The Bourne Ultimatum

This summer, it looks like Hollywood is saving the best for the last. After a lacklustre and disappointing start with Spider-man 3(and also Pirates of the Caribbean 3, if one was to go by the reviews), the season has gradually gotten better with much more entertaining films like Die Hard 4 and Transformers released in the last few weeks. The Bourne Ultimatum keeps up the trend. Tautly paced with spectacular action, Jason Bourne's third outing is easily the best of the 2007 summer blockbusters (I can almost imagine Baradwaj Rangan's tagline for his review of the movie if and when it comes - Bourne Again!).

The movie is just one long chase sequence that never loses momentum. From the sequence where Bourne tries to get the reporter safely out of the train station, the film never lets up as it gets Bourne on the run(either after something/someone or with someone after him) in a variety of exotic locations. And its not a chase without a destination either since each of Bourne's stops gets him a little bit closer to finally knowing who he really is. In that way, the entire film is one big jigzaw puzzle with the puzzle being Bourne's past.

The movie has some fantastic chase sequences with two in particular, the aforementioned one in the train station and a chase on foot on rooftops in Morocco, being spectacular. Though the results of the chases are pretty clear(and not just Bourne's fate. Its pretty easy to guess the fates of the people he is trying to save too) director Greengrass manages to film them in a very suspenseful manner (he did the same thing in his previous film, United 93. We knew exactly how the film was going to end but he still generated a lot of suspense and tension). And the chases are not just shootouts or explosions either. They are actually well thought-out and intricately choreographed and small touches(like when Bourne grabs a cloth during the chase on the Moroccan rooftops for a very clever use) elevate them above the usual chase sequences. The car chase is also staged very well but Bourne walking off after all the hits he - and his car - gets takes a bit of the shine off of it.

The film just couldn't have a better ending. We know what's coming but the build-up and the way the final shot is picturized are superb and make us exit the theater with a big smile on our lips.

Matt Damon plays Bourne just right - as a reluctant action hero. He kills enough people and even has a few one-liners and comebacks but does it all with an impassive face that conveys that he isn't really having fun. Joan Allen and Julia Stiles are on his side this time. The former brings her usual dignity to the role while the latter has more screen time but spends most of it on the run(there is a suggestion of some past between her and Bourne since she asks "You don't remember me, do you?" but it is never touched upon later).

The tagline of the movie is "This summer, Bourne comes home". Its a wonderful homecoming!