Gateway

Issue date: 8/7/07 Section: Arts & Leisure

Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) travels the world to search for his identity while staying one step ahead of the CIA in The Bourne Ultimatum, which opened in theaters Aug. 3. [Click to enlarge]

The Bourne Ultimatum topped the box office with $70.2 in its opening weekend. The film earned the best opening for an August movie ever. [Click to enlarge]

In The Bourne Ultimatum, the third installment of the Bourne films based on Robert Ludlum's novels of the same name, Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) once again brings us on a journey to answer the question: "Who am I?"

Already on the run through two movies, it's no surprise that the amnesia-stricken former undercover CIA assassin is once again being chased by his former employers. Hot on his trail is a familiar face, Pamela Landy (Joan Allen), an internal investigator for the CIA, joined by new additions Noah Vosen (David Strathairn), head of the covert wing, and Ezra Kramer (Scott Glenn), director of the agency.

But, not to be undermined, Bourne also does some of the chasing himself. Still searching for his true identity while avoiding capture, he is always being a step ahead of the agency and smarter than any surveillance trick they use to try and stop him.

The Bourne Ultimatum is two hours of a non-stop adrenaline rush that only a five-hour energy shot could match. Director Paul Greengrass's patented documentary, over-the-shoulder style camera work only adds to the detail and truly tries to get the audience involved.

Even though it works as an exciting film, The Bourne Ultimatum proves to be a disappointment. Greengrass's formula is obvious. Once again, everyone has a cell phone and every cell phone is bugged while Nicky Parsons (Julia Stiles) returns for the third time without any reason other than to provide eye candy.

After five years in the making, finding an answer to the trilogy-long question of "who is Jason Bourne?" was marketed as the big pay off in this final installment. Instead, Greengrass falls back on cliche plot turns and gives us a predictable ending.

If you are looking for a movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat or a reason to oogle Matt Damon, than this is the movie you've been looking for. However, if you were expecting a satisfying film with a surprising ending, you'd be better off trying to find something else.



Grade: B

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