As good as the film is as an action vehicle, it also critiques policies advanced since September 11, 2001, and is thus associated with the current U.S. administration (although the name “Bush” is never heard) and its battles with the CIA. In the film, the CIA’s Vosen approves of open-ended “black op’s” programs designed to lessen the “real danger” faced by the United States. Asked when those programs will end, he says, “It ends when we’ve won,” echoing the Bush administration’s oft-repeated view of the current war on terrorism.

“This isn’t what I signed up for,” Landy says later—effectively blowing the whistle on the secret programs by helping Bourne. Her sympathetic portrayal contrasts with Vosen’s steely cold villain.

Most disappointing is the implied parallel between Bourne, who volunteered to become an assassin, and those who volunteer to protect America today—our servicemen and women. “You wanted to serve,” Hirsch tells Bourne. “You’d do anything it takes to save American lives.”

“Look at what they make you give,” Bourne responds—an acknowledgement that he’s lost his humanity along the way. But what does that say about those who currently volunteer to serve and protect Americans? Are they being dehumanized through combat? The film’s answer seems clear—and presumptuous.

It’s no secret that spy thrillers often implicate the government, so in that sense, The Bourne Ultimatum is nothing new. But the political commentary, while cohesive with the storyline, pulls down the film with a heavy weight of topicality and accusations that echo the Joe Wilson/Valerie Plame scandal. The dwindling number of supporters of the current administration’s policies may be put off by the ending, but those opposed will be cheering as they watch the fictional parallels of real-life political enemies hand-cuffed and brought to justice.

The movie’s ultimatum is this: If you want the best action movie of the year, you’ll have to take the overt political commentary.

Questions or comments about this review? Contact Christian Hamaker at crosswalkchristian@earthlink.net.

CAUTIONS:

• Language/Profanity:  Lord’s name taken in vain multiple times; several profanities.
• Drugs/Alcohol:  None.
• Sex/Nudity:  Some kissing.
• Violence:  Bourne steals medicine and injects himself; flashbacks show a man being hooded and interrogated; punching; breaking of limbs; a man dies in hand-to-hand combat; guns are aimed and fired at people; cars drive off a bridge, off a parking deck, the wrong way down the highway, etc.; a woman drowns.