Bourne Again, Again: A slight step down from 'Supremacy' but still good

Rating: 7/10 (12 September 2008)

Here we have the third film in the Bourne series, which is also the second of the films to have been directed by Paul Greengrass. Matt Damon returns as Jason Bourne, this time evading CIA assassins once again while trying to uncover the secrets of his past.
The cast is good as usual, with a few holdovers from the previous film including Damon, Joan Allen & Julia Stiles. David Strathairn steps into the role of the latest guy who's out get Bourne and he does a decent job, though I much preferred Brian Cox. There are a few other noticeable names in smaller roles as well, including Scott Glenn, Paddy Considine & Albert Finney.
The script is packed with the same brand of action that made the first two films in the series noteworthy. While a different approach would have been refreshing it was nevertheless satisfying to see Bourne in pursuit of the secrets that truly made him who he is.
The direction by Paul Greengrass is very close to that of the previous film. There is a real uniformity between this film and "The Bourne Supremacy". I would have welcomed a bit of a change but for those who enjoyed the style of the second film this one is more of the same in terms of direction, editing, music and so on.
I can't quite see why this is the highest rated of the three Bourne films to date, though. I prefer it to "The Bourne Identity" but it's a bit too similar to "The Bourne Supremacy" for its own good. That being said, if all you're looking for is more of the same then I doubt that you'll be disappointed.