Rewritten ‘Salt’ still a disappointment!

by Judy Marker, MCJ Movie Critic

When Kurt Wimmer (“Law Abiding Citizen”) wrote the screenplay for the present-day spy thriller “Salt” he had just one superstar in mind for the lead role, Tom Cruise. When Cruise saw the script he immediately declined the opportunity.

Fearing he night be type-casted if he took the role, Cruise whose resume includes the blockbuster “Mission Impossible” franchise as the biggest action star of the time was looking for a new direction.

Unable to find a proper replacement for Cruise, “Salt” was shopped around Hollywood in 2008 without success. That is until Angelina Jolie (“Mr. and Mrs. Smith”) heard about it. The Oscar-winning actress approached Wimmer and offered her services.

Absent from the big screen for more than a year, “Salt” would give her a new opportunity to show off her vast talents. Wimmer agreed and quickly the role of Edwin A. “Salt” was rewritten to star a female, Evelyn Salt.

Jolie worked with director Phillip Noyce (“The Bone Collector”) in doing more than half her own stunts and learning Russian as part of her lines. She also trained for more than three months to get ready for the filming.

We find Salt, one of the CIA’s top agents in New York City. Highly respected and admired by her associates, her life quickly changes when while questioning a Russian defector named Orlov (Daniel Olbrychski), he tells her associates she is a double agent.

Without a chance to prove her innocence Salt bolts for her safety and the chase is on. Can she save herself? Will she find the real spy or is she the spy? Haven’t you seen this story before?

Her fellow CIA agents Ted Winter (Liev Schreiber “Repo Men”) and Peabody (Chiwetel Ejiofor “Serenity”) don’t know what to think. Can they see the truth?

Loaded with almost nonstop chase scenes “Salt” is a fast-paced 90-minute thriller. Jolie does some amazing stunts and her fine acting will really amaze you.

The big problem with “Salt” is that we have seen this type of spy thriller numerous times before. From “No Way Out” to “From Russia With Love” many of these films closely resemble one another.

The only difference here is Jolie who does indeed live up to top billing. “Salt” is rated “PG-13” for intense sequences of violence and action and you might want to see some of those stunts again.

With that in mind “Salt” receives my rating of just “2-J’s/Wait for DVD.” It will be worth the wait.