Sat Feb 11 2012
Angelina Jolie has become a household name by playing butt-kicking beauties in movies like “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider,” “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” and “Wanted.”
It’s been two years since her last film, but she’s back to busting heads in “Salt,” Columbia Pictures’ latest action thriller.
Jolie plays Evelyn Salt, a CIA agent who has her world turned upside down when a Russian defector named Orlov names her as a Russian spy during an interrogation. His accusation forces Salt to go on the run, but as her background is revealed, audiences will begin to wonder where Salt’s loyalties truly lie.
That might seem like a brief synopsis, but the plot is so filled with twists, double crosses and surprise reveals that anything longer could reveal spoilers.
“Salt” is a spy thriller packed with espionage and nonstop, wall-to-wall action.
That’s not an exaggeration either – after the first ten minutes, the film cranks the intensity all the way up and never relents.
Cars careen off bridges, punches and bullets fly and explosions shake the screen as Salt navigates her way through the dangerous world of counter-intelligence.
At the heart of all that action is Jolie, who portrays Salt with an icy demeanor that leaves no doubt her character is capable of wreaking havoc.
Given her earlier action films, Jolie has clearly established herself as Hollywood’s elite macho actress, and “Salt” might just be the pinnacle of her reign atop the testosterone soaked genre.
The movie feels like a cross between “The Fugitive” and the “Bourne” movies with its intense chase sequences and the mysterious background of its protagonist.
Salt is an enigma throughout the movie with the exception of her marriage to Mike, a German arachnologist whom she genuinely seems to love.
Their romance is the classic high-risk love story turned on its head, as Mike is the one whose life is on the line given his wife’s position with the CIA.
While it seems throwaway at first, Salt’s marriage actually serves as a turning point for the character, giving the alleged Russian spy renewed passion and purpose.
Outside of that connection, there’s minimal character development.
Salt and the other players that inhabit her world are only there to advance the story, making the movie decidedly plot-driven.
This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as the plot grabs your attention from the start and refuses to let go, providing plenty of jaw-dropping moments along the way and keeping you in constant suspense.
It’s only when the movie is dissected afterward that the plot holes begin to appear, but they’re not glaring enough to distract you while you’re watching.
The action looks authentic but some of the stunts are far-fetched, including a jump from one moving truck to another that would easily break both legs upon impact.
The twists in the movie work, even if some of the decisions made by characters are hard to swallow, including a total shocker in the final minutes that leaves the door wide open for a sequel.
That’s not to say the movie doesn’t have a brain.
In fact, the combination of action, a smart plot and Jolie’s standout performance elevate “Salt” above most summer blockbusters.
If you’re looking for pure popcorn entertainment that delivers high octane action, you could do a lot worse than seeing Jolie do what she does best.
Reel grade: 80 out of 100.
For more movie reviews, videos and podcasts, check out Josh Raymer’s new website: www.reeltalkraymer.com.
Comments
By Posting to this site, you agree to our Terms of Service Be polite.
Inappropriate posts may be removed.
State-Journal.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post.
Login above or Register to comment.
0 Total Comments Home | Back
Copyright Frankfort Publishing Co., LLC 1995-2011. All Rights Reserved.
Content may not be republished without the expressed written consent of the publisher.
Content may not be republished without the expressed written consent of the publisher.
Dix Communications