The best Bourne yet...!

Rating: 10/10 (16 August 2007)

First off, let me get two things clear: 1) I hate "shakycam" 2) I love the Bourne trilogy
The Bourne Ultimatum is, without doubt, the best of the Bourne trilogy. It's got the best storyline, and is the first Greengrass directed Bourne that I've actually got on with from the cinematography angle. (i.e. even I forgave the shakycam in this film)
Without giving too much away, as everyone should go and see this film, the storyline of Ultimatum entwines very closely with that of Bourne Supremacy. It is important to see the films in the correct order, as otherwise you won't get the best out of Ultimatum. There are also a couple of hints back to Bourne Identity (in story as well as flashbacks).
Matt Damon's acting in this instalment is possibly his best yet in a Bourne film, he really has made Bourne his own character and it is now impossible to think of any other actor playing this role. However, in Ultimatum, Damon's character almost takes a back seat comapared to his excellent supporting cast, primarily the two leading ladies...
Julia Stiles is just fabulous; her role is much increased in Ultimatum, as it has needed to be since the start. Her character, Nicky, travels a long, emotional journey through Ultimatum, and while a lot is left to the viewers imagination, Stiles manages to pull of her trademark "looks" to tell far more than is ever said - in more than one scene with Damon she says more with her eyes and expressions than she does with her mouth - in fact, she's silent for quite a lot of her time in the film!
Joan Allen is back as Pamela Landy - the CIA boss who was trying to kill Bourne in Supremacy. We find out a lot about Landy in this film, a lot of it good, and ultimately we're reminded that she, at the end of Supremacy, is the good girl in the CIA...
Ultimatum is being touted as being the last in the Bourne trilogy, however there's ample room for a fourth film to be made in this franchise - the story is there to be exploited, with Jason Bourne, Nicky Parsons and Pamela Landy all surviving Ultimatum. The link for a fourth film is also there - the final scenes of Ultimatum set this up perfectly.
I do hope they decide to make Bourne Legacy!