Angelina Jolie has found her niche: a face-punching, trigger-pulling, boot-in-the-pruney heroin”e” who could use a few calories. As the title character of Evelyn Salt in next year’s Salt— a spy thriller about a CIA agent who may or may not be a Russian spy with an agenda to permanently shorten a US President’s term– Jolie shouldn’t disappoint. The real draw here, however, isn’t Jolie– it’s the return of director Phillip Noyce to the political/espionage/action game.
If the name Phillip Noyce is unfamiliar, it’s because he’s one of those great, competent and solid directors who puts time into a few big-star movies you’ve heard of, then does more personal projects in the off-season. Sure, he was a go-to for a few failed movies in the 90’s (the poopy Sliver and humdrum The Saint), but he also constructed the ultimate action scene of all time in Clear and Present Danger, when Harrison Ford and his crew play an unnerving game of dodge the RPGs. He’s also behind the lower profile but solid and thoughtful films Rabbit-Proof Fence,The Quiet American and Catch a Fire. All I’m trying to say is, the guy knows his political action, and what looks like a pretty standard Jolie-shooting stuff summer film will probably hold a few more taut and well-constructed surprises with Noyce at the helm.
I think it looks like fun. To affirm or deny, check out the trailer below.
6 comments On Trailer Tuesday (Dan’s Pick): Salt
Noyce hasn’t really done anything stellar since “Dead Calm”(a more modern version, but not a remake, of Pokanski’s masterpiece “Knife in the Water”) a very good thriller which put Nicole Kidman, Sam Neill, and Billy Zane all on the map, so to peak. He’s made a couple of decent films while away from Australia- “Patriot Games” and “The Quiet American”. I have still not seen “Catch a Fire” or “Rabbit-Proof Fence”(need to get to those). Btw, I’ll take the car chase and home invasion action sequences from “Patriot Games” over the one you mentioned from “Clear and Present Danger”, but a good one, nonetheless.
Watched the trailer… and honestly I came away not that impressed, especially for a film that is slated for a July 2010 release. We’ve seen Jolie do this type of role in previous films, films that weren’t very good, although there’s no denying her looks.
I think I’ll stay away from this one and instead go attend the more engaging(and probably better) CIA thriller coming out next year, “Green Zone”- directed by Paul Greengrass(GREAT director) and starring Matt Damon(yes, he’s also done the spy-thing a couple of times… he’s just better at it than Jolie, imo).
Yeah, I wouldn’t describe Noyce as stellar, but the dude is competent and assured and when he’s on his game, he’s great. I was going to give a nod to Patriot Games as well, but it’s really the RPG sequence that’s a standout. The dude knows how to edit an action sequence.
I couldn’t agree more about the trailer– it looks standard– I’m betting on the Noyce factor (and the fact that “The Green Zone” trailer is marketed to exploit the Bourne/Greengrass angle– trailers… sheesh!) to make it worth a look.
But why be so exclusive? There’s always room enough for two political thrillers, despite their trailers.
Maybe if she ate a bagel or something with carbs i could actually believe her boney arms could pick up those guns shes totin around..
HAHA! Good point, Danny. I have to agree…not a huge Angelina fan. I think she’s competent, but I don’t understand all the fuss…especially over her looks. And SKG, Paul Greengrass is the man. United 93 was a damn fine movie.
Hey Dan
Hate to tell ya but as much as AJ may be a drug to some men she’s more than likely the female version of hero which is a “heroine”
Whew! Glad you straightened that out.
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