"Salt" is everything the TV spots and commercials promise it to be.

Rating: 7/10 (12 August 2010)

When venturing into the movie theater with my girlfriend Ashley last night, I actually didn't know what to think of "Salt." I mean from the television spots and trailers, the movie looked like it would be a decent action flick so I was kinda 50/50 on seeing this one. I am normally not a huge fan of Angelina Jolie, I am not saying she is a bad actress but I just don't think she lives up to all the hype that surrounds her. With that being said, my girlfriend thinks Angelina is "awesome" so I figured this would be an interesting film to have a debate on the drive home. So without further delay, I begin my review of "Salt."
"Salt" tells the story of CIA Agent Evelyn Salt (Angelina Jolie), whose life seems perfect despite her troubled past. The movie starts off showing Salt happily married and enjoying her job working for the CIA. One day, there is a security breach at the agency. It turns out the breach was done by a Russian man, who was sent there to inform the CIA of a Russian spy who has infiltrated the CIA. This Russian man claims the the spy's name is Evelyn Salt. This is where the fun begins as Salt must do everything she can to prove she isn't a spy or is she? Lots of action ensues...
Let me start off my saying this...if you have seen the trailers or television spots for "Salt" than you know exactly what to expect from the film. "Salt" delivers on everything it promises from its advertisements. It's an action packed film that definitely delivers on the action. With that being said, if you think "Salt" offers anything fresh and new to the action genre, well I tell you now, it doesn't. My problem with "Salt" is just that. The storyline was extremely predictable and within the first 10 minutes I already figured out where the film was going. The action is intense and well delivered, however, like most action films most scenes are extremely far fetched and unbelievable. There is nothing about "Salt" that really makes it stick out from other action films besides the actors. At many times with the scenes shown in the film, you also feel like your watching "Die Hard" or "Taken" but with Angelina Jolie in the drivers seat so to speak.
When watching the film, you as the audience member are entertained all the way through, which I give the film a lot of credit for. The problem is "Salt" requires you to really turn your brain off in order to truly enjoy it. Again, I guess that's typical nowadays from Hollywood action films. After viewing "Salt," I now see why so many people have raved about "Inception" because that was a film that was action packed, thought provoking, and truly made you think. Nolan somehow created a film that even though it was fiction, it almost felt like it could happen in reality. In "Salt" all belief must be suspended in order to truly appreciate the film.
Angelina Jolie throws on her normal action woman skills here. I can't say Jolie really shows off her acting chops here. If you want to see Jolie truly act, you have to check out her drama roles. They are the roles that truly show off her talent. In this film, she is just a kick ass woman. Think of Keanu Reeves in "The Matrix" and mix it with Liam Neeson's character in "Taken" and you pretty much have Salt. Liev Schreiber, who despite being a jerk in real life, is actually a great actor and again like Jolie this film didn't show off his true talents. But he did a good job as well with the material he had. As for the rest of the supporting cast, all did a good job for the type of film it is. I have zero complaints in the acting department.
With everything being said and done, I can't knock "Salt" too much because it gave me everything the marketing promised it would. I was entertained for the 105 minute run-time and even though I enjoy to think with my action, I may expect too much from a normal Hollywood director. I totally understand why films like this have average ratings because truly it is an average film but it does get credit for delivering on what it promised. As long as you don't go into "Salt" expecting anything mind-blowing and original than you should enjoy "Salt." If you are a fan of Jolie, especially in the action roles, well this one is a must see for you because like my girlfriend said, "it was awesome for the action and Jolie kicks ass." I think with that being said, if you like action flicks, you can't go wrong but if you want something smart and fresh, skip "Salt" and see "Inception" instead.
MovieManMenzel's final rating for "Salt" is a 7 out of 10. As long as you go into the film not expecting anything other than a normal action flick you should be able to sit back and enjoy the ride!