“You really don’t remember, do you?”
These very words have created the foundation for the Bourne trilogy — the premise of Jason Bourne not being able to recall his past… and as a result taking us on a dangerous joyride across the world as he mows down his enemy assasins one-by-one while trying to uncover the truth about his past. 
This most recent installment of the Jason Bourne series, The Bourne Ultimatum is the best of the three films. There are a number of reasons as to why, so I’ve broken it down as follows:
Dialogue. Born from this movie (pardon the pun) should be a new college drinking game – everytime Matt Damon speaks in this movie, everbody must drink. Never has a movie been so good with so little dialogue. The action and cinematography do all the speaking in this one. The character arc for Jason Bourne doesn’t play to a lot of chit-chat, and that’s definitely apparent this time around.
Cinematography. Any Google search of “Bourne Ultimatum reviews” will probably yield a number of opinionated posts about the camera work in the film – with the reaction being relatively split down the middle regarding the shakey shots and unorthodox shooting angles. I believe the shooting style moves the movie along, and helps build tension when it needs to be there.
Sound. Another key ingredient to the success of this movie. So good that you don’t notice it — it’s natural. The sound and musical score in The Bourne Ultimatum allows this movie to ooze with tension and high drama. It’s what lends to the high energy tempo of the movie, accompanying the action in a very effective, but not forced, way.
Action Scenes. The Bourne series is already notorious for authentic fight scenes and memorable stunts. And this movie is no exception. In fact, The Bourne Ultimatum easily surpasses the first two installments with fights and stunts that will blow you away. Especially of note is a fight scene that is so well-produced that even Jet Li would be taking notes. The stunts become a signature of this movie, with endless car crashes and shattered glass.
Supporting Actors. The cherry on the Sunday, indeed. This trilogy has been blessed with the best of the best, starting with Chris Cooper & Brian Cox in The Bourne Identity, Cox and Joan Allen in The Bourne Supremacy, and now Allen and David Strathairn in this movie. All the aforementioned thespians drive home their performances, using the little screen time they have to punctuate the storyline with their character’s very complex CIA roles.
If in fact The Bourne Ultimatum is the final movie for this successful franchise, then it goes out on the highest of notes. Very seldom is there a movie that I feel I must see on it’s opening weekend, but I knew that I had to see The Bourne Ultimatum on opening night.
Let The Bourne Ultimatum serve as an ultimatum of its own to movie goers everywhere — see it… or else!
Grade: A
