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Brace yourself for ‘Bourne Ultimatum’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Moviegoers can take the title “The Bourne Ultimatum” quite literally — it is maximum action, demanding of attention and, if you like spy movies, probably the film of the summer.
Granted, I like both of Matt Damon’s earlier “Bourne” movies. Like with the second film, “The Bourne Supremacy,” this one is directed by Brit Paul Greengrass, a most deserving Oscar nominee earlier this year for the gripping, you-are-there “United 93.”
He’s applied the same principles he used in “United” to “Ultimatum,” which officially debuts in theaters on Friday but also has late-night screenings available to the paying public on Thursday.
Get ready to hold onto your seat. The action is blistering, comes in orchestrated waves and culminates in what our spy Jason Bourne’s been after all along — the truth behind who he is, why he was a killer for U.S. intelligence and who’s responsible for everything that’s happened to him.
Of course, it would always help if a moviegoer had seen the first two movies, but enough information is parceled out that, not long into the movie, anyone should be able to discern what is happening and why.
As of Tuesday night, the film had a 94 percent approval rating on Rottentomatoes.com overall and 100 percent approval from “cream-of-the-crop” critics.
Here’s much of what fans will be talking about after “Ultimatum” opens:
The pacing: This film is frenetic and finely tuned. The action builds in ever increasing waves — foot races become motorcycle chases that become car chases — with welcome, time-to-breathe pauses between each. And they’re punctuated with background music of staccato violins and percussion that builds and builds, creating tension and complementing the action. The storyline also hops between a heady number of places — Moscow; Langley, Va.; Turin, Italy; Paris; London; New York, Madrid and Tangier, Morocco.
The fights: They’re plentiful and involve blistering hand-to-hand combat between Bourne and various police and espionage agents in several countries. The ultimate fisticuff fray occurs in Tangier.
The camera: The visuals are freewheeling with ample use of hand-held cameras. It can make a moviegoer dizzy. But while the action is frenzied, there is consistently just enough visual connection to realize exactly what is happening.
The cast: New faces include David Strathairn, Scott Glenn and Albert Finney as U.S. feds and Paddy Considine as a reporter for England’s The Guardian. Returning with Damon are Julia Stiles and Joan Allen.
(Click here to view photos from the premiere of “The Bourne Ultimatum.”)
Permalink | Comments (12) | Categories: Bob Longino
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By Zed
August 1, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this
If the fight/action scenes in this one are as hectic and chopped as the last one directed by Greengrass, I will be disappointed. The first Bourne movie had great fight scenes that were easy to keep up with. This element of the second movie (for me at least) was not well done. Hopefully this director has fixed the problems from the second film.
By Wes
August 1, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this
I thought it was just me, but I agree with Zed. The car chase in the tunnel in the second film was difficult to follow and disaappointing.
By Robert Ludlum Is Weeping
August 1, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this
I read the Bourne trilogy, and these movies bear no resemblance to the books. I loved those books.
That being said, as far as Hollywood goes, the first two flicks were awesome in their own right.
I recommend you read the books as well. You may recognize Jason Bourne, but the plot lines are a hundred times more rich and compelling.
By Steve
August 1, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this
the Bourne Identity was really good and the fight scenes were better but I thought the Bourne Supremacy was a better movie. Bourne is best when he is on his own. Plus, I don’t think anybody can play the Bourne role better than Matt Damon.
I am really looking forward to this movie because from what I am hearing this is the best one of them all. I can’t wait to see the fight scenes in this one!
By Tee
August 1, 2007 2:17 PM | Link to this
I haven’t seen an actor play a role made for me in a very long time since Pierce Bronson took on the Bond Role. However, Matt does an excellent job. The movies are great. My next obstacle is to read the books. The Director and Producers did an excellent Hollywood job. No complaints. Will we see another one?
By Tim McDaniel
August 2, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this
I too have read the books and I must say I like them and the movies. The books are incredible, with Supremacy taking place in the China Hong Kong area and the Ultimatum taking place mostly in France and Russia. It’s like 5 totally different stories.
By Kevin Thomas
August 2, 2007 2:25 PM | Link to this
The only semblance between the books and the movies are the names. The books are rediculously good. The movies are awsome in their own little series, they just cant be compared to the books, because it is literally comparing apples and oranges that just happen to have the same name. I cant wait for the Ultimatum Movie.
By Kevin Thomas
August 2, 2007 2:27 PM | Link to this
The only semblance between the books and the movies are the names. The books are rediculously good. The movies are awsome in their own little series, they just cant be compared to the books, because it is literally comparing apples and oranges that just happen to have the same name. I cant wait for the Ultimatum Movie.
By Kevin Thomas
August 2, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this
The only semblance between the books and the movies are the names. The books are rediculously good. The movies are awsome in their own little series, they just cant be compared to the books, because it is literally comparing apples and oranges that just happen to have the same name. I cant wait for the Ultimatum Movie.
By William
August 6, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this
I attended the 5:25pm showing at Arbor Place on Friday and it was great. I know the company has stated this the final movie, but if you watched closely at the end, the door was left open for another one. Bring it on.
By The Truth
August 6, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this
I saw it friday and really enjoyed it. It brought the whole experience full circle. You really got insight into his past.
I doubt these movies could ever compare with the books ( I haven’t had the pleasure of reading them) but they covered alot of ground in a short time on film. I think Matt is the only guy that could pull off Jason like he does. Great movie.
William, I thought they closed the door on this series. Did you see something I didn’t? Let me know what I missed. LOL
It seems they tried to make the last Bond film more in the mode of Bourne. More physical, tougher, not as suave.
By Sue
August 6, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this
Based on the reviews I’ve read and the comments I’ve heard, the camera style will either won’t bother you at all, or it will drive you nuts (or cause a full out seizure). In so many ways, I thought this was a great movie, but the shaky cam just ruined it for me. Too bad. I own (and really like) the other 2, but I can’t imagine spending one more dime to make myself physically sick again!