If you’re expecting a taut thriller with a super sexy Angelina Jolie kicking butt, you can let that vision go.  What ‘Salt’ is – is Angelina at her kick ass best and leaving the concept of sexiness in the rear view mirror.  In fact, aside from the sexy split skirt she sports in the opening interrogation scene, there isn’t another single memorable portion of the film that highlights or even accessorizes with her looks.  Therein lies the genius of making a great suspense-thriller; put your best looking offering in the role (which was offered first to Tom Cruise), and let the story and action work for itself.

Angelina Jolie (Gia, Hackers) portrays Evelyn Salt, a sharp-as-a-tack CIA officer who at the end of her shift wants nothing more than to get home to her husband and celebrate their first anniversary when fate, in the form of a covert Russian spy, derails her life and brings her to grips with her true self, her true identity, and more importantly – her purpose for existing.  The Russian spy, Orlov (played very eerily and almost David Koresh cult-like by Daniel Olbrychski), plants the idea to Salt and her CIA colleagues that she is a Russian spy whose mission is to kill the Russian President.  The notion of Salt actually being an enemy of The State should be foreign to her CIA pals, but Orlov’s story echoes elements of truth and is intermixed with tales of a top secret Russian program to create ‘sleepers’ like Salt whose job is to infiltrate the highest ranks of US government and wait for a ‘calling to strike.’  And strike she does!  From her daring escape away from CIA custody (this is a 10 story federal building mind you), to an intricate execution of a bombing to ensnare a target, Salt plays no games and takes no prisoners.  Watching this film, I started to grow resentful of the condition of U.S. anti-terror and national security operations.  Our best and brightest fall like dominoes to a single Russian spy.  Salt manages to get into places and escape from situations that are next to impossible and our government efforts to stop her made us look like ‘monkeys f$cking a football.’  It’s okay to run amok while our operatives chase, but escaping custody and capture every single time..geez.

Salt’s ‘Whodini’ act aside, an impressive standout in this film is Liev Schreiber (Kate & Leopold, X-Men Origins-Wolverine), who portrays Salt’s boss Ted Winter.  Screenwriter Kurt Wimmer (Equilibrium) deserves most of the credit for the dialogue, but Liev’s style makes the sharp wit and commanding presence of the character really play well.  Hats off to one of my favorite spy-thriller Director’s, Phillip Noyce (Patriot Games, The Saint).  With Salt, he was given a wider range than just the crisp thriller – this time he got continuous action sequences and performed admirably.  The frame work of Salt’s escape from NYPD’s finest was a real rush.  While on the subject, why would the U.S. government allow the NYPD to cuff and transport one of the wiliest covert operatives?  It doesn’t take an early screening of the film for you to know how that perp ride is going to end.

Still, what makes Salt enjoyable is not just the film being an adrenaline ride; it’s the attention to detail present throughout the movie and even in the characters.  As each character is discovered by the audience, you start to become suspicious of everyone you see.  If the secret Russian program has spies planted in the U.S. from the ages of 3 and up – almost anyone could be a sleeper and not know it.  Every person you meet could be an ally or an adversary and I confess, I was guessing throughout the film and enjoying discovering who was and who wasn’t.  The detail doesn’t stop at characters – it extends to production design.  The scenes involving the White House were some of the most intricate and explorative views I’ve ever witnessed on screen.  At one point you’ll see 3 of the top side levels (with individual rooms) and a sub-level that you’ve only heard about in conspiracy theories.   I questioned how the filmmakers got that level of detail; private access to shoot in the White House (schaa…as if!), or most likely liberties taken from sketches allowed during public tours.

‘Salt’ won’t redefine Jolie’s career, and it won’t be known as one of her sexy thrillers, but it will keep her viable as an action star – and box office willing, will spawn Salt 2 which is clearly a hole left open at the films conclusion.  Go see it to watch a great escape artist and a cunning covert operative work and you’ll be pleasantly satisfied.   After you’ve exhaled from the finale and walk towards the theater exit – ask yourself, what happened to Evelyn’s dog?

Rating: ★★★☆☆ 

If you haven’t seen the previews for this all over the television or heard that this was written for Brad Pitt who turned it down and then rewritten fro Angelina, well get your head out of you know where.

Atomic Popcorn has the privilege of offering up to you all Columbia Picture’s latest action/thriller – Salt! We will be screening the film on Tuesday, July 20th in Baltimore and we have room for 100 people! That is 50 passes for two of you.

Synopsis:

Angelina Jolie stars in Salt, a contemporary action thriller from Columbia Pictures. As a CIA officer, Evelyn Salt (Jolie) swore an oath to duty, honor and country. Her loyalty will be tested when a defector accuses her of being a Russian spy. Salt goes on the run, using all her skills and years of experience as a covert operative to elude capture. Salt’s efforts to prove her innocence only serve to cast doubt on her motives, as the hunt to uncover the truth behind her identity continues and the question remains: “Who Is Salt?”

Trailer:

How to Enter:

1. Fill out a form below. The first 50 person to fill out the form will be taken. INCLUDE A WORKING EMAIL

The only rule is that we will not be allowing multiple signups from the same family for our screenings any longer. You have 1 admit-two pass per family.

THIS SCREENING IS NOW FULL

Make sure you check out our other free screenings in the Baltimore Area!

A rabid photog on the set of Angelina Jolie’s upcoming spy thriller, Salt, snagged some pics of Jolie. I’m not going to lie to you. They’re not really exciting but even lame-ish pics of Ms. Jolie are better than having no pics of the Lipped One.

Salt features Jolie (Wanted, Changeling) as a spy who is desperate to clear her name in the face of double-agent allegations.

The film also stars Liev Schreiber and Chiwetel Ejiofor with Phillip Noyce directing.

Salt hits theaters July of 2010.

My face is melting.

Remember all those rumors last year about Megan Fox taking the reigns from Angelina Jolie in the Tomb Raider franchise? If you do, I bet you’ll also remember that those were quickly debunked from the Fox camp. Well now, it looks like that Jolie is officially out as Lara Croft, according to Tomb Raider 3 producer Dan Lin who spoke at the U.S. premiere of Terminator Salvation. “We’re rebooting Lara Croft. It’s a great origin story that we’re going to tell. Very character-oriented -I would say more realistic than the past movies.” Lin said, adding that he was looking for a “younger Lara Croft.”

“I think for me the Lara Croft games and movies have gone a little too action-oriented. I wanted to have action, but with character.”

Don’t feel too bad for Angelina Jolie. Since her performance in Wanted made her a bona fide super-heroine, she was picked for the lead in the upcoming spy thriller Salt over Tom Cruise and has been connected to Wanted 2.

Plus she’s hot.