Having quite enjoyed Bourne Identity and slightly less so Bourne Supremacy, I rushed into the screening of "Bourne Ultimatum" after fighting through LA traffic. Jason Bourne picked up that rush and ran with it for the rest of the film. Like the other two, Ultimatum has little problem working up a frantic pace and maintaining it throughout. However, Ultimatum has other problems that make it the least effective Bourne.

Though both are played by fine actors, the bickering between CIA shot-callers in the offices stateside becomes tiresome and repetitive. While the chase scenes remain rather impressive, the one in Tangier goes far too long. Audiences may become a bit distracted and start to pay more attention to its ridiculousness. That said, that chase culminates in a hand-to-hand fight sequence that rushes with adrenaline and prompted some applause from this group of industry professionals.

A series of three individual "buddies" partner up with Jason at various times for different reasons, but none of them carry any weight, leaving the film feeling rather hollow. Furthering that hollow feeling, the pay off at climax time feels truncated. Only a small bone of information is given, and that info is repeated inexplicably.

Overall, some great action sequences (created the old-fashioned way) play powerfully, a good strong pace (save for a few rough spots), but a less smart, less full, and even less believable film than its predecessors.

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