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A New York media guy who's seen Phillip Noyce's Salt (Columbia, 7.23) says it "plays like gangbusters. It's a thoroughly entertaining piece of popcorn that may very well launch a new franchise for Angelina Jolie (forget those horrible Tomb Raider abominations -- this really is her Bourne).

"Clearly it's more accessible than Inception and goes down a whole lot more easily (not to mention it's at least 30 minutes shorter). That said if I had to guess both Sony and WB will be quite happy with what they get back on these. Inception will no doubt be the cool film to see this summer, but Salt might be the most fun."

Well and good, but this guy has one of those spirited buoyant personalities. I'd like to find a Salt snitch with a brainy-but-gloomy thing going on. You know...a shlub who wears khakis and flannel shirts with a vaguely morose, Woody Allen-ish attitude. If a guy like that thinks Salt is the shit, then I'll feel 100% comfortable.

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on July 8, 2010 at 12:48 PM

comment #1

Deathtongue_Groupie says ...

Yes, but how does it play by itself? The comparison to INCEPTION tells me nothing because everyone already understands these are entirely different race cars: Grand Prix to NASCAR (and I'm sure everyone can figure out which is which - although someone might want to help DZ).

What I really want to know about SALT is how good is the script, how tight the filmmaking? Is this Noyce at his best (DEAD CALM, CLEAR & PRESENT DANGER) or Noyce not being able to overcome studio pitfalls (THE SAINT, SLIVER)?

Posted by Deathtongue_Groupie at July 8, 2010 1:18 PM

comment #2

The Winchester says ...

It still doesn't change the fact that their "Salt Must Die" viral campaign is one of the dumber things ever written on the side of a bus.

Posted by The Winchester at July 8, 2010 1:36 PM

comment #3

Holy Spokes says ...

Will you cut and paste the schlub's review also?

Posted by Holy Spokes at July 8, 2010 1:56 PM

comment #4

DeeZee says ...

Clips for Salt.

Posted by DeeZee at July 8, 2010 1:57 PM

comment #5

Jonathan Spuij says ...

I only hope for Jolie that this franchise doesn't go the same route Wanted went. It looks like a fun film and perhaps more than that, and Jolie is still the biggest female action-star ever.

Posted by Jonathan Spuij at July 8, 2010 2:03 PM

comment #6

great scott says ...

SALT is going to be huge. Halle Berry is already set to star in a ripoff called PEPPER.

Posted by great scott at July 8, 2010 2:10 PM

comment #7

mrksltsky says ...

Pretty bad title for a movie that's not about, like... salt.

Posted by mrksltsky at July 8, 2010 2:10 PM

comment #8

Sams says ...

Since I'm more the buoyant type I guess I don't have to hear from Woody Allen.

Posted by Sams at July 8, 2010 2:18 PM

comment #9

dayXexists says ...

I'm so excited for SALT. I really hope it is good. I don't know why the majority around industry sites are so negative about it. And I really don't like how people keep trying to pit it against Inception. Both are going to be awesome, they are the only movies I've looked forward to all summer actually.

But I will admit, I hate the title of the movie. They really could have come up with something better, more creative.

Posted by dayXexists at July 8, 2010 2:52 PM

comment #10

zombiestrike says ...

I watched clips on yahoo, and this thing looks unbearable. It's the little moments -- like that bit where Angelina Jolie turns a corner and is cut off by a closing security door, and it looks like A) the door is made of particle board and has the weight of a paper plate and B) Jolie has checked out and can't be bothered to sell the moment. Covering the camera with her panties? Jesus. She couldn't use that horrible wig? Or what about just her jacket? The set for the CIA looks unbelievable and inauthentic. Chiwetel Ejiofor and Liev Schreiber seem like they're sleepwalking. I could go on and on. I'm unimpressed. I just don't buy that this is strong filmmaking and a promising summer prospect.

Posted by zombiestrike at July 8, 2010 2:53 PM

comment #11

Rusty Never Sleeps says ...

You know, Jeff, you're only a half-cynic. What's the point of that -- so you can go on Fox News and they don't have to hire anyone to oppose you because you'll oppose yourself? Either go full-cynic (in which case you'll have to find another line of work) or Mary Poppins all the time. It's tiresome always trying to find some nit to pick, just because I don't know why. I rented Brooklyn's Finest from Redbox and it wasn't worth a dollar. Like that.

