SALT

Starring: Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, Chiwetel Ejiofor
Genre: Action, Thriller
Director: Philip Noyce
Rated:PG-13

 

When a Russian defector comes into the CIA and says that Evelyn Salt(Angelina Jolie) is a Russian spy, Salt goes on the lamb to figure out how she is involved in this conspiracy.

Salt is probably best known for originally having Tom Cruise scheduled to be in the lead role. The script was overhauled to allow Angelina Jolie to step into his shoes. Based on comparing Salt to Knight and Day, Cruise made the wrong choice. Salt is superior in every way.

The tagline for the film is who is Salt? And that is the major component of the film. There is an element of doubt running through the movie as to whether she is a framed CIA agent or truly is a Russian sleeper agent; furthermore Salt slowly reveals her motivation till you truly know which side she is on. Jolie is finely supported by her handler, Ted Winter (The always solid Live Schreiber) who unwillingly, teams up with Agent Peabody (Chiwetel Ejiofor) to hunt Salt down. Together they try and stop a plan that involves killing the Russian President to start another world war and ultimately lead Russia back to greatness.

Jolie is one of few actresses who is able to pull off being an action star. Her fighting skills rely more on leverage than brute force. I am not one to believe that her ultra skinny frame could knock anyone out with a punch, however pistol-whipping someone to knock them out is something that I can go along with. There are some nice feminine touches thrown in including dressing a wound with a maxi pad that was actually quite clever.

While the plot try’s to throw you some twists and turns it is the action scenes that hold the film together. Watching Jolie leap from truck top to truck top down a freeway or slide down an elevator shaft are the type of ridiculous spy stunt that is typically reserved for men, thankfully Jolie pulls off the implausible just as adeptly. Salt tries to be a little to clever for its own good and the final 10 minutes seem like they were added on strictly to appease filmgoers.

Overall for summer fare Salt is an enjoyable mix of action and thrills with just enough thinking to not take you out of the film.

Grade -82

To view an archive of older reviews featured in the Huntington Beach News please visit CinemaAssassin.com
Comments can be sent to Chris@Cinemaassassin.com