Who is Salt? Is she a Russian spy? Are Russian spies setting her up? These are the central questions in Phillip Noyce's newest film "Salt," which turns Angelina Jolie into a female Jason Bourne, without the memory loss.
"Salt" had the potential to be a really good spy thriller like the Bourne films but there were parts missing and it left me feeling unsatisfied, wanting more. The film feels incomplete.
Jolie plays Evelyn Salt, a seemingly average C.I.A agent who gets her life turned upside down when a Russian defector tells her and the rest of the C.I.A that a Russian agent named Evelyn Salt will go and kill the Russian president while he is at the American vice president's funeral. Salt goes on the run and uses her skills and years of experience to escape capture. She says she's innocent but why is she running away?
The main problem with the movie was its length. There wasn't enough time for the big elaborate plot that was being set up to unfold. As a result, the film felt rushed. Half the time it wasn't clear what was going on. Also there wasn't enough character development. There needed to be more background on the Russian spy organization that was so heavily involved in the plot.
Not helping were the many contradictory revelations and blindsides Salt commits. There's so much of it that the film nearly becomes a spy spoof.
That's not to say there wasn't serious action. Salt fights, shoots, jumps, climbs, dives and runs - a lot. This was exciting for a little while. The first chase scene--where she escapes from the C.I.A office and makes a gun-like object from a fire extinguisher--was entertaining, but after a short time it became boring and repetitive. I can watch only so much someone running and jumping from one place to another.
As far as the acting goes it's nothing to write home about. Jolie is a good actress and has proven with films like "Tomb Raider" and "Wanted" that she can play a tough leading character. But 'Salt' certainly won't stir any Oscar buzz. And co-star Liev Schreiber, who plays her C.I.A friend, was just bland.
However, I did enjoy a few pieces about defection and some mentions of Lee Harvey Oswald's origins. There's also some unexpected twists that take place in the most secretive places on Earth. Sadly, it's just not enough to spice up this otherwise forgettable display. Jason Bourne fans have nothing to worry about.
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