So this is what we know so far. Director Doug Liman's launch of the Bourne franchise in 2002 with Identity grossed more than $200m worldwide; The Bourne Supremacy, directed by Oxfordshire-based Paul Greengrass, further raised the bar, grossing $300m and this, the third and supposedly final in the series, The Bourne Ultimatum, is on track to smash all previous records.

And you know what? It's easy to see why.

It's rare a slice of Saturday night entertainment comes along that is both stuffed full of nerve-shattering action set pieces, and equally intelligent and engrossing But The Bourne Ultimatum ticks both these two boxes with equal aplomb. The film, starring Matt Damon, with Greengrass back again at the helm, boasts three stunning chase sequences; the first at Waterloo train station where the CIA attempt to 'retire' a British journalist whose has uncovered the existence of Treadstone, the project under which Bourne trained; the second, across the rooftops of Tangier (and this really is a blistering, white-knuckle 20 minutes of cinematic bravura); and the third is the Bourne signature - a brutal car chase, this time in New York.

All three will leave you utterly pumped-up and breathless, putting the action sequences from the latest Bond, Casino Royale (and Bourne's nearest competitor), firmly back in the shade.

The story, of course, revolves around Jason Bourne's quest to learn his true identity, and in this third chapter we do finally found out what has haunted him for so long, despite the best efforts of the CIA to silence him.

In truth, it's not that staggering a revelation, but who cares, because the journey here has proved so relentlessly thrilling. And all the old favourites are back - Pamela Landing (Joan Allen) as the sympathetic CIA suit and Nicky (Julia Stiles) as the CIA low-level bureaucrat.

But upping the ante, acting wise, are David Strathairn and Albert Finney, their involvement alone proving that this is a franchise which has both pedigree and style.

So, worth the cost of a ticket? Well, let me put it this way - I could sit through this film three times and still want to go back for more...

Stars: Matt Damon, Albert Finney, David Strathairn, Joan Allen OUR RATING: Four stars out of five