The Bourne Ultimatum

Reviewed by:
Pete Hammond

This may be the third (and possibly last) entry in The Bourne film series, but as Jason (Matt Damon) crisscrosses Europe and back to the USA in order to finally learn his true identity, it's clear this is more than a sequel—it's easily the best in the series. In fact, The Bourne Ultimatum is the best action picture in decades, a two-hour, high-tech chase around the world that surpasses everything that's come before it, including Oscar-winning classics like The French Connection and Bullitt. From the first frame to the last, this film never lets up, and one sequence tops another in making your jaw just drop. Paul Greengrass (who also did The Bourne Supremacy) has directed with great style and precision, leaving not an ounce of fat on it. As a character, Jason Bourne exudes the cool factor, and Damon plays him to perfection. Without giving too much plot away, JB comes out of hiding to contact a journalist (Paddy Considine), a man clearly unlocking some of the keys to the mystery of what happened to this wayward agent. When a U.S. government operative (David Strathairn playing it smooth and evil) gets wind of this, he enlists agent Pamela Landy (Joan Allen back again) to lead an effort to find him before word can get out of the real motivation for Bourne's "mission." With state-of-the-art editing and sound work, Greengrass sets a rhythm and pace that keeps us glued to the screen. Take all your bathroom breaks during the coming attractions or prepare to piss your pants. You won't be getting up during this one. If it's pure white-hot excitement you're looking for, Bourne is the ultimate summer movie destination.

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