The Bourne Ultimatum is the third film in the popular spy series of “Bourne” films. It’s also one of many films this summer to come out as a three-quel (i.e. Pirates, Shrek, Spiderman, Rush hour etc…). The movie is led by of course the return of Matt Damon in a role that he is perfect for. Actresses Julia Stiles and Joan Allen reprise roles from the previous entries in the series as well. The rest of the cast including Scott Glenn and David Strathaim is also top notch. All of this is led by the great directing of Paul Greengrass.

This film is nothing short of a thrill ride. Picking up six weeks later from where the Bourne Supremacy ended, we are thrown right back into the action. At the end of the second film Pamela Lundy (Joan Allen ) tells Jason Bourne who he really is. This film is all about Jason wanting to know who David Webb is.

The pacing is fantastic as we are taken to many different locales and countries. You never feel like you are lost. It’s such an easy story to stay with if you are familiar with the series. My main fear was that they were just going to rehash the same movie from the Supremacy but there is none of that here. In fact if anything they tear back the script and find another layer. It all makes sense when you sit back and look at it. You have to give the spy agencies credit for the depths in which they go to cover things up. Just when you think you have the answers we are given another page to turn to get deeper into the conspiracy.

Director Paul Greengrass does an excellent job with the hand shaken camera technique. This was also used in the Bourne Supremacy but not to this level. I often found myself feeling like I was on a roller coaster. It might have reached too high of a level during an epic car chase through the streets of New York, but I was able to stomach it. Feeling nauseated and excited at the same time can be quite a rush as long as you spared yourself from the popcorn.

Matt Damon is again fantastic in this film. I did notice that he talks far less in this outing. That’s a good thing. His actions make up for more than his words could ever say. I was especially impressed with a rooftop chase sequence in which Damon is chased and chases. Every time you think Damon’s character is about to do something cliche’ for an action movie he fools you. Bourne is what James Bond will never be.

I felt like Julia Stiles and Joan Allen put in stellar performances, especially Stiles. Her role in the previous two films was nothing more than a cookie-cutter agent type. In this film however, she shines with an emotional side. Strathaim’s character of Noah Vossen might be a little over the top, but it’s highly believable because David does it in a such a straight forward manner. Scott Glenn isn’t given a lot of material but you know from the start that he’s in charge.

You have to wonder if there will be a 4th film in the series. I, for one, could only hope that there is. This movie is the Ultimate summer movie. I highly recommend it, and give it my highest rating of the summer thus far.