Thanks for checking out our Salt Review
Genre: Suspense Thriller
Directed by: Phillip Noyce
Staring: Angelina Jolie, Liev Schriber, Chiwetel Ejiofor
Released: July 23, 2010
THE GENERAL IDEA
As a CIA officer, Evelyn Salt swore an oath to duty, honor and country. Her loyalty will be tested when a defector accuses her of being a Russian spy. Salt goes on the run, using all her skills and years of experience as a covert operative to elude capture. Salt’s efforts to prove her innocence only serve to cast doubt on her motives, as the hunt to uncover the truth behind her identity continues and the question remains: “Who is Salt?”
THE GOOD
Angelina Jolie has convinced me beyond any doubt that she can kick anyone’s ass. She is badass, and while often she appears to need a sammich, if there was ever a doubt that she could convincingly pull off an action role (she’s done many) this is it. But more importantly she impresses me as an actress. All through this film you are wondering if she really is the spy or is she set up. She plays this out like Jolie might be a spy herself. She would have me fooled.
And I do sense Phillip Noyce’s style of suspenseful action. He excells at the spy game genre, and this is no exception. Action plays out well in his hand, but only for the most part. And the action is good, if a bit over the top.
THE BAD
Sometimes a bit over the top, but very real and present danger (see what I did there??) bends to the implausible. Sometimes it peeks a little too high over the top and we have to forgive it for the sake of the pacing of the film. Its fun, but briefly takes away from the real suspense and gripping mystery of the film.
As she should, Jolie dominates this movie physically and visually. But I don’t feel any real empathy for her husband, or anyone else in the CIA. They all just feel like faceless suits there as pylons for her to dance around. The supporting cast just wasn’t all that important. If they had some real developement of the characters, the film would have some heart. Instead we just get Salt in a battle against her own situation.
The plot is what will lose you. Never is it explained WHY anything that happens does. I won’t spill the big reveal, but with all this double crossing and espionage and lies, when the truth finally surfaces we are not given a motivation at all. There is no gripping “I had to do this because” moment. She just does.
The big reveal lacks any heartfelt bang.
OVERALL
The movie lacks any real character and heart, but it has a lot of action, some good suspense and keeps you guessing if Salt is a spy or was she set up. Its worth the watch for the thrill and action, but the constant comparisons to Bourne and The Fugitive are in surface alone. This movie lacks depth, but does have a lot of fun and thrilling action and suspense.
I give Salt a 5 out of 10
