The Bourne Ultimatum

The Bourne Ultimatum carries on where The Bourne Supremacy left off. Jason Bourne is being hunted by the CIA as he tries to discover his true identity and how he came to be.. Jason Bourne.

Matt Damon reprises his role as the stoic Jason Bourne, with Julia Stiles and Joan Allen returning for the final showdown.

Returning for a second injection of adrenaline is Paul Greengrass who did such a great job with Bourne Supremacy that there was really no other choice for Director.

Before I delve into an in depth look at the film and dazzle you with my analysis, let me state that The Bourne Ultimatum does not follow the book at all. There is no connection with the third book in the series. This is arguably where the film falls short.

At the beginning of the film we are thrust straight back into the action as if we had never left it, Jason Bourne is still in Moscow and injured from his encounter with the latest CIA operative or 'asset'. He limps away from the scene and then moves onto his next destination.

The film follows very much the same pattern or flow as the second film, Bourne is hunted and confronted several times by another covert part of the CIA that sends inept foot soldiers and talented assassins to block him from the truth behind his initiation and creation as a killer.

There are crazy car chases with Bourne using his car to ram his way through the enemies blockades, insanely frantic and almost nauseatingly quick fights in which Bourne uses his trademark mixed martial arts to best his enemies, and of course a damsel in distress.

I left the cinema feeling a little cheated, here was another action film with cool fighting, mad-crazy stunts and inventive camera work, but.... it was the same film as Bourne Supremacy but less original, way too shaky camera-work and a rather disappointing ending.

The active camera motion that made you feel like you were in the middle of the action in the first two films was just too quick in this film and too hard to follow even on the big screen. Bourne's stony countenance and lack of dialog, (he only seemed to say a couple of words throughout the whole film) wasn't enough to build the character further.

The more I think about this film the more disappointed I become which is always the sign of a mediocre showing. There is no mistaking that this was a Bourne film and it was very well put together - great soundtrack, exciting stunts and incredible lighting. However this being said it was hollow and didn't have enough to warrant more than an average mark.

In conclusion, an entertaining and highly professionally crafted action film that was let down by an unoriginal theme and an over reliance on frantic, often confusing action sequences.