In times when we had clear-cut enemies, our country could easily point out USSR as the last of our biggest enemies. The ingenious plot written by seasoned scribe Kurt Wimmer (Law Abiding Citizen) brings our old antagonists back into our lives. By the end of this film it would be amazing if Russia and the United States had any relationship at all, at least fictionally.
Playing on the tensions of certain political environments, this movie begins in North Korea as Evelyn Salt is being brutally interrogated by the military believing she is an agent of the CIA. Without wasting any time, the story moves forward and Evelyn is back in America interrogating a self confessed Russian spy. At the end of their talk he announces to the agents viewing that she is a Russian agent.
Because of this quick entrance into the tension of the film the action can begin. Somewhere between Jason Bourne style and classic James Bond films in terms of violence makes the action easy to digest but lacks any edge to make the audience wide eyed. You even feel like they just grabbed the same action director they used from the Tomb Raider movies. When Angelina is jumping from vehicles and down elevator shafts, it makes you second-guess how believable this film can be.
It’s the relationship in this film that each character holds with one another that make the movie so compelling. Her relationship with her husband, her partner and her old mentor are all driving forces in her motivations for her actions. The audience will more than once question her allegiance during this film and why she chooses what she does.
Casting was done excellently in this film. Liev Schreiber (X-Men Origins: Wolverine) and Chiwetel Ejiofor (Redbelt) both play federal agents who are assigned with the task of hunting Salt down. Originally Tom Cruise was slated to play the role of Salt but let this gem fall through his hands. When Angelina Jolie got her hands on this script, changes were made and she headlines the film now.
Philip Noyce has had his experience with spy films in the past but by the looks of this film he has his sights on staying in this genre. He’s gone on record that there will be sequels to this film and he would like for Tom Cruise and Ben Affleck to be in them. Maybe bring in their well-known characters Ethan Hunt (Mission: Impossible) and Jack Ryan (Sum of All Fears).
This will probably be the future of a very successful film series. Look forward to seeing more of Evelyn Salt in the future by watching Salt in theaters this weekend.
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action.
