Movie Review: Salt (2010)
Jolie delivers but the film falters
Photo: Columbia Pictures
The fact Salt is directed by Phillip Noyce (Patriot Games) and stars Angelina Jolie meant my interest was locked in regardless. I prefer Jolie in action mode and I prefer Noyce directing faster paced features such as his two Jack Ryan outings. Unfortunately, I can't offer anything more than faint praise for Salt as it fumbles all over itself throughout and sputters out completely in the end. There are some tremendous moments of action and Jolie is superb in the title role, but even though each scene seems to be well thought out individually, none of them tie together all that well. Worst of the lot is the finale, in which the actors' performances seem as if they are channeling characters from a completely different movie.
The cast includes Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Andre Braugher, Daniel Olbrychski, August Diehl, Yara Shahidi and Zoe Lister Jones. For more information on this film including pictures, trailers and a detailed synopsis choose from the following menu.
Review
"Salt" is a Columbia Pictures release, directed by Phillip Noyce and is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action. The running time is 1 hour 33 minutes.
Jolie's co-stars include Liev Schreiber as her CIA superior and Chiwetel Ejiofor working in counter-intelligence. Both are well suited for the roles and only falter when the script fails them. This is the case for all the actors involved and the rest of the movie as well.
Scripted by Kurt Wimmer (Law Abiding Citizen), Salt digs plot holes Wimmer isn't talented enough to climb out of. For those only out for a jolt of action and little fluidity from scene to scene will find this works, but if you're looking for a little something more you will be left wanting. Transitioning from one "blam, boom, 'splosion" scene to the next proves to be difficult for this script. Jolie and cast do well to hold things together much of the way, but the tank proves to be empty by the third act.
I will admit, at the outset there is a certain level of intrigue to the story. Early on you're left to ask yourself, "Just who should I be cheering for?" Members of my audience were even clapping as Salt blasted her way out of a series of jams, but I was asking myself Is she the hero or the villain? I asked this even though I had a pretty good idea about the answer, but there is at least is a small level of complexity to the story you'll be able to grasp onto even if it shoots itself in the foot by the time the film ends.
Overall, Salt is saved by Jolie's dedication to her character and Noyce's ability to frame some truly excellent action sequences. This film also has a tendency to get very dark, violent and emotionally charged, pushing the boundaries of its PG-13 rating. An early action scene involving a church and some explosives is particularly impressive and with talk of Jolie doing most of her own stunts it makes me wonder just who that was jumping from a bridge onto a moving semi, and just how much wire work was involved.
I don't think people will come out of Salt unhappy. Short on satisfaction due to a terrible ending may be more like it. However, should this film become a success, the sequels could be amazing as I really like where they wanted to take the character. This is a film obviously interested in setting up a Jason Bourne-like franchise as the two stories are very easily comparable, but whether audiences will support this film for the long haul is the biggest roadblock to seeing more of what Salt has to offer.
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I just got back from this and I have to say I was entertained throughout the whole movie. The chase scenes were top notch to escape scenes were great. My eyes were glued to the screen even during the short down times (due to Angelina's beauty). The movie has you wondering just what the hell is going on but comes together. A little messy coming together but it does. Jolie displays a little bit of Hitman gun toting action and a little bit of Black Widow ass-kicking. I loved this movie for what the actors brought to the table dispite, as you said Brad, the script. B- in my opinion.
Just got back. This movie is like Predators. IT had everything to be a great action movie and fell apart. The pacing was off. If this movie moved like Taken or From Paris with love it would have been good. You will be disappointed.
Worse than Sex and the City 2?
Action movies and preposterousness ultimately go hand in hand quite well nowadays so that seems to be not an automatic axe to grind the flick with.
I'll be seeing it when it opens here – I will decide what I think of it then.
I loved that movie I tink that was the best movie ever wat I didn't kinda like was the end but the movie was great
This movie kicks ass!!! Angelina is great in it, of coarse. Because thrillers are plot driven, they have a tendency to not hold up for repeat viewings. But combating that would have meant changing the full speed ahead pacing of the movie; and I'm sure they felt they didn't want to slow down this thrill ride. My only real complaint is, as I said, it's not the kind of film built for repeat viewings. I say that because I've already seen it twice. But you will cheer the first time.
I LOVED IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ONE OF THE BEST MOVIES I HAVE SEEN IN YEARS. DON'T MISS THIS ONE. ANGELINA ONE OF HER BEST PERFORMANCES………
I really didn't like this movie. The pacing was terrible, and the story jumped all over the place in an effort to be intriguing. I just ended up being really frustrated. Plus, I really didn't care about her character. At all. I liked Liev Schreiber's part better. That's not to say that Angelina Jolie sucked. She's a totally awesome action star, through and through. I just wish she'd picked better material than this convoluted mess.
the movie is average and anjelina did great performance n this movie for her actions and her stunts u people must watch this move really hot
shallow … ultimately predictable … not in the slightest bit believable
Nice film!!!!!! Two thumbs way up!!!