(posted August 6th, 2010)
One of the most overused responses to criticisms of mainstream blockbuster movies is "Can't it just be fun?" Yes, is my response, yes it can just be fun but that doesn't mean it needs to be mindless and insult the audience's intelligence. This has really become an issue for me since last summer's piece of absolute childish garbage that is more popularly known as "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen." Just because you have an endless budget and make a lot of explosions, it doesn't give the studios the right to just plop something, anything, on the screen.
I say all of this because "Salt" is a perfect example of the exception to this rule. This film is fun. Period. The action is exciting, the plot is smart but not overindulgent and the movie is accessible for all audiences. I love a movie that makes me think, that challenges me, that even disturbs me but I don't always want that. I love to go to the theatre and just have fun. "Salt" provided this for me. It is a wonderfully crafted summer