MOVIE REVIEW ... SALT

MOVIE REVIEW ...

SALT

Novelists who traded on the Cold War to spin fictional spy yarns must have wept when it ended.  No more would their cutting edge topical stories be able to tap into ‘reds under the beds’ paranoia with such thoughts consigned to history.  Fortunately for them Hollywood refuses to let go of the past with Salt playing up the threat of KGB Russians to the hilt.  With energetic acrobatics its driving force, it shows how discarded ideals still hold weight when it comes to mindless escapism.

CIA Agent Evelyn Salt (Angelina Jolie) is a highly skilled officer.  Respected by her peers and boss Ted Winter (Liev Schreiber), her abilities are tested by the defection of a Russian spy.  Interrogating him, Salt learns of an operation called ‘Day X’ which involves political assassination and the seizing of nuclear weapons.  When he unexpectedly implicates her in the plot, she goes on the run.  Chased by her former colleagues and Agent Peabody (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Salt races to clear her name and prevent her country from becoming the centre-point of an explosive Armageddon.

Despite its awful title and highly implausible script, Salt manages to become a pure adrenaline rush.  Ignoring its many plot holes, both director Phillip Noyce and star dive into proceedings with gusto.  As she kicks some serious butt, Noyce seems only too happy to assist her exploits by creating various ‘locked-room’ scenarios from which she must escape.  This is probably the best part of the entire enterprise as he allows viewers to see the action and ensure everyone joins the intrepid heroine until the end.

The threat of sleeper agents suddenly awakening to cause havoc is well utilised, as you’re never quite sure who are the true heroes and villains.  Like any good spy caper, the double crosses and race to stop the emerging threat are all part of the fun.  What’s particularly pleasing is Salt must use her wits instead of gadgets to escape her pursuers – thereby showing the genuine intelligence underneath the tough exterior.

 

Owing more than a passing nod to the James Bond films, Salt is pretty good nonsense if one doesn’t take it too seriously.    It isn’t a thinking person’s espionage thriller – just a wild ride to the finish line done in the style Hollywood does best.

Movie Review Rating 7 / 10

Movie Review by Patrick Moore

Salt released in Australia on Thursday 19 August 2010.

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