The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)

Going into The Bourne Ultimatum i had not seen any of the previous films. However saying that i couldn't help but build up an idea of the films in my mind. The mere mention of Matt Damon can't help but bring visions of wooden acting and mindless action, a stereotype yes. My idea of the Bourne series was "lots of chase scenes"...and yes, there was many chase scenes, but hell, i loved it.

Yes thats right. I was pleasantly suprised. The action was tense and gripping, and Matt Damon pulls in a pretty solid performance. The performances are one of the key factors of this movie, for a genre that is not particually deep in meaning, the acting performances here really add depth and give it a little more weight and credibility. David Strathairn is fantastic as sleasy Noah Vosen, who is on the search for Bourne. Paddy Considine pulls in a great performance also, and it is great to see him getting more big profile work (for another great Paddy Considine performance i also recomend "Dead Man's Shoes").

What really sold it for me was the lack of need to "suspend my disbelief", unlike fellow summer blockbuster Live Free Or Die Hard, Bourne seemed on a whole all in the context of reality and most of the action seemed possible. Matt Damon really captures this character and makes oyu feel for him. This being his highest profile performance since The Departed, he really shines here, as i felt he was out performed by leonardo dicaprio in the departed.

On the negative side, the camera shots during fight scenes are way too jumpy & jerky, not allowing for the fights to shine as much as they should. However though i disagree with choice of shooting methods during these scenes, the fights themselves are very well performed and planned out. I would say there are 2 key action scenes, Bourne guiding Simon (Paddy Considine) through the train station and the chase in madrid, both are engaging and thrilling. They are each quite long scenes and are given time to fully devolpe and are not rushed therefore allowing the suspension to build without rushing it or sacrificing qaulity.

All in all, this is at its heart a cat and mouse movie, but as far as they go, this is brilliant. Engaging action and qaulity performances make for what was for me personally, one of hte most thrilling and gripping cinema going experiences. Seeing it on the big screen may be a big part of its appeal for me i guess, it is one of those films that you have to see on the big screen really. Bourne Ultimatum for me, is as it stands, my second favourite film of 2007, below This Is England.