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'Salt' is spicy fun

by jmaloni
Mon, Jul 26th 2010 10:30 pm

Review by Matt Crouch

*What you are about to read is a cinematic review. Each movie is critiqued based on its rating-pending (PG or R), Genre (Comedy or Thriller), the acting, the score, the plot, and the overall quality of the movie. Hence, just because there are explosions, blood, or you think George Clooney/Megan Fox is "hot" does not mean it's a good film. Or does it. ... You be the judge. *

 

‘Salt' (2010) 

CAST

Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Olek Krupa, August Diehl, Andre Braugher.

Director:  Phillip Noyce - "Patriot Games," "The Bone Collector," "Catch a Fire"

Written by: Kurt Wimmer - "Law Abiding Citizen," "Street Kings," "Ultraviolet"

 

STORYBOARD

CIA officer Evelyn Salt (Jolie) is accused by a defector of being a Russian spy. With each attempt Salt makes to prove her innocence, her mentor, Ted Winter (Schreiber), only grows more suspicious of her true motivations. The longer she eludes capture by ambitious CIA agent, Peabody (Ejiofor), and half of Washington, the higher the stakes get. 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 to get more clouded by the day.

THE DISPOSITION

If you're the Angelina fan who was incredibly disappointed in movies such as "Wanted" and "Tomb Raider," this is the one that makes up for all those strikeouts. To help out, director Noyce pitches in at what he does best: war stories. This movie might as well be called "Cold War 2." Or "Cold War With A Vengeance."

Get it?

But, seriously, it's so good you're unsure at what's going on until almost mid-way through the film. But Noyce does a great job at keeping you interested and always guessing about not just the suspense happening, but who really is Salt.

What is so great about the character Salt is that you're never really clear on whose side she's fighting for, but she's so cunningly unstoppable you don't really care. It's a great film that has all the suspense, action, explosions and drama you need to get all of your $10 worth, and even more.

I'll admit, the beginning was a little shaky, and maybe it needed something original for the classic "elevator fight with an extreme communist," but, overall, it was very well directed, and I can finally live in peace knowing Ms. Jolie won't be remembered primarily for her ability to fight off treasure hunters and dangerous "moving wall puzzles" in underground caves.

Please stop making million dollar movies based off already terrible video games.

"I LOVED IT!!"

If you're a fan of Jack Bauer and Jason Bourne ... but in a bra ... actually that's too weird. But you get my point.

 

4 out of 5 stars

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