Salt

With Ricky on vacation, I get to see some grown-up movies!

I took advantage of this freedom to see Angelina Jolie's new movie, Salt. Sometimes writing these reviews without spoilers is extremely difficult. However, I do promise, as always, not to give anything away!

Truth be told, I wasn't always an Angelina fan. There was a time I just found her annoying. I may have loved her movies, but the personal stuff -- she was just trying too hard to be too controversial. My opinion has changed over the years. I know, I know. But really, pitting her up against Jennifer Aniston is like putting a Bengal Tiger in a cage with a Persian kitten. Enough said about that.

If you've seen the trailers and think you know what Salt is all about, you couldn't be more mistaken. This action-packed movie is full of plot twists and turns, keeping the audience guessing. You think you've finally figured it out, and in the next scene find yourself saying "Wha....?" aloud in the theater. Is it remotely realistic? Of course not, it's an action-thriller. Is it full of CGI effects and stunts that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat? Absolutely.

Apparently, Tom Cruise was initially slated to star in the title role, but backed out. Not a loss. After all, who kicks ass better than Angelina? Nobody, male or female. Angelina is the stronger action star, and you needed her to carry this film.

Even though the script is hardly heavy with depth, Angelina manages to give CIA operative Evelyn Salt, accused of being a Russian spy, a certain vulnerability that we don't always see with her action heroines. I did appreciate that in one scene, rather than attempt to go on the run in high heels, she took off her shoes. Although running through city streets barefoot couldn't have been much more comfortable.

The CGI effects and camera shakiness during the fight scenes added to the intensity of the film. Again, realistic? A lone woman fighting her way though heavily trained and armed CIA agents, as well as the Secret Service? Probably not. Then again, spy thrillers are about car chases, blowing things up and kicking tail, not realism.

There were some plot points that didn't quite align. The ending, however, was left wide open for a sequel. Perhaps some of the blanks are to be filled in later, a la the Bourne series. One can only hope. ,I also hope that in the event of a sequel, Salt's character is developed more, so we get more of an idea of what drives her.

Liev Schreiber's performance as Salt's supervisor, Ted Winter, was slightly stiff. Then again, that could have been Winter's nature. I suppose I expected someone more dynamic, but as I've said, it seems the writer was more concerned with the action sequences than character development.

However, Chiwetel Ejiofor was outstanding as Peabody, the CIA "internal affairs" supervisor who pursues Salt, convinced of her guilt. I haven't had the opportunity to see him in many movies. The only other one that I am (very) familiar with is Love, Actually (which happens to be one of my favorites).

Salt is a very entertaining, high-action movie, with an ending that leaves you wanting more. After careful deliberation, I've decided to give it 3-1/2 popcorns.