The third in the series of the Bourne films, THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM has Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) discovering his real name and what actually happened.  THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM is well paced with director Paul Greengrass (UNITED 93, THE BOURNE SUPREMACY) capturing the feel of the Robert Ludlum spy novels.  An action thriller with genuine suspense, Greengrass keeps his film easily comprehensible and gripping at the same time.  And the female element (Julia Styles) is kept to a minimum.

Greengrass’ film contains Hitchcockian touches.  Whether intentional or not, I would like to think Greengrass is an admirer of the Master of Suspense.  At the film start, Jason Bourne tracks and protects Simon Ross (Paddy Considine).  To everyone’s surprise, he is killed off after 10 minutes just as the Janet Leigh character was stabbed in the shower scene in Hitchcock’s PSYCHO.  Just as Hitchcock showed how difficult it was to kill another human being in TORN CURTAIN – Paul Newman had to drag a spy with the help of a woman to the stove to gas him - Bourne spends an equivalent amount of time fighting hitman, Desh (Joey Ansah) before strangling him to death.  A few scenes show people through the back window of a car as seen several times in the opening scenes of TOPAZ.  Still Greengrass leaves an imprint as to his own unique style of quick cuts, mixed speeds and hand held camera.  His film is a worthy combination of suspense and action scenes.

Of the actors, Joan Allen and David Strathairn steal the show as Noah and Pam, (good boss, bad boss) high officials of the CIA with differing ideals on getting the job done.  Noah is the efficiency machine gone awry.  His words (example:  People, we have a situation) that always address the entire staff are genuinely disturbing as they are funny.

The climax works in two ways.  The puzzle is resolved with a high octane segment brilliantly executed.  As a spy film, Bourne takes the audience to the exotic locations of London, Tangiers, Madrid, Moscow among others. 

THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM proves that Brit director Paul Greengrass is a talent to be reckoned with.  From his BLOODY SUNDAY (which I helped program into the British film week, TORONTO BRITPICS in Toronto some 15 years back) to the acclaimed UNITED 93, he has masterfully weaved his docu-drama style into Hollywood commercial filmmaking with excellent results.  THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM together with LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD prove that sequels can still rule!

People - Go see THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM!