--- title: "The Bourne Ultimatum: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-bourne-ultimatum/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-bourne-ultimatum" critics_score: 82 critics_reviews: 18 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Bourne Ultimatum (2007): what the critics said Critics' score 82 from 18 reviews: 17 positive, 0 mixed, 1 negative. The reviews are almost unanimous. Most critics find the film relentless and rate it the strongest entry in the trilogy, and the praise gathers around Paul Greengrass’s handheld direction, which they credit with giving the chases and fights an immediacy most action films lack. Matt Damon is singled out nearly everywhere for a Bourne who is both lethal and haunted, and several critics note that the film’s interest in guilt and government paranoia lifts it above standard genre fare. The reservations are minor and scattered. A handful of critics find the plot preposterous or formulaic, though they enjoy the film anyway, and Screen Daily notes that the shaky camera wears thin in some sequences. The spread is narrow: seventeen positive reviews against a single negative. That dissent comes from Slant Magazine, which argues that the stunts and political posturing leave the film technically proficient but empty. ## Radio Times — Alan Jones Rating 5/5. The review lauds the unrelenting pace, dazzling script, Damon's ownership of the role and Greengrass's handheld technique for immediacy and thrills. It calls the film a superbly crafted masterclass in intelligent action filmmaking that never loses grip or credibility. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-bv9lgk/the-bourne-ultimatum/) ## Empire — James Dyer Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). The critic praises Greengrass for delivering a more intense and technically proficient sequel than Supremacy, with an unrelenting pace, inventive screenplay and standout action sequences including a frenetic rooftop chase and visceral fight. Damon is highlighted for his convincing portrayal of a vulnerable yet lethal Bourne. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/bourne-ultimatum-review/) ## The AV Club — Scott Tobias Rating A-. 2 August 2007. The critic commends the film's continuation of Bourne's character arc and Greengrass's handheld documentary style for delivering grounded realism, breathless chases, and a strong residue of anti-government paranoia within mainstream action cinema. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/the-bourne-ultimatum-1798202895) ## The Hollywood Reporter Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 2 August 2007. The review lauds the film's nonstop nervous energy and inventive chase sequences across global locations, highlighting Matt Damon's Hamlet-like portrayal of Bourne and the sharp intelligence in the screenplay amid the action spectacle. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/bourne-ultimatum-158258/) ## The New York Times — Manohla Dargis Rating Critic’s Pick. 3 August 2007. Dargis calls the film fantastically kinetic and propulsive, with unusually smart action choreography. She singles out Matt Damon's haunted, brooding performance and the series' emphasis on remorse amid the violence. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/03/movies/03bour.html) ## Total Film Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 17 August 2007. The critic lauds the film's jaw-sagging action sequences, smart scripting and larynx-crushing martial arts, noting Greengrass's twitchy shaky-cam style injects the spy thriller with true class. Damon remains full of surprises as Bourne, and the film is commended for refreshing the genre with political edge despite some signs of franchise fatigue. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/the-bourne-ultimatum-review/) ## Variety — Todd McCarthy Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 24 July 2007. Festival review. McCarthy lauds the pounding, pulsating thriller for its sustained energy, tension, and adrenaline surge, crediting Greengrass's skillful use of camera and editing. He highlights the spectacular set pieces and satisfactory resolutions to the series' arcs. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2007/film/awards/the-bourne-ultimatum-1200557656/) ## The Telegraph — Sukhdev Sandhu Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 17 August 2007. The critic calls it easily the best big-budget movie of the summer and the only action-thriller franchise that actually thrills. He highlights the relentlessly fast-moving pace and political paranoia. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/3667282/Film-reviews-The-Bourne-Ultimatum-and-1208-East-of-Bucharest.html) ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 2 August 2007. Ebert praises the film as a skillful exercise in high-tech effects and stunt work centered on relentless chases. He highlights Matt Damon's convincing portrayal of the driven protagonist despite the preposterous plot elements. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-bourne-ultimatum-2007) ## Screen Daily Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 27 July 2007. The review commends the film as a thrilling bookend that pays off Bourne's identity search with slam-bang real-world action and Damon's intense performance. It notes Greengrass keeps the focus personal through crowded settings and character details, though the shaky handheld style can wear thin in some sequences. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/the-bourne-ultimatum/4033776.article) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 17 August 2007. The critic praises the film as relentlessly ridiculous yet relentlessly enjoyable action mayhem. He singles out the jaw-dropping action sequences and chases directed with frenetic verve by Paul Greengrass. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/aug/17/actionandadventure.mattdamon) ## Time Out — Ben Walters Rating 4/5. 13 August 2007. The critic praises the film's gristly handheld action and ethical depth, highlighting the standout Waterloo Station sequence as exhilarating. It delivers as genre spectacle while contrasting with standard action fare through its muddy ethics and shame following killings. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-bourne-ultimatum) ## Financial Times — Martin Hoyle Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 15 August 2007. The critic describes a rattling yarn exuberantly told, crunchingly violent but not too sadistic. He singles out the breathless pace and Matt Damon's matured performance as the amnesiac agent. [Read the review](https://www.ft.com/content/e339feb8-4b52-11dc-861a-0000779fd2ac) ## The New Yorker — David Denby Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 30 July 2007. Denby finds the material formulaic but the most enjoyable current action franchise, praising Greengrass's fragmented, high-speed direction that heightens tension and excitement. He notes the redemptive drama and Damon's physical, instinctive performance. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2007/08/06/war-wounds-2) ## The Times — Cosmo Landesman Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 19 August 2007. The critic finds it pretty remarkable entertainment that delivers visceral thrills of car chases, shoot-outs and fight scenes with energy and inventiveness missing from the spy genre. He notes Bourne's transformation into a Guardian-reading liberal but praises the action. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/the-bourne-ultimatum-the-sunday-times-review-300h09mxj0c) ## Slant Magazine Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 31 July 2007. The review criticizes the film for its high-energy stunts and shaky-cam action that ultimately feel empty and lacking in soul or insight, despite technical proficiency and political posturing. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-bourne-ultimatum/) ## Eye for Film — Angus Wolfe Murray Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 8 August 2007. The critic praises the film's relentless pace, riveting action sequences across multiple cities, cunning script, disciplined performances and Greengrass's masterful direction. It concludes that the film brings the Bourne trilogy home triumphant. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/the-bourne-ultimatum-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray) ## Den of Geek — Simon Brew Rating 4/5. 17 August 2007. The critic finds The Bourne Ultimatum terrific and the best threequel remembered, praising Paul Greengrass's direction for its logical, reason-driven action sequences that are thrilling and unHollywood-like. It stands toe-to-toe with Casino Royale as the best in the Bourne saga. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-bourne-ultimatum-review-2/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/the-bourne-ultimatum.md