Salt – Blu-ray Review

The Film:

The tagline for the film was Who is Salt? Let me ask this: what do you think Salt should have been?

But before I answer that question, Salt is very simple – and that’s not a bad thing – an action flick that showcases real stunts over CG and also some of writer Kurt Wimmer’s favorite things: insubordinate employees. Jolie has been severely typecast as an action heroine, from Tomb Raider to Mr. and Mrs. Smith to Wanted, and now this, and while the placement of her character and the film is in a post-Bourne world, Salt is one of her better action roles. It’s her show, even though I really like Chiwetel Ejiofor and Liev Schrieber, they’re given little to do. Why are all Nikolia’s, Russian double-crossing agents? So anyway, as an action movie, it really entertains on basic levels.

At any one twist, the film could end, and sure, it is preposterous, but I’m glad we get a little old fashioned Cold War spy/nuclear war plot, instead of those tiring terrorists. The twists do get more obvious, yet that’s not really a deal-breaker. The film stumbles when it has to explain itself, especially with the flashbacks and even the opening interrogation scene. It’s long-winded; less is more. But going back to my question of what Salt should have been, as decent as it is, for what it is, I had this feeling that Salt should have been developed for television. With the absence of Alias, Salt would have been perfect for syndication, especially since the film just sort of ends. It felt episodic,  Wimmer’s script could have been retooled for a pilot, plus a handful of episodes.

That might sound like I’m slighting it, but Salt is a basic, no-frills action film, a sister to Wimmer’s Equilibrium and the better half of Ultra Violet. Salt is breezy fun, but flawed fun.

The Blu-ray:

Audio/Video: Sony offers us a great HD presentation. Audio-wise, which is in DTS, is very dynamic. Loud, constant activity in the speakers, deep bass, everything we love about action films. While the transfer doesn’t ‘wow’, it’s very good. Clarity is high, definition detailed, but most might notice it just doesn’t sparkle in HD. Oh well. It’s still great, minimal complaints aside.

Two Versions of the Film: The packing and commercials sure have been promoting this aspect of the disc. So what’s good? Well, without spoiling it all for you, the difference between these two cuts and the theatrical are just mere minutes. But one version reshuffles a few scenes, while adding a new ending. The other has a few more new scenes and a voiceover that adds closure to the character. Luckily, Sony offers a neat little icon so you know what’s new in these cuts. These versions make the film a little to one-off, which backfires on a potential franchise. Too each their own, but I still enjoy the theatrical cut.

Commentary: Director Phillip Noyce goes solo here, well, until the very end of the track when Effects Supervisor Robert Grasmere and Music Editor Joey Rand. The track is really informative, covering the origin of the film, but Noyce relates some family history and how they mingled into the film. It’s one of the better tracks in a long while.

All extras are in HD.

Spy Cam: A picture-in-picture track that is filled with interviews, behind-the-scenes, sketches, digital tests, making for a further disection into the film. Good stuff, for a P-i-P.

The Ultimate Female Action Hero: All Jolie, all the time in this featurette. Covers her stunt work and character.

The Real Agents: I dug this piece. It has interviews with retired Cold Warriors and their stories. The political intrigue withstanding, it’s a great historical perspective rarely given.

“The Treatment” Radio Interview With Phillip Noyce: Critic Elvis Mitchell chats with director Noyce for a solid interview, adding to the great commentary.

Salt: Declassified: Acts like a making-of feature with a look into all aspects of the film and its making. Might seem EPK, but it’s far more in-depth.

The rest of the extras are shorter and to the point in The Looks of Evelyn Salt that covers Jolie’s various looks/appearances; The Modern Master of the Political Thriller that has another interview with Noyce and his ideas behind the films he makes; Creating a New Reality looks at the digital FX; and rounding out the extras are Trailers and BD-Live features.

Conclusion: A quick little action film with a slew of great extras.

The Film: Rating:

The Blu-ray: Rating: