Unrelenting action and gritty realism effectively punctuate a superb series

Rating: 9/10 (15 August 2007)

"The Bourne Ultimatum" eagerly assumes its position as not just the best in the trilogy of super CIA assassin Jason Bourne's search for his identity, but it's also hands down the best action film of the year.
Just as with the previous two installments, Bourne (Matt Damon) continues to trot around the globe as he attempts to weave snippets of his memory to determine his true identity and how he is what he is. But a covert operation will stop at nothing to make sure Bourne doesn't know the truth, and will go even as far as eliminating him altogether.
Director Paul Greengrass ("The Bourne Supremacy," "United 93") brings once more to the screen what made the first two films successful - doses of action that never lets up. From the chase scenes in the Waterloo to the climactic car chase scenes in New York, the stunts, which have been one of the main selling points of the series, do not disappoint. Here is an unrelenting adrenalin rush with the auteur's trademark gritty naturalism - the apparent abhorrence for Steadicam, rapid cuts, and unorthodox framing of subjects.
Damon brings believability to his character of the highly skilled but troubled Bourne. He provides the obligatory machismo that renders him believable as one who is capable of doing what he does, while not lacking the required emotional depth to provide the human drama of his persona. Returning cast members Julia Stiles and Joan Allen give a solid support for the main character, while newcomer David Strathairn as a CIA official works as the new chief villain, nicely stepping in the shoes vacated by Brian Cox from "The Bourne Supremacy."
Ultimately, Bourne gets his answers and audiences will finally breathe a sigh of relief. Finally our hero gets what he's due. Yet there's that lingering disappointment that it may be the last we see of him.