Salt (Blu-ray)

Angelina Jolie stars as Evelyn Salt, a highly skilled and highly respected CIA agent. Forced to conduct a routine, end of the day interrogation with a supposed Russian spy, Evelyn is accused of being an undercover Russian operative who intends to assassinate the Russian president. With her co-workers suspicious and her husband in danger, Evelyn flees the CIA headquarters and goes on the run in an effort to clear her name and protect her man.

With Bourne pumping some much-needed adrenaline back into the spy thriller, and with the Bond reboot wisely following suit, it’s only fair that the gals should now be given a crack of the whip and the chance to play with fancy gadgets, jump onto speeding trucks and kick all manner of government butt (indeed, the film was originally written with Tom Cruise in mind for the lead, but was changed at the last minute after he backed out). Who better to play an ass-kicking and ambiguous CIA operative and possible Russian spy than Jolie, and while these days the super-svelte and plastic-faced actress looks like she couldn’t fight her way out of a paper bag, she’s clearly having a ball as the no-nonsense amalgamation MacGyver and Bourne (only a lot more pouty).

While it’s not the smartest or indeed most original espionage thrill-ride you’re likely to see, Salt does deliver a number of heart-pounding sequences and a breathless pace, and it doesn’t look too shabby in hi-definition either.

The film’s picture is generally sharp, striking and sumptuous, revealing fine detail (beads of sweat are as clear as day, as are the wrinkles in Jolie’s plump lips), natural tones and excellent contrast. The picture is a little soft at times, and there is some grain sprinkled throughout, but Sony’s disc is generally impressive on the visuals front.

No complaints with the audio, which consists of clear dialogue from the central speakers and an exhilarating bombardment of aural delights from the rear speakers during the more action-packed sequences.

The Blu-ray’s special features are pretty darn impressive too, and include three cuts of the film (‘theatrical’, ‘extended’ and ‘director’s’ cut), plus an enlightening filmmakers’ commentary, a worthwhile ‘PIP’ feature which integrates interview and behind the scenes footage with the movie, and a number of insightful and entertaining featurettes covering various aspects of the production.

Overall verdict: An entertaining spy thriller and a fine Blu-ray package.

Special Features:
Movie IQ
‘The Ultimate Female Action Hero’ Fetaurette
‘The Real Agents’ Featurette
‘Spy Disguise: The Looks of Evelyn Salt’ Featurette
‘The Modern Master of the Political Thriller: Phillip Noyce’ Featurette
‘False Identity: Creating A New Reality’ Featurette
Radio Interview with Phillip Noyce
‘SALT: Declassified’ Featurette
Filmmakers' Commentary
Spy Cam: Picture-in-Picture

Reviewer: Lee Griffiths