THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM
An electrifying spy thriller with serious moral complications.
Should You Watch It?
THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM delivers a four-star action experience. Its chase scenes are terrific, and its relentless spy-thriller energy produces plenty of excitement. The film also attempts a moral story about guilt, apology, repentance and forgiveness.
But the cost is high. The violence is intense, the language is substantial, and the film presents the United States government—especially the CIA—as the root of evil, or nearly so. Its humanist answer to guilt is also incomplete: Jason Bourne’s search for identity seems to relieve his anguish, while the deeper need for redemption fades.
If you are a discerning adult who can weigh those concerns, this is worth seeing for its action and moral questions. For children and young teens, choose something else.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESJason Bourne is a former CIA assassin without a memory. As he searches around the world for the truth about his identity and his past, the CIA hunts him and eliminates people who might help him.
Pam, a top CIA operative, wrestles with her conscience while trying to change the agency. Bourne must follow a trail of dangerous leads while evading agents determined to kill him.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this is an excellent action thriller despite some flaws. The chase scenes are terrific, and the film is packed with high-octane action that should draw oohs, aahs and cheers. The experience is energetic and exciting.
The fights sometimes strain credulity. Bourne repeatedly defeats younger, tougher opponents and even entire groups of CIA agents, making parts of the plot incredibly improbable. The action can also become so intense that the plot points are not placed well enough to sustain complete interest, and the movie lags at times.
The Worldview
The film attempts a moral worldview in an immoral world. Jason Bourne is trying to apologize to the families of the people he killed, and the story raises real questions about guilt, repentance and forgiveness. It also retains traditional American principles regarding law and justice.
At the same time, the film’s dominant message is that the United States government—or at least the bad actors within it—is the root of all evil. The CIA is presented as the villain, with the American government riddled with bad guys. A kinder, more pacifist attitude is offered as the solution. The result is a self-hating, anarchistic critique of the United States, softened by Bourne’s moral struggle and the film’s concern for justice.
The movie could have developed a powerful account of human fallenness and the need for God’s forgiveness. Instead, Bourne’s discovery of his identity seems to solve his anguish, and the need for redemption recedes. Scripture gives the deeper diagnosis: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Attempt at a moral worldview in an immoral world with violent eye candy and humanist underpinnings, though the hero wants to apologize and repent, plus strong bashing of the United States with the villain being the CIA, the villains are stupid, the whole American government is riddled with bad guys, mitigated by some traditional American principles regarding law and justice; 5 obscenities and 8 profanities, but hero does not use any foul language; very strong action violence with numerous shootings, car crashes, bombs, beatings, fights, drownings, torture, beating women, with surprisingly little blood; kissing but no sex; no nudity; drinking; no noticeable smoking; and, stealing, lying, cheating, espionage, secrecy, computer hacking.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Bourne wants to apologize to the families of those he killed. What is the difference between apology, repentance and receiving forgiveness?
2 Corinthians 7:10 · 1 John 1:9The film presents powerful people acting without accountability. Why do law and justice matter, and how should leaders be held responsible?
Micah 6:8 · Romans 13:1–4Bourne searches for his identity to resolve his anguish. What makes a person’s identity secure when guilt and failure are part of the story?
Psalm 139:13–14 · 2 Corinthians 5:17The movie treats violence as exciting entertainment while also raising moral questions about it. How should Christians think about justice, revenge and loving enemies?
Romans 12:19–21 · Matthew 5:44The Final Word
THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM is a superb action thriller with terrific chases and worthwhile questions about guilt and forgiveness. Its intense violence, profanity and bleak view of government make it unsuitable for children and young teens. For discerning adults, the answer is WORTH THE TRIP — ADULTS ONLY. For a family-friendly alternative, see.
