Bourne Again

[migrated from myspace blog]

Wow! At the end of The Bourne Ultimatum, viewers just need to stop and take a deep breath. Why? Because they've just spend 111 minutes forgetting to breathe. Bourne 3 is a wholly worthy conclusion to Jason Bourne's search for his past. It could arguably even be the best of the three movies, although Identity will probably always be my favorite (Franka Potente was a huge loss).

All the best elements of the other two movies are present yet again. Real chases shot in real, exotic locations. No obvious CGI is used, and some of the stunts with motorcycles and cars are truly incredible. Bourne is more clever than ever in evading his pursuers, and tracking the information he believes will free him from his past. Matt Damon proved his acting chops to the world 10 years ago as Will Hunting, and he once again shows why he deserves that respect in what will surely be his defining roles for years to come. Also, the casting of secondary roles are also terrific, including Paddy Considine as a journalist for UK's The Guardian newspaper, asking the question, "Who is Jason Bourne?", and Albert Finney, who is more of a presence than a mere actor.

Ultimatum contains a large number of references to Identity, both in recycled footage played back as memories, and in an ending that teasingly brings the trilogy full circle. (Also, a musical score that recognizable from it's very first note as unmistakable Bourne.) Yet, not every question has an answer explicitly spelled out for us. Nikki and Bourne are the only two characters to make it from the first movie into the third, but questions remain as to the exact role she played in Jason's past. This is a franchise that any fan really must hate to see end (if in fact this is it). Bourne is one of those characters that we just want to live on in some form (graphic novels?), because there will always be more questions worth exploring, as long as good writers are at the helm.