Blake Schwendiman's Blog and Blook

My regular readers already know the The Bourne Identity is my favorite movie of all time across all genres. You also know that the act of picking a favorite movie is very difficult for me, so actually saying that I have a favorite movie out loud (or writing it down) really challenges me. However, if I ever had to pick a movie that was the only movie I could ever watch again, it would be The Bourne Identity.

So, I have to admit that the sequels to The Bourne Identity have always made me a little nervous. I'm always really afraid that the studio is just looking to cook up another financial hit and is more interested in the bottom line than the film itself. In many cases the sequels (or prequels) damage the original story lines (Star Wars, The Matrix) in such a way that actually takes away from the original story.

Not so with The Bourne Ultimatum. This third installment of the Bourne series is a rare example of a great sequel. I liked the second installment, but it wasn't nearly as good as this one. The Bourne Ultimatum is better in almost all aspects: camera work, story line, timing and plot progression. It unfolds quickly and engages right from the start.

Without spoiling the movie, I will say that I loved the way that this installment is weaved into the timeline of The Bourne Supremacy. It took me by surprise, but when my brain figured out how it was all fitting together (which took a little while -- I'm not that smart) I felt like the writers were speaking directly to me because that's how I would have done it.

If you haven't seen The Bourne Ultimatum yet, click the link and buy your tickets. You won't be disappointed.