Henry Saw: Salt

Perfectly good.


Just a quick word on Salt, the newest Angelina Jolie movie, which has been called a "female Bourne Identity".

First, a plot description via Sony Pictures: "As a CIA officer, Evelyn Salt swore an oath to duty, honor and country. Her loyalty will be tested when a defector accuses her of being a Russian spy. Salt goes on the run, using all her skills and years of experience as a covert operative to elude capture. Salt's efforts to prove her innocence only serve to cast doubt on her motives, as the hunt to uncover the truth behind her identity continues and the question remains: "Who is Salt?"

Salt was directed by Phillip Noyce, best known for films like Dead Calm, Patriot Games, and Rabbit Proof Fence, but whose best film is The Quiet American. Working with Jolie for the second time, he helmed The Bone Collector, Noyce has crafted an efficient and fun action film.



One of the most refreshing things about the film is how cleanly and classically it is directed. Noyce uses no shakey cam and no "MTV editing". Everything about the action and plotting is straightforward and clear.

Jolie is a solid lead, she looks great and sells the fight scenes surprisingly well, and you can't really argue with having Liev Schreiber or Chiwetel Ejiofor in the main two supporting roles. None of them are given much to do dramatically but, admirably, the film and the actors don't care. Some of the individual scenes don't work, and its not the most visually interesting movie ever made, but it all works. It's a solid action film, the kind they "don't make anymore", and well worth 100 minutes of your time.

Grade: B

Best Scene: Jolie's infiltration of the Vice-President's funeral...