A List Of Things Thrown Five Minutes Ago

GET SOME REST, PAM, YOU LOOK TIRED: Much has already been said about the brilliance that is Paul Greengrass' The Bourne Ultimatum, but a few points I want to make/add:

• One of the great things about the series is how it's been cast--primarily with actors who you don't normally see in "big blockbusters," and typically against type. David Straithairn is the the big addition in this one, and he gets to play the polar opposite of Edward R. Murrow.
• It's a movie resolutely set in the here and now, with political resonance (though some of the parallels are a bit too "on the nose" and blatant), but it doesn't feel the need to remind us of that every five minutes--I don't believe the words "9/11," "Patriot Act," or even "terrorist" are even uttered by any character.
• None of the characters are "clean." Everyone is morally compromised in some way. On the flip side, even the "bad guys" are (for the most part) not wearing purely black hats. They are people who mean well, but get carried away and cross a line.
• The use of practical locations is astounding, and (mostly) done with substantial accuracy. You can tell that they actually shot the final act in NYC, including an amazing car and foot chase sequence through the Port Authority.
• Even though Damon and Greengrass have both strongly indicated that this is it for the series, and the film gives a lot of closure to the Bourne storyline, there's one huge loose end (I'll discuss in the comments) which gives massive opening for a sequel.

If you were thinking about seeing this one, do--I think, beyond question, it's the best of the summer "three-quels."