A Good Film, Definitely Worth Seeing...

Rating: 9/10 (21 August 2010)

Okay, so I was a bit apprehensive before watching this movie as had heard it referred to as a Female 'Jason Bourne'.
I finally got round to seeing it and was glad I had. I'm now going to make a list of a few issues other people have commented on and give my opinion.
1. 'A Female Version Of Jason Bourne'
Undoubtedly people will compare this movie to the great 'Bourne' films. I don't think this is a bad thing personally. To say this movie has the same plot as the Bourne films would be untrue. There may be some similarities but at the end of the day if you watch the film to the end you will see the plots are only loosely similar. It does have a similar style to it though that the 'Bourne' films did very well.
2. 'It portrays Russia in a Bad Light'
Seriously, I don't understand how anyone can say that. The idea of this movie is to entertain, which it does. The movie is fictional, as in made up! So the films interpretation of Russia is irrelevant. In Action Movies 'Good versus Bad' is an important part of the plot to get you rooting for the Lead character. I'm sure there have been Russian films that have made the Americans out to be the bad guys. It's nothing personal, it just adds to the plot.
3. 'Plot Holes'
Anyone who has written reviews saying the plot has major flaws in my opinion is wrong. All you need to do is pay attention to the movie and watch it through to the end and everything will make sense. I actually enjoyed guessing the plot twists throughout the movie. Questioning the plot as you watch the movie isn't a bad thing it's simply done to make you keep wondering if she's good or bad.
4. 'Bad Ending'
I personally didn't see anything wrong with the ending, why not leave it open for a sequel? I definitely would like to see one or more. Why do some people think that everything has to be tied up in a neat little bow?! It doesn't have to be. The ending leaves it up to your imagination (something many of these 'bad' reviewers seem to be missing) as to what happens next or until they provide a sequel.
5. 'Jerky Camera Work'
The camera work and directing seemed to be spot on as far as I could tell. Why should the camera be stationary during fight sequences?! People move during fights so that means the camera has to also. Otherwise you'd end up with one dimensional fight sequences.
6. 'How can Jolie's slender character dispatch trained agents with such ease'
As referenced in the movie she is a HIGHLY TRAINED AGENT. With advanced hand to hand combat etc.. Special forces are trained how to take people out quickly, efficiently and use their opponents body weight against them. Also you see several times in the movie she gains leverage by jumping into the air and getting all her weight behind her punches/kicks. Which makes it not unreasonable to think she could knock someone out. As for them being trained agents the movie doesn't specify what level of combat training they have. You seriously think the average FBI/CIA operatives would be trained to the same level as a special forces field agent?! It's like saying an average sized Security Guard would be a match for a under sized expert martial artist. Her lesser weight class would not be an issue.
So those were my answers to some common complaints from narrow minded critics.
I highly recommend watching this movie. I've given it a 9/10 as it is a very good action film. You can't fault the Acting or Dialogue. The stunts are brilliant except one of the jumps from truck to truck was a bit to big to seem believable. The plot keeps you guessing the whole way through. Oh and of course who doesn't like seeing Angelina on the big screen?! Probably one of her best movies ever, second only to her superb performance in Changeling.