9.0 for Angelina as an Action Sta -r 5.0 for Horrible Writing

Rating: 7/10 (26 July 2010)

OK, where to start... I had positive expectations before going to the theater. Both because of decent reviews and as a fan of Jolie's ability and previous work. There's no denying the girl can act. And she's one of the most alluring females on the planet.
I can't say I loved the "Tomb Raider" movies because they were what they were... summer popcorn flicks. The action in those was certainly not believable but it was fun. Having Jolie do most of her own stunt works in those helped tremendously but they were certainly over the top and expected to be so.
I was very surprised at how much I enjoyed "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" when it came out. The banter, the humor and the sexiness of the movie all combined into a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Again, a summer popcorn movie.
Last year, it was "Wanted". Not a Jolie vehicle per se, but again summer escapism.
So I kind of had expectations of that type of movie. And coupled with the reviews, I thought i would walk out of the theater with a similar opinion.
"Salt" began in a similar vein but right away I could see that they were going to use Jolie's talents as an actress as well as an Action Heroine. And it didn't take long for the action to start. (I won't go into deep story lines as so many of the reviews on here cover that) An escape from CIA offices and a somewhat unbelievable chase sequence stoked the beginning but I was very impressed with how much Jolie brought to the role in terms of character. There is a scene near the end of the chase (where she is crouched behind a parked car)that screams intensity and believability as Jolie's character professes her innocence. I mean, she really nailed this scene in terms of conveying fear and anxiety over her dilemma.
But then the bad writing took over. The movie became one long "aw, c'mon... she wouldn't do that" after another. Throughout, Angelina brought depth and believability to the role but the very "over-the-top" implausibilities became a complete distraction.
I walked out of the movie torn. I really thought Jolie was fantastic and she will pave the way for future female action leads. But I felt really cheated that no one came to the aid of the script. Doesn't anyone go to the directors of these films after seeing the dailies and say "hey, I think we need to make that a bit more logical". I guess not. And it's not like it would have taken anything away from the movie. Even with an outdated Iron Curtain enemy and some questionable abilities of the heroine, it could have been so much smarter.
I lay the blame for the movie's failures at the hands of the writer initially, but at the director for not asking for re-writes. And that is a shame because Noyce did an exceptional job in pacing and the "view". Even the scenes where Jolie is kicking butt, he chose to keep her skinny arms hidden in shirts and jackets and did not throw unrealistic human abilities into her moves. I could in fact believe that she was able to defeat her male foes by well placed kicks and throws.
It is in the style of the Bourne movies. But not nearly as intelligent, and that's not saying a great deal. And it's by no means a cartoon super-hero movie. Anjelina CAN and DOES pull off the role as an action hero. But the movie fails miserably in terms of plausibility of the storyline.
So overall, I'll score it a 7.0. Well below where I'd hoped it would be. Anjelina Jolie surpassed every expectation I had in making me believe the character herself. But the writer and director screwed the pooch in giving her a workable storyline. The movie will do well and there will be a sequel. For that, I'm pleased. It will be difficulty to write a worse plot.