An action-mystery about Evelyn Salt (Angelina Jolie), an American CIA officer accused of being a Russian spy.
The CIA come to believe Salt is under orders to kill the President, so she goes on the run to clear her name and prove she's all-American. Using all her skills and years of experience as a covert operative, she must elude capture and protect her husband or the world's most powerful forces will erase any trace of her existence.
With a hot, ass-kicking, super spy on the run from officials, Salt is like a female-Bourne - but almost wasn't. The project started life as 'Edwin Salt' with Tom Cruise in talks to take the lead before the gender-switch.
Watching Angelina Jolie in a role that was originally written for a man is a coup for viewers who tend to steer clear of testosterone-heavy action flicks. And any film of such high-octane calibre is bound to have the star leaping from between moving vehicles – in Angie's case, the leaping comes laced with 'sexy face syndrome'. That is Jolie's biggest flaw: a self-conscious coquettishness delivered as squinty eyes and pouting which is completely unnecessary – and it has to be said, she runs like a girl.
That aside, as Evelyn Salt, the is-she-isn't-she Russian spy, Jolie is otherwise enigmatic and exciting in a flick that pours on the you've-gotta-be-kidding-me twists and turns. Yes, we're talking Big Stunts here folks, which sees the up-for-it mum of six hanging off tall buildings, spinning off tall buildings and killing clusters of muscle men with a few swift jabs and kicks. But, like Girl, Interrupted, it gives the star a chance to try on multiple personalities, even if they swing so violently they'll leave you feeling the plot is contrived, fickle and indecisive. If it weren't for the constant joyride of surprises though, Salt would be an all-too conventional action flick.
Instead it strikes an appealing tone, somewhere between the broad, comedic stunts of Bond and the smart, espionage thriller sense of the Bourne flicks. It's illogical, yes, and at times, so silly you'll be choking on your popcorn. But that's all part of the fun.
By Rebecca Barry Hill, Flicks.co.nz
It's just another spy movie, nothing special and pretty forgettable. Parts of the story don't make sense which is frustrating. I wouldn't watch it again
Angelina Jolie plays a CIA agent accused of being a Russian spy and is now on the run from her own people. This is a fun action movie with some cool stunts and great action scenes. Angelina is taylor made for a role like this shes great. I recommend this film
For a film based on CIA characters, intelligence sadly has nothing to do with the plot. With holes big enough to drive a run-away truck through the focus is clearly on the fast moving action in the hope that you don't have time to dwell on the ridiculous elements. Starts off promisingly enough and has you guessing for a bit, but disappointingly deteriorates through preposterous plot leaps and ludicrous contrivances. A couple of decent action set pieces and refreshingly CGI-absent stunt work but Jolie was unconvincing in the chase scenes where she resembles a woman running to catch a bus rather than a CIA action heroine running for her life. The plot "twists" and reversals are well telegraphed and come as no surprise, the photography is stylish, but overall it was underwhelming in the extreme. A bit Bond, a bit Bourne and just a bit silly.
it was a good way to spend a wet afternoon
ahhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!! it is so cooooooooolllllllllll
It's gloriously absurd. This movie has holes in it big enough to drive the whole movie through. The laws of physics seem to be suspended here the same way as in a Road Runner cartoon.
Is Evelyn Salt the role Angelina Jolie was Bourne to play?
Salt's story is just a tad too close to The Manchurian Candidate, and any one of its dozens of knockoffs, to ever again be made with a straight face.
Enjoyable enough nonsense, even if it barely cracks a smile. It’s not exactly the female Bourne we were hoping for. Still, Noyce marshals the crunches and bangs well, and it zips along at a pace sufficient enough to keep the paranoia alive. Never entirely predictable — a bonus these days — it’s further confirmation of Jolie’s action goddess status.
Salt moves ever forward -- pushing, pushing, pushing its heroine to greater feats every minute. It doesn't stop for martinis, either shaken or stirred, or any other detours. The movie is lean and muscular, looking for action even in situations where a little sleight of hand might have done the trick.
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Thursday, 19th Aug 2010.
Release date: August 19th 2010.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
