4 stars
Synopsis: After CIA agent Evelyn Salt is accused of being a Russian spy, everyone starts thinking, “Who is Salt?”
Cast: Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Daniel Olbrychski, August Diehl, Daniel Pearce, Hunt Block, Andre Braugher, Olek Krupa
Director: Phillip Noyce
The series of events leading up to the production of SALT leaves me with a lot of what-ifs. Tom Cruise was supposed to star in the movie and once he backed out, the script was rewritten for a female lead and Angelina Jolie took the role. Wow! I wonder how much rewriting was done. If it is just the subtle ways that the camera takes advantage of Ms. Jolie’s amazing figure then I don’t think I would have liked the movie. I just can’t see how this movie would have been any different from any other espionage thriller if it had starred Tom Cruise. Don’t misunderstand what I am saying though. This movie wasn’t good because it starred a woman. It was good because Angelina could bring something to the table that other actors couldn’t. Just look at the movie poster. It is highlighting one of the best parts of the movie…Angelina with her, “I’m the baddest b****” look on her face. So, What if Tom Cruise had starred in the movie? It would have just been another Bourne type movie. Been there, watched that.
Moving on to the directors: Michael Mann [PUBLIC ENEMIES, COLLATERAL], Peter Berg [HANCOCK, THE KINGDOM], and Terry George [RESERVATION ROAD, HOTEL RWANDA] were all considered to direct the movie before Phillip Noyce was given the job. For me, it is hard to picture another director. If you asked me which director I think would do the best job I would say Michael Mann. There are a lot more people out there that could answer this what-if better than I can. So I will simply just mention in and move on.
This is all I will say about the plot: you are in for a ride.
Now the actors: Liev Schreiber was excellent but I very disappointed in Chiwetel Ejiofor’s performance. It seemed so frantic. Maybe he is only cut out for movies like 2012…where frantic is appropriate. The first movie I saw him in was DIRTY PRETTY THINGS. He was very impressed with his performance in that movie. Maybe it set the bar to high.
The only bad thing I will say about the movie is that some of the action scenes were a little unreal, especially where Jolie is jumping long distances. But hey, aren’t all action movies filled with unreal stunts. SALT keeps it at a minimum. Oh, and Jolie performed her own stunts. She is the baddest b****.
Overall Recommendation: Don’t talk to your friend about it…don’t read any reviews (besides this one of course)…just go see it. Hurry!
The Verdict: Movie…a movie that will shape the new and improved espionage thriller genre.
******SPOILER ALERT**** Do not read if you haven’t watched the movie yet.
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The main question I have is: when did Salt change her standpoint? Was it after she was tortured in North Korea or when they killed her husband?
They definitely set it up for a sequel. And I’m looking forward to it.
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