Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action.
Directed by Phillip Noyce (The Bone Collector, Clear and Present Danger, Patriot Games)
Starring Angelina Jolie and Liev Schreiber
Salt is no Bourne…but it’s still very entertaining.
Evelyn Salt (Angelina Jolie) is a CIA agent and highly respected by everyone, including her boss, Ted Winter (Liev Schreiber). Out of the blue, a Russian spy walks into their offices and offers a vital piece of information: the President of Russia will be assassinated during his forthcoming visit to New York City to attend the funeral of the recently deceased U.S. Vice President. The name of the assassin: Evelyn Salt. Concerned about the safety of her husband, who she cannot contact, she goes on the run. Winter refuses to accept that she is a mole or a double agent but her actions begin to raise doubts. Just who is Evelyn Salt and what is she planning?
I was pleasantly surprised by Salt. Maybe it was because I didn’t have the highest expectations or maybe because it really was a good action movie. And that action was non-stop. Between the fights, car chases, gun play and stuff exploding, I was on the edge of my seat for most of the film.
Angelina Jolie and Liev Schreiber are perfect in their roles. This is not their first attempt in the action genre and I hope it’s not their last. The same can be true of director Phillip Noyce.
The only negative comment I have about Salt was the plot twist was way too easy to figure out. So instead of a big “Oh wow”, it was more like “Oh ok”.
With all the action, I can easily overlook the simplicity of the story and give the film a Rental…a high Rental.
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
This one should be fine for most teenagers. There are no sex/nudity scenes (there is one scene where Jolie is in her bra and panties, but noting is really shown).
Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):
Q: What was the theme (or the message) of this movie?
A: As is typical of a spy movie, nothing is as it seems. In fact, that element plays into the theme of this movie: Who are we, really? And just as important, do we have control of our actions?
Q: How should we – as serious Christ-followers — react to this movie?
A: Throughout the movie, Salt struggles to understand who she really is, where she came from, what she’s supposed to do, who she actually works for, and whether or not the rumors about her are true. Sometimes, our lives can reflect her confusion.
When we’re confused about our identity, it’s easy to become confused about our purpose. If we listen to our enemy Satan, we’re told that we are worthless and unforgiveable. If those messages creep into our heart, it’s easy to start living them out.
The truth is, Christians belong to God because of Jesus’ love and sacrifice. Because He loves us, He clearly describes the life we are to live, how we are to live it, and who we are to live it for. Check it out in Galatians 5:19-25.19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. When we know whose we are, we can truly know ourselves, and what our purpose is.
Q: How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
A: We need to make sure that we are in line with God’s Holy Spirit in everything we do. We absolutely must understand that our identity is wrapped up in Christ. If we understand that truth, our life begins to produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
We don’t need to be confused about what our lives are supposed to be about. We need to work hard to produce the fruit of the Spirit.
