The Bourne Ultimatum

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What it’s about:

Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) is still on the run from the CIA and still doesn't know who he is. But after the murder of his girlfriend, Bourne decides to stop running and instead hunts down those who stole his identity. His journey leads him on another international goose chase all the while dodging bullets, evading operatives, crashing cars and just trying to stay alive.

What we thought:

As with the previous Bourne spy thrillers, The Bourne Ultimatum is one non-stop rollercoaster ride complete with explosive pursuits, slick hand-to-hand combat sequences, unscrupulous agents and, unfortunately, a few predictable plot twists.

There's really no room for boredom with 111 minutes of Damon jumping over rooftops, crashing through windows, bouncing off cars, ducking bullets and generally acting the über-spy, all the while remaining a pillar of composure. Once again director Paul Greengrass' signature style shines through with the use of hand-held cameras; it's first-rate cinematography that has the audience ducking and diving with Bourne. Although there's not much dialogue, the few occasions that call for necessary character interaction offer concise and to the point discourse, filling in the blanks for those who might have gotten lost in the plot. The fast-paced story-line requires very little effort from the cast in terms of emotional flair, and makes even a vegetable like Julia Stiles seem a pretty decent actor.

This sequel to a sequel draws on beautiful and exotic locations such as Morocco, Spain, France, and even the US. But watching Bourne run around the world is a bit like watching an episode of The Amazing Race: you're so focused on the action that you don't have the time to take in the sites.

The Bourne Ultimatum might not be the best action-thriller ever made, but it's a thrilling ride, so hold onto your seats.

- Megan Kakora