The Bourne Ultimatum (12A)

Film

Thrillers

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Time Out rating:

<strong>Rating: </strong>4/5

User ratings:

<strong>Rating: </strong>5/5
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Time Out says

Mon Aug 13 2007

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.

96

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Release details

Rated:

12A

UK release:

Fri Aug 17, 2007

Duration:

115 mins

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Comments & ratings

Rated as: 5/5 (67 ratings)
  • A film of the year,beating all the dreary sequels and blockbusters and showing Bond how to do it by relegating him to the past.Key to success? Great documentary film-maker turned director spiced with politically topical themes and a choppy fast-paced editing style allied to a superb action-man actor,Damon Only don't do any more: otherwise dilution will occur.

    Technoguy Sun Jan 6 2008
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  • OMG!!!!! i cant believe that this was the last movie!!! it was absolutly fantastic!! matt damon plays jason bourne so well its not funny, he is like, the best actor i know

    eliesha Mon Nov 12 2007
    Rated as: 5/5
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  • A brilliant ending. It doesn't disappoint anyone who likes the Bourne films and have seen the others. I recommend this film and love it.

    Sam Fri Oct 12 2007
    Rated as: 5/5
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  • Having read all of Ludlum's Bourne books, this is the first one that made even a little sense, according to the plot of the story it was supposed to be taken from, but I was left a little dizzy with all the usual car chases and escapes to understand what the whole thing was all about. But, like I say, this is the best of the series, but there was so much more to the stories than car chases its too bad they couldn't have used some of the original story to tie the chase scenes together.

    Jayson Fri Oct 12 2007
    Rated as: 4/5
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  • Whoever thinks this film is anything less than a total achievement is full of S*^T. Get over yourselves... ot rocked.

    Eddo Thu Oct 11 2007
    Rated as: 5/5
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  • The pace was breathtaking,great camera shots.Waterloo Station fantastic action.Big brother hey! One thing though,never has any luggage when he travels no money,always has the same clothes neat and tidy,how does he do it.Overall brilliant,cinema cheered when he out foxed the CIA,bring it on Matt,would love No. 4 not sure where it could go. it

    Nick Sun Sep 30 2007
    Rated as: 5/5
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  • it was an amazing film, probably the best i've seen all year! i love all three of the films and this one was by far the best! i could watch it all day! loved it!!!!!

    kate Fri Sep 28 2007
    Rated as: 5/5
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  • ffffffffffffffff

    fffffffff Wed Sep 26 2007
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  • rubishdddddd

    fddddddddddddddddddddddddddd Wed Sep 26 2007
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  • a terrible film the worst in my life i even fell asleep zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

    caty Wed Sep 26 2007
    Rated as: 1/5
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