SALT (REVIEW)
Rated
M (100 mins)
Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kevin O'donnell,
Zoe Lister-Jones, Hunt Block
'Salt' is a really good film,
not your average spy caper and living up to the promise of an interesting trailer.
Originally
this fearless spy thriller was written with Tom Cruise in mind to play the C.I.A
agent that may or may not be a sleeper Russian agent. Thankfully, Cruise declined
as it seemed too similar to his role in 'Mission Impossible'. Then after some
deliberation with studio head honcho's, 'Salt' morphed into a female and Angelina
Jolie willingly stepped up to the task. No slouch in the action genre, although
I found her last effort 'Wanted' terrible, she is simply unforgettable in this.
Evelyn
Salt is a well respected and strong willed government agent who loves nothing
more than taking down the bad guys. Her partner, Ted Winter (Liev Schreiber) has
been friends with 'Salt' for a long time and as a crime fighting team, they are
the best. However, loyalties are tested when a known Russian criminal defector
turns himself in to authorities with some extremely classified information. He
claims Evelyn Salt is actually a secret Russian agent, part of a sleeper cell
waiting for the signal to unleash chaos on what is only known as DAY-X. This revelation
is not taken seriously by Salt at first but alarm bells start ringing, literally,
and her peers become increasingly suspicious.
Using her knowledge
and survival instincts, she escapes and goes on the run to prove her innocence.
She speaks fluent Russian and her mind begins to work in criminal ways. This helps
her harness an assortment of elite strategies to be one step ahead of the entire
police force that are chasing her. All the action sequences are incredible - a
car chase that finishes with a leap from the roof of one truck to another going
the opposite way - is breathtaking. Jolie seems to be doing most of her own stunts
- she has the stature and build and she uses it. One elusive moment where Salt
is barefoot on a window ledge is nerve jangling.
Australian
director, Phillip Noyce, worked with his marvellous star before at the helm of
the sharp mystery, 'The Bone Collector', ten years ago. Noyce seems well aware
of her abilities and his trust in her is obvious on screen. Jolie's enviable reputation
soars as Evelyn Salt, a female equivilent of James Bond. Other than the looming
DAY-X, there is also a sub plot involving a seizure of some US nuclear arsenal
and an assassination of the visiting Russian President.
The
guessing game of if she is a plant infiltrating America continues until a final
twist heightens the suspense ratio and turns the film on its head. Liev Schreiber
is a definitive actor that is just as impressive in smaller films ('The Daytrippers')
as he is in big budget Hollywood fare such as 'Salt'. Reliable character actor
Chiwetel Ejiofer holds his own as Peabody, the by-the-book agent who simply isn't
convinced Salt is a traitor. Soon to be seen in the comedy, 'The Other Guys',
Zoe Lister-Jones is top notch in a brief dramatic moment as a security hub technician.
Non stop intrigue, high emotions and confident action make's
'Salt' a winner.
Shane A. Bassett
