Salt

In many ways, Salt is the opposite of Inception: a film where big stunts and effects are the stars. However, this film has a few surprises to the point where it can be considered “Inception for non-thinkers.”

The salt of the film is not a condiment, but Evelyn Salt (Angelina Jolie), a CIA operative with an arachnologist husband and good standing in the agency. One day, she stays late to interrogate Russian agent Orlov (Daniel Olbrychski). Claiming to be dying, Orlov tells Salt of a conspiracy involving KGB sleeper agents to start World War III. One such agent will trigger the conspiracy by assassinating the (fictional) Russian President at the (fictional) U.S. Vice-President’s funeral.

When Orlov names Salt as the aforementioned agent, ONCIX agent Peabody (Chiwetel Ejiofor) immediately pursues her, while agent Ted Winter (Live Schrieber) tries to reason with Peabody. Of course, there’s another reason why Winter’s interested in helping Salt, but that’s a spoiler.

At times, Salt herself is convincingly desperate, while at others, she’s frustratingly chaotic evil. Some last act plot developments provide the surprises that redeem the latter a bit; however, a little more foreshadowing of her true intentions would’ve been nice.

There’s quite a bit of nice action scenes, which director Phillip Noyce (Patriot Games) has effective realized. And they help distract one from any story flaws. Yes, it’s just like the real spice, and that’s what makes it a good summer flick.