'Ultimatum' fits formula
"The Bourne Ultimatum" Running time: 111 minutes MPAA rating: PG-13
CRITIC'S CORNER By DNA Smith

Matt Damon stars as Jason Bourne in the third and final installment of the action trilogy entitled "The Borne Ultimatum."

Matt Damon once again stars as Jason Bourne, the amnesiac CIA hitman trying to piece together his past and reclaim his true identity in "The Bourne Ultimatum," the final chapter of the Bourne trilogy.

The performances by Damon and the supporting cast are great. The photography and pace of the film are top shelf. For all intents and purposes, I should have loved this movie.

And yet ... I was bored stiff. I guess it was the repetitiveness.

"Ultimatum" is essentially one long chase movie. The formula goes something like this: Bourne travels to a city to meet with someone who can supply another piece of the puzzle concerning his past. The CIA discovers his whereabouts and sends a person or persons to kill Bourne. A chase and fight ensues. Bad guy is killed by Bourne. Something may or not explode. Bourne then heads to another exotic locale for the next clue. Lather, Rinse, Repeat.

Now I accept the fact that every summer blockbuster action film is formulaic. But when a film's formula becomes so self-evident that it distracts from my enjoyment of the movie, then we have a problem.

Of course, all this is moot. "The Bourne Ultimatum" has already grossed a bajillion dollars and is a box-office success. If you've seen the first two, you've probably already seen this one.

But for those who haven't seen the film and are on the fence, I suggest catching it at a matinee or waiting for it to come out as a rental. "The Bourne Ultimatum" isn't a bad flick; it's still a pretty good action picture. Not as good as "Casino Royale" or "Live Free or Die Hard," but worth a look.

GRADE: C

(c) 2007 King Features Synd., Inc.