The Bourne Ultimatum

by Aaron Helfferich · Published August 3, 2007

If the formula already works, don’t try to fix it. This seems to be the philosophy of the filmmakers behind the series of films based on the “Jason Bourne” novels by Robert Ludlum. After two equally entertaining films, the series hasn’t changed a thing. Now in its third installment, “The Bourne Ultimatum,” Jason Bourne is still a tired, troubled, and deeply emotional main character. Still being forced to use his unwanted powers, Bourne remains a threat to his own government, or at least to the conspirators behind the confidential project he is a product of. As it always is with the Bourne films, this complex story is glorified further with all the unrelenting fast-paced action sequences and non-stop thrills that we have come to expect.

“The Bourne Ultimatum” continues directly upon the story outlined by the first two films. Suffering from amnesia, Jason Bourne has forgotten his past, but his ability to disarm anyone within seconds seems to emit like second nature. Still, we follow Bourne’s emotional state driven by the knowledge of a past that he is desperately trying to regain. To add to his troubles, there are the government agents who want him dead. Finally, Bourne may be getting exactly what he needs in order to take them down: his memory.

When looking back at all that drives this character, we nearly forget it is entirely constructed and embodied within a dynamite performance by Matt Damon. As if it wasn’t already performance driven, Joan Allen (The Notebook) and David Strathairn (Good Night, and Good Luck) provide two very charismatically conflicting performances as the two government directors butting heads on how to deal with Jason Bourne. Writers Tony Gilroy, Scott Burns, and George Nolfi have given their characters so much influencing direction that they perform as the film’s storytellers on a much higher level than the action.

As if they were taking tips from their main character, the writers of “Ultimatum” also seem to be using everything at hand to tell their story. The writers stop at nothing to let an audience try to decipher Bourne’s thought process as it unfolds on the screen. Using this to build up to their action sequences, we are given an even bigger insight on how clever Bourne can really be, and how surprising the outcome can be within the action. In a way, it works nicely since they nearly force you to believe he can get up from a wreckage of countless totaled cars without even limping away.

Within all qualities, the Bourne series has come to a miraculous closure with an ultimatum of clever storytelling, intelligently designed action sequences, and truly believable performances. There may still be that artistic, but sometimes chaotic camera work adored by director Paul Greengrass, but it is something that adds to the incomparable grittiness of the Bourne series.

The series itself has remained a landmark in filmmaking for its technical integrity. To top it off, it is still an intelligent and emotionally entertaining thriller you wont soon forget. This is some of the most clever and creative writing in the mainstream films of today. There are very few ways to make something standout as much as this film. Jason Bourne always finds a way.