever may come to be it is clear America loves Jason Bourne. At the moment The Bourne Ultimatum is number two at the box office for opening weekend and overall gross while sitting confidently at the top of IMDB's weekly polls.

Take this opportunity to see this movie before it leaves the big screen. I have already seen it twice and plan on going back before time runs out!

Posted in: on Tuesday, August 14, 2007 at at 4:25 PM