The Bourne Ultimatum often makes one wish director Paul Greengrass wouldn’t try so hard to make us feel every crunched bone inflicted by Robert Ludlum's amnesiac assassin.

Watching the movie is a Dramamine experience, with palsied cameras whipping to and fro then zooming to close-ups when anyone has an important line to deliver. The synth-drum musical score – composed in part by that macho man Moby -- aggressively strains to be a metronome for pulse rates. Travelocity couldn’t zip antagonists around the world any more frantically cavalier.

It works with the action sequences, including a brutal car chase and a terrific sequence in London's Waterloo Station. But, hey, let actors playing serious roles speak complex dialogue without camera operators flitting around like butterflies or thumping fake drums.

One constant pleasure has been Matt Damon’s scowling portrayal of reflexive assassin Jason Bourne, who does indeed learn his true name and locate his Dr. Frankenstein. Damon has steadfastly resisted pretty-boy tricks to endear himself to audiences. His appropriately soulless line readings don’t contain catchphrases and his breakdowns never feel weak.

The Bourne Ultimatum opens Friday.