‘SPY KILLER’
Starring: Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Daniel Olbrychski, and Andre Braugher
Directed by: Phillip Noyce
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action
Genre: Espionage Thriller
Running Time: 1 hr. 39 min.
Studio: Columbia Pictures
Release date: July 23rd, 2010
By John Delia
Kicking it up a notch, Angelina Jolie takes on the role of Salt a hard-hitting heart-pounding thriller about espionage on American soil. The film takes off running and never stops even at the very end. It’s an energy boost for action lovers and I for one loved it.
The movies centers on Evelyn Salt, a CIA officer who finds herself on the run when a Russian defector points the finger at her as a spy who is out to kill the Russian President. Taking on most of the branch officers, the FBI and local police she uses here special fighting skills, smarts and experience to elude her hunters and gets away. Claiming her innocents and out to prove it Salt goes undercover looking for the Russian spies that want her and the President of Russia dead. When she comes up with the key to the plan, it’s no turning back till all involved has been taken down.
Jolie is at her best in action films like these where there are guns blazing, martial arts fighting and a suspenseful story that keeps you on the edge of your seat. She knows her character is in jeopardy and she has the acting ability to make Salt believable. Jolie even does most of her stunts including some bare footing on ledges twelve stories up from the ground, hanging onto speeding trucks as they swerve on busy highways and punching out guys three times her weight. She never seems to tire the eyes with her good looks, yet tough demeanor and ferocity when it comes to putting on a good show.
Direction by Phillip Noyce (The Bone Collector, Clear and Present Danger) is no stranger to action films. He maps out a thriller that follows his lead character as she realistically escapes from well guarded buildings, police cars and creates mayhem in Washington DC. His keen sense of placing the camera where it will give the most thrills makes the film awesome to watch.
While Salt isn’t the best film of the summer, it certainly comes close to it. The cast, crew and writers really provide some breath taking thrills that will keep my mind boggling for some time.
The movie is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A thrill a minute and there’s 99 of them. (4.5 of 5)