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Bookmark this pageThe Bourne Ultimatum (2007)
Director: Paul Greengrass
Synopsis
In the latest instalment of the espionage series, Jason Bourne hunts down his past in order to find out what the future holds. He travels through Moscow, Paris, London, Madrid, Tangiers and New York as he continues on his quest to find the real Jason Bourne, all the while trying to outmanoeuvre the scores of cops, federal officers and Interpol agents who would prefer him dead.
Movie review
From Time Out London
Confused, mistrustful and trying to keep a lid on the knee-jerk violence to which he is predisposed, Jason Bourne is a troubled secret agent for troubled times. This third part of the most satisfying action franchise of the decade finds Bourne (Matt Damon) still on the run, gradually remembering how US security forces reshaped him as a super-assassin while trying to avoid their continued efforts to neutralise him. Drawn into the open by a UK newspaper exposé, he’s tacitly aided by CIA insiders Pamela Landy (Joan Allen, looking stern in turtle-necks) and Nicky Parsons (Julia Stiles) while David Strathairn and Albert Finney take on ruthless bastard duties.
Paul Greengrass, director of ‘The Bourne Supremacy’ and ‘United 93’, remains ahead of the field in delivering gristly, handheld, relatively credible action reliant on whatever’s to hand rather than hi-tech gadgetry. (If you thought Bourne was bad-ass with a magazine, just see what he can do with a hardback…) The plot roves across the globe but the standout set piece takes place in our own Waterloo Station, making an exhilarating rat-run of a packed concourse that will have you peering uneasily at CCTV cameras and advertising hoardings on your next commute.
While the crunchy fights and unflagging pace ensure this delivers as genre spectacle – a car chase deservedly got a round of applause at the screening I attended – the muddy ethics also make for a pleasing contrast with standard-issue wham-bammery. The CIA’s instant, lethal access to any spot on the globe and tactics like rendition and ‘experimental interrogation’ provoke anxiety here, not pride, and Bourne’s own killings are followed not by a quip but a flush of shame.
Author: Ben Walters
Time Out London Issue 1930: August 15-21 2007
User reviews of this film
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- fluffy said...
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Posted on Aug 30 2007 13:40
Great film, if you enjoyed identity / supremacy then this will definately float your boat. Would probably be a bit hard to understand if you have not seen the two prequels to this film, and damn that cameraman, think he's had far to many to drink, and some of the stunts were a little over the top, but I still really enjoyed it though dont take your wife/girlfriend with you unless you are happy explaining the plot and whats going on, over and over again.
Still it was a great film. - Report as inappropriate
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- martyn fenton said...
- Posted on Aug 29 2007 16:17 The bourne ultimatum is the best spy film i have ever seen. I love spy films like james bond and mission impossible but the bourne films has something other films dont. It is an incredible film that gets you in the mood. when i first seen the trailer of the bourne supremacy it looked outstanding great scenes actors everything,i think the music is good because it is the write music and makes the film what it is. the car scene is spectacular the crashes and the action but after seeing that i thought it was the best film ever. I bought the dvd and watched it over and over i almost know every word in it but after that i didnt know there was a bourne identity so i watched it and thought it was great too. After that i was hoping and wishing there would be a new film and when i heard that the bourne ultimatum was comming out i jumped and was so excited. I watched the film and i think it is the best bourne film ever everything about it is magnificant. Im not a critic or a rater im 12years old and im a really really realy big fan of the films no one can like it more than me.
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- Nic said...
- Posted on Aug 29 2007 09:03 Good film, but too may assassins portrayed as Middle Eastern/Muslim type - OK, one in Morroco, but others not. Is this propoganda?
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- Lord Talbot said...
- Posted on Aug 28 2007 22:22 I liked it - so there!
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- Matt Damon said...
- Posted on Aug 28 2007 20:17 Its true, i have made this film amazing. I recommend you go and see it and push more cash into my pockets. P.S. Must see films 1+2 to fully appreciate the fabulous storyline. I RULE!!!
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- Johnny said...
- Posted on Aug 28 2007 18:55 Bourne is great, but the films bear very little resemblance to the books, where the enemy is Carlos the Jackal!!
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- spandex said...
- Posted on Aug 28 2007 17:42 film was rubissh and i loved it
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- Nick said...
- Posted on Aug 28 2007 16:55 Hey Frank, this one's for you!
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- JANE ! said...
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Posted on Aug 28 2007 16:27
HIYA !
im goin to see it tonight, cant wait i love the bourne films ! - Report as inappropriate
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- Karen said...
- Posted on Aug 28 2007 14:03 I wasn't sure about seeing this film but within 10 minutes of the film starting I was on the edge of my seat throughout the film. It was great and would recommend it to guys or girls.
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- John said...
- Posted on Aug 28 2007 12:39 Far too much background music -- the film would have been much better letting the actors,plus the story, do the work.I found the incessant score annoying and intrusive.
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- johnny knoxville said...
- Posted on Aug 27 2007 12:54 i love the bourne films all 3 are great but not better than jackass 1 & 2 go buy my film
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- Jon said...
- Posted on Aug 27 2007 12:04 I haven't seen it yet but I bet it will be amazingly buff and slagish
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- carol said...
- Posted on Aug 27 2007 11:32 I loved it. But dont sit near the front so much action it was untrue
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- Ian said...
- Posted on Aug 26 2007 17:54 Watched 1 & 2 on tv again last week before this one, Glad I did it was fantastic. maybe a bit too much free hand camera though, dont sit too near the front it will make your eyes bleed!!
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Cast & crew
Director: Paul Greengrass
Producer: Frank Marshall, Patrick Crowley, Paul L Sandberg
Cast: Matt Damon, Paddy Considine, Julia Stiles, Edgar Ramirez, Chris Cooper, Joan Allen, David Strathairn, Scott Glenn, Albert Finney full cast
Genre(s): Action/Adventure, Thrillers, Drama
Rated: 12A
Duration: 115 mins
UK Release: Aug 17 2007
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