Skip to main content
Close

Salt: Just the Right Seasoning for Scrumptious Summer Fun

By Megan Lane · July 26, 2010

Here it comes. Words I never thought would escape my mouth. Salt was actually quite good. Don't worry, my temperature is 98.6. Keep reading.

Angelina Jolie plays the title character, Evelyn Salt, a CIA agent accused of being a Russian spy by a defector. Thinking her cover is blown, Salt goes on the run, desperately trying to find her husband, or assassinate the President of Russia. You'll just have to see it to find out.

I'm not going to go into a lot of plot analysis, simply because if you haven't seen the movie, the spoilers start approximately twenty minutes in. However, the story is constantly moving and evolving, keeping the audience restlessly wondering what Evelyn Salt is going to do next. And trust me when I say, where we end up is definitely not expected.

Even though the script was a straight action film, I didn't find myself missing the comedic element – the story was enough to keep me riveted. Writer Kurt Wimmer creates a unique world in which the Russians are still plotting against the United States years after we think the Cold War is over. The film is almost reminiscent of days past as we revisit a villain we haven't heard from in over a decade. May I say that it's kind of nice to be fighting an organized country again. There's something more suspenseful and terrifying about the Russians versus our 21st Century villains (i.e. the Middle East). Maybe it's the accent, not sure.

To go along with an exhilarating plot, Director Phillip Noyce brought thrilling action sequences that were creative and starkly unbelievable, yet they still keep you on the edge of your seat. Just like any big action movie, there are several moments in which I thought the phrase, "Gee, I'm so glad that ___ happened right at that moment." But I mean all this in a good way. It was exactly what you expect from an action movie. Seriously, this is a compliment. It looked really cool.

What makes Salt different from movies with similar plots like The Bourne Identity is the simple fact that Salt is a woman. We don't typically see a female lead in an action movie and even less often is there a female lead in an action movie that is not supported or under the wing of her male co-star. And as NPR was so kind to let me know, Salt was actually written for none other than a Mr. Tom Cruise. Kudos to the malleability of gender roles in films!

Angelina Jolie manages to hold this flick together completely on her own. In Wanted, Angelina Jolie looked so emaciated that it was completely mind-boggling for her to so much as lift a glock, much less shoot it. However, this time around she either bulked up or the costume department kept her in baggy enough clothes. I actually bought her as an action hero who could take down anywhere between 12 and 27 specials agents at a time. Her performance didn't suffer either. Jolie, who I'd love to just call a home-wrecker and call it a day (GO TEAM ANISTON!), gave a great performance and kept audiences guessing her true intentions as much as the actual plot.

All in all, Salt was incredibly enjoyable. Other reviews may be coming back mixed, but there's no doubt in my mind that this is a action-packed, plot driven, fun summer flick that you should definitely consider seeing. Also, Salt's dog looks just like my dog.

3 out of 4 savory snacks.