Damon Dynamic in Best of Bourne.

Rating: 9/10 (6 August 2007)

This review contains NO SPOILERS for this movie - "The Bourne Ultimatum". There are some SPOILERS for "The Bourne Identity" and "The Bourne Supremacy".
Firstly if you're a fan of Robert Ludlum's books don't look to the movies as a comparison. The movies follow an entirely different plot through the entire series and there is no continuity between them.
The Bourne Identity took us through Bourne's first ventures into self-discovery after waking up on a trawler without any idea who he was. The end of the story left him with his girlfriend (played by Franke Potente) romantically reuniting at her beach front store.
"Identity" was a defining thriller because it had been a long time since we'd seen a credible "secret agent" with a serious thriller tone that had a fulfilling plot and glut of fulfilling action sequences. Add to that a series of cameo characters (such as Children of Men's Clive Owen) and "Identity" had it all and rightfully has become a fondly remembered example of the genre. 8/10
The first sequel - "The Bourne Supremacy" - took us directly from the end of "Identity" where very soon Bourne's girlfriend is shot dead and Bourne goes on the hunt for revenge and carries out his threat that he issued in "Identity" that if the CIA unit that created him ever came after him he would bring the fight back to their door.
"Supremacy" desperately seemed to lack any actual "support" from the supporting cast. Whilst Damon is an accomplished actor one man rarely if ever holds an entire movie. A Russian speaking Karl Urban did little to present a charismatic bad guy.
"Supremacy" disappointed in terms of the action sequences and in terms of a fully developed plot. The lack of any role for a supporting cast almost rendered "Supremacy" a thorough waste of time. There were, however, some bright moments, and some character development.
6/10
In watching "Supremacy" in fact it was my initial feeling that I had watched a movie that was simply intended as a bridge to another sequel. I feel I was right for more reasons than I could imagine but you'll have to see all three films to know what I mean.
Cue the second sequel or "Threequel"  a popular trend this year - "The Bourne Ultimatum".
I would recommend anyone thinking of seeing "Ultimatum" to watch or re-watch both "Identity" but particularly "Supremacy" as everything will make more sense  particularly, and I think I can say this without spoiling anything, the sequence in New York City.
As is now expected with a "Bourne movie" one is treated to vistas of cities across the world. It has a Bond-esquire feeling if only for the fact that we are repeatedly treated to the sounds and sights of spectacular cities and magnificent vistas.
This time out the journey feels much more natural and plot driven and it takes us back to the roller-coaster feeling we had in "Identity".
Matt Damon is superb throughout  his acting chops have considerably improved over the past decade or so since we saw him in the 2002 release of "The Bourne Identity".
In "Ultimatum" Bourne is fearsome, awesome, and devastating. It no longer feels like it's just a character  this time Bourne has a persona  and he can be petrifying with every carefully choreographed movement.
Julia Stiles has had a checkered career thus far  granted she's only 26 now in 2007. Sometimes Julia Stiles reminds me of a "Star Trek" holographic character  but one with only two or three programmed personas.
Stiles has perfected and should have maybe patented the character I would call "What-ev-r"  or "Valley girl with bad attitude". As for her other setting - she has always seemed to work to great perfection that character of "Scared bunny rabbit" or "Deer in the headlights". There is, I suppose a third, but to be kind to Ms Stiles - Let's quickly skip over her performances as "Reluctant White Urban Dance Princess".
So  I'm writing about Julia Stiles, the actor, as 'Nicky Parsons" and perhaps I should have always limited myself to that.
Here in "Ultimatum", Stiles seems to have found a way to rewrite her own programming and has come up with a more than acceptable actress. She's not a Charlize Theron or a Nicole Kidman yet  but her improvements are unmistakable. Stiles seems smart and genuine even in this limited role.
To summarize, This is by far the best of the Bourne movie series. You need to have seen the others to understand the whole story  but this is a definite high point in this franchise that can be enjoyed stand-alone.
Matt Damon deserves acclaim for a truly memorable performance.
The action sequences will leave you breathless, the story is intense and reminiscent of one of the Harrison Ford "Jack Ryan" movies, and the trademark shaky camera now seems successful in conveying the organic quality that was intended.
"Identity" felt like it succeeded on youthful exuberance taking it to the very edge. "Supremacy" felt like a dutiful but near-blind old workhorse, willing but unable to find it's true path. "Ultimatum" feels like a truly purposeful and yet unrestrained stallion of a thriller.
See it in the theatre  it's well worth it for such a great ride.
9/10
Finally some notes on awards.
Award worthy performances for supporting cast come from Joan Allen reprising her role as "Pamela Landy" and the excellent Albert Finney as "Dr Albert Hirsch".
Notably, 71-year-old Finney has never won an Oscar, despite being nominated 5 times (most notably as supporting actor for 2001's "Erin Brokovich" and for leading actor in the 1974 production of "Murder on the Orient Express"). It's about time, methinks.