Salt

Dir: Phillip Noyce (The Quiet American, Rabbit-Proof Fence)
Cast: Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Daniel Olbrychski, Andre Braugher, Olek Krupa
USA, 2010

Seen: July 24, 2010 at Scotiabank

Reason to see: Action films with female protagonist = Yes.

Salt stars Angelina Jolie as Evelyn Salt in a political set international espionage-type film, but with a strong action tone to it. I’d actually say it’s an action-thriller that is surrounded by mystery. One of the things I liked most about the film is that it is a great combination of giving you enough information without being to hard to follow, which keeps you intrigued throughout the film.

I loved Angelina Jolie as the protagonist, she is very capable as being a believable action-type person and she really continues to pull that off here. She’s the best thing about the film as she is so believable and interesting. The story is also intriguing and is one we haven’t seen in a while. It’s a mystery, so you don’t want to know totally what going on and it keeps that mystery going. Often with politically charged thrillers I can myself feeling lost on what is going on, but this film never reduces to the point of feeling confused or lost. I was intrigued, captivated and present as opposed to be lost and waiting for someone to tell me what is going on.

The tone it takes is a little different that what we’ve seen recently, it’s been many years since I’ve seen a spy film that featured Russia as ‘the other country’ and I was surprized to see that. I wonder if that choice is to connect with audiences who are of the vintage to remember that in films, as opposed to younger audiences. It’s seems even more likely when you look at the characters in the film are at minimum in their 30’s or 40’s or older. It’s a refreshing to see as action films seem to be targeted to younger and more general audiences and this film doesn’t exclude that audience, but certainly reaches beyond that audience.

If you like action films with female protagonists, Salt is definitely a cut above a lot of what we’ve seen so far, which was great to see and also promising for future film as well. Everyone’s performance is good in the film and one of the things that makes it work is that all of the characters work with and believe in her competency level in terms of the action. There is no comedic elements to it or non-believing that a woman could do what she does, ever. What a relief, especially since it’s completely integral to her character that she is a woman. Overall, it’s really Angelina Jolie’s movie and she kicks a lot of butt. I’m looking forward to seeing it again and again.

Shannon's Overall View:
I enjoyed it
I'll buy it
I recommend it to fans of action & thrillers, especially those with a female protagonists

14 minutes of preshow including 10 commercials and 5 previews: The Expendables, The American, Red, The Social Network and The Green Hornet

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© Shannon Ridler, 2010