You go to the movie theater to escape. My simple philosophy is that I don’t want to think about anything during a movie. If I accomplish this, chances are the flick was damn good. “The Bourne Ultimatum” out today in theaters, is damn good.
In fact, it might be one of the best action movies I’ve ever seen.
Yes, that’s a big statement and yes, I’m a fan of the first two in the series, but this movie is very, very entertaining.
It’s sharp, witty and full of non-dumbed down dialogue and enough crazy, totally unrealistic chase and fights scenes to fulfill any action movie die-hard. It’s also filmed with several edgy, quick cutting shots that keep the action at “street level” and take you directly into the heart of a scene.
Having settled certain scores and gathered basic data on himself in "Supremacy" three years ago, Bourne (Matt Damon) is determined to rebuild his memory this time around. It’s rumored to be the final in the series (and should be), and while you’ll be a bit lost if you haven’t seen the first two, it’s not entirely necessary.
Damon joins returning cast members Julia Stiles and Joan Allen and new additions David Strathairn, Paddy Considine and Edgar Ramirez. Damon’s character has but one objective here, to go back to the beginning and find out who he was. He travels from Moscow, Paris, Madrid and London to Tangier and New York City on this quest. The movie was shot in Morocco, Spain, France, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The plot’s a bit more basic than “Supremacy,” yet it’s highly fine-tuned, intense and creative. What I love about this series is the higher brow nature. At its heart, the Bourne flicks are all action but they have souls and enough drama to keep you thinking. This isn’t Jack Bauer on the big screen.
“The Bourne Ultimatum” portrays work pressures and corruption through its characters at the CIA, media issues, lost love and romantic tension through Bourne and international travel with its fantastic shots and amazing sets.
Yet, at its core this is an action movie. Crazy, wild fight scenes, huge car chases and thrilling rooftop hunts.
I’ve thought, for a while now, that all movies should get released on every format at the same time, but this one is definitely one to see on the Ultrascreen. Grab popcorn, a drink and sit back for an hour and 51 minutes of fun.
A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.
He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.
Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.
He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.
He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.
