Starring: Angelina Jolie, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Liev Schrieber

Directed by: Phillip Noyce

Well today, I decided to go to the mall to check out the movie, “Salt”. It is finally here. I did a little shopping for myself. Picked up, “Star Wars: The Force Unleashed” video game that was only 20 dollars, I also picked up the DVD for “Batman: Under the Red Hood” animated movie that just came out, so I’m looking forward to that. I also picked up a music instructional book from Barnes & Noble, a book that teaches how to write songs better and improve your craft. See? I’m getting serious in trying to improve as a musician, I’ll talk more about that another time. Anyway, on with the review:

Plot/Synopsis: CIA Officer, Evelyn Salt (Jolie) is accused of being a Russian Spy, so she is being hunted down by CIA officials and she must try to escape arrest, so she can find her missing husband. There is a project called, “Day X” which is being organized by a Russian that could destroy the United States. There is somebody out there that wants to kill the President, and she is out there to save the President and the United States.

Yes, some of the movie was filmed in Albany, N.Y. Just the car chase scene in the highways. I can see why the film makers were interested in filming this scene in Albany. They needed highway bridges that were right next to each other, which one bridge higher than the other. That way Angelina’s character can jump to one truck to another on a bridge. Albany had cool highway bridges to do that scene with and it worked with the script. That’s why they decided to film the scene in Albany. That car chase scene was a breathtaking edge of your seat ride. I love car chases in action movies but I think this is one of the best car chases I’ve seen in a long time.

Anyway, this is not why I was dying to see the movie. The reason why I was looking forward to it is because, I’m a huge fan of Angelina Jolie. I’ve been a fan of hers way back. Ever since the days when she wasn’t all that popular. Plus, the movie itself looked great to me. And it was great. It’s not only Angelina’s best action film, it’s one of the best action films I’ve seen in a while. Why? It has a good cast. The writing was really good, I loved the plot. They did a good job on the script. The acting was good. You know how most action flicks today, the acting of the cast is terrible? Well the acting isn’t bad in this film at all. NO CGI EFFECTS. People are fed up with CGI in action films. I didn’t see any of that here. Most of the stunts in “Salt”, were done for real. Even Angie herself did most of her own stunts. She even did the truck scenes herself. Except, I’m sure she didn’t jump off a truck and onto another one next to a bridge, I’m sure she had to use stunt double on that one. The music score kept the movie entertaining. Sounds effects were great. Best of all, the film had nonstop action, all the way through.

I wasn’t bored with the film at all. Even though the film is short, it was a perfect action movie all around. I think the best part of the movie was Chiwetel Ejiofor being part of the cast. I think Chiwetel did the best acting. That guy is such an awesome actor, he is so underrated. He will become a recognizable star sooner or later. If you don’t know who Chiwetel Ejiofor is, he too is a martial artist. You might know Chiwetel from the movie, “Red Belt”.

I think there is definitely going to be a sequel to “Salt”, ’cause the ending just left open for another story. Like, the movie just ended right there, not finishing a story. So that’s definitely a “…to be continued”. I’m glad Tom Cruise didn’t star in this flick, ’cause if he never pulled out of the film, it wouldn’t be as successful. Angie was a perfect choice. I like Angie in action movies and I like her in drama films as well. Angie can do any genre that throws at her. Like her or not, she’s a talented actress and can do everything.

Score for “Salt” = **** (4 stars in “excellent”)

Kev