Posted by Rusty Never Sleeps at July 8, 2010 3:08 PM

comment #12

dayXexists says ...

4 awesome new TV Spots as well:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_lkrb5UjWU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMCWRfBzBiw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xq7bDNwHBQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l73knfmqnEc

Posted by dayXexists at July 8, 2010 3:22 PM

comment #13

HanekeFanBoyNumberOne says ...

I just finished the script- it's garbage. It's not so much a spy thriller as it is an action-adventure not rooted in this world. Everything about it is on-the-nose, which makes it feel lazy and uninspired (or inspired by better films of the genre, primarily Bourne). I hoped Noyce would change this but the trailers confirm he didn't. It'll go down easy and won't leave much of a mark.

It'll be interesting to see how the studio turns this into a franchise, considering the premise is pretty much played out by the climax. Sad to say but if the film is true to the script, then Wanted will have had better action sequences.

Why is it that all of these recent "spy thrillers" are not really about spies but assassins? Anyone else feel this way?

Posted by HanekeFanBoyNumberOne at July 8, 2010 3:24 PM

comment #14

Sams says ...

Jeff, Will you be giving us an update on how they're tracking? After such a dry Summer, finally two weeks with back to back good blockbusters.

Posted by Sams at July 8, 2010 3:25 PM

comment #15

dayXexists says ...

Seems like a few of the people around here have gotten an axe to grind against Salt. Wherever Jolie is, there will be haters though. I really doubt the script is "garbage". I've heard from several people who read it that it's quite good.

Posted by dayXexists at July 8, 2010 3:53 PM

comment #16

Alboone says ...

Going by the trailers Salt looks too generic. We've seen it all before. It doesn't have that air of mystery like Inception does. Gonna pass on Salt. With Inception I'm there opening weekend.

Posted by Alboone at July 8, 2010 4:08 PM

comment #17

dinovelvet says ...

Can't we just watch the freakin' thing, or do we have to declares ourselves on either Team Inception or Team Salt? I'm sure both films will be enjoyable. I don't know what this mentality of pitting (jolie-ing?) these two films against each other is all about.

Posted by dinovelvet at July 8, 2010 6:05 PM

comment #18

Sams says ...

That was spot on dinovelvet. It's like watching a playground game that's tiresome for everyone else. And probably what we would have been seeing a lot of if the ill-advised Futures Exchange actually got off the ground.

Posted by Sams at July 8, 2010 6:29 PM

comment #19

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Posted by mark at July 8, 2010 9:05 PM

comment #20

Andrea says ...

ENOUGH ALREADY!

Salt this.

Inception that.

Nolan this.

Fincher that.

You've become a predictable hack Wells. You've sold out.

You have a movie coming out tomorrow at 95% at Rotten Tomatoes, being called on of the better American movies on family in recent years, and feautres 3 likely Oscar nominated performance and quite possibly setting up a co star vs co star Best Actress battle featuring 2 of Oscars most overdue and you virtually ignore it.

Shame on you.

Posted by Andrea at July 8, 2010 11:29 PM

comment #21

Bob Violence says ...

I hope they both tank

Posted by Bob Violence at July 9, 2010 8:15 AM

comment #22

The Winchester says ...

Despicable Me will have 3 nominated performances? Impressive. I wondered what those little yellow guys were about.

Posted by The Winchester at July 9, 2010 8:24 AM

comment #23

Floyd Thursby says ...

"I'd like to find a Salt snitch with a brainy-but-gloomy thing going on. You know...a shlub who wears khakis and flannel shirts with a vaguely morose, Woody Allen-ish attitude."

Would you settle for Lance Daly?

Posted by Floyd Thursby at July 9, 2010 9:03 AM

comment #24

raygo says ...

Cue the Salt banner ads.

Posted by raygo at July 9, 2010 7:11 PM

Posted by mbtmbt at July 20, 2010 8:49 PM

comment #26

kalaokeyer says ...

You know...a shlub who wears khakis and flannel shirts with a vaguely morose, Woody Allen-ish attitude. If a guy like that thinks Salt is the shit, then I'll feel 100% comfortable.

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Posted by kalaokeyer at October 19, 2010 9:23 PM

comment #27