One of the biggest hits of 2007 with both audiences (over $225 million at the box office) and critics alike finally hits DVD.

The Bourne Ultimatum is the third and final (at least according to the star, director and creators) chapter of the Bourne saga.  This film starts off right where the second one left off with Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) still searching for clues to who he is and where he came from.  He comes in contact with a reporter named Simon Ross (Paddy Considine) who has been writing stories about him and the Treadstone project.  Ross is being followed by the CIA after coming into some highly classified material from a mysterious source.  After Ross is assassinated, Bourne finds out who this mysterious contact is and realizes he holds the key to Bourne’s past.

With the CIA in hot pursuit, headed up by Deputy Director Noah Vosen (David Strathairn) who has his own reasons for taking Bourne out, Bourne uses some surprising new allies including CIA operatives Nicky Parsons (Julia Stiles) and Pamela Landy (Joan Allen) to track down his past.

CRITIQUE

The Bourne Ultimatum is a wall-to-wall action-packed, energetic chase movie that grabs you tightly from the get-go and never lets up.  You will literally feel like you’re with Bourne through this entire film as director Paul Greengrass (using mostly handhelds) keeps the intense action almost constantly with the main character throughout.  There are some breathtaking sequences that are simply stunning and the story is sharp, intelligent and perfectly executed.  This is an action film with brains, grit and power.

There is so much talent involved in the film from the entire cast through the whole crew that the film rises to a new level never seen in the action genre before (not even the two prior Bourne films).  Greengrass should be considered for a Best Director nomination for his work here.  He manages to take a genre that seemed so dead and routine since around the original Matrix film (so many action films upon action films go about the execution in the same way) and flip it on its head and actually create an experience that seems totally new and riveting.

The way the film builds and builds tension until the ultimate breaking point, the use of handhelds to create shots and experiences like no other, and the decision to stay right with the main character and not resort to any distractions like so many other action films do (goofy sidekick, trickery, etc.) are just some of the pieces that make this an action film like no other.  This is a film that deserves a Best Picture nomination and even though it’s on almost every critics’ top ten of the year, since it’s a genre film it probably won’t make the cut (which is something the Academy needs to change).

The cast is impeccable from top to bottom.  Matt Damon who shocked everyone in the first film in showing that he could be an action star now commands every ounce of the character.  He manages to completely engage and dominate the screen without even speaking for a majority of the film.  You will feel completely invested in Bourne and that is in no small measure the abilities of Damon.  He is a bona-fide movie star that can carry an action franchise all by himself (who would have thought that in the weeks before the first Bourne came out?).

The supporting cast is incredible here with returning players Joan Allen and Julia Stiles delivering solid turns and two big newcomers in David Strathairn and Albert Finney infusing the film with surprising energy and verve.  Strathairn has always been one of my favorite actors so it was great to see him get such a big role in such a huge film and he nails every scene perfectly.

THE VIDEO

The film looks outstanding and given the shaky, handheld style that is really a miracle.  There truly isn’t a flaw throughout this entire 2.40:1 anamorphic transfer.

THE AUDIO

The Bourne Ultimatum is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and the presentation is impeccable and impressive.  It is perfectly balanced throughout with all the dialogue coming through crystal clear even in the midst of huge action scenes and the subwoofers get a big workout during all the action.

THE EXTRAS

There is an Audio Commentary Track featuring director Paul Greengrass which is informative as he gets into most of the aspects and hardships of filming the movie but he has a very dry and verbatim tone that is a little boring.  He also doesn’t get into a whole lot of side stories or anything.  And since this was an incredibly long and hard shoot going from location to location and it seems like everyone thought it was chaotic and messy, it would seem there would be a lot more to talk about.

There is also a collection of Deleted Scenes covering about 15 minutes of footage that are worth a look but are obvious as to why they were not included.

There is a 5-part making of featurette called Man on the Move: Jason Bourne which runs about a half hour and adequately gives you a feel for the shoot and has some nice behind-the-scenes footage.  This one is worth a look.

Then there are 4 other featurettes that cover certain scenes in the film like the rooftop chase, the big fight scene, the car chase, and the chase through New York.  They all run around 5 minutes and give you a great sense of how Greengrass works a set piece and runs his cast and crew as well as the trials that Matt Damon goes through to make Bourne such a believable bad ass.  All of these are worth watching.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The Bourne Ultimatum is the best of a riveting, intelligent action trilogy that features award-worthy acting and directing that help the film rise above the genre and become an instant classic.  The disc has a perfect transfer, amazing audio, and some interesting and entertaining extras.  This is a must own for all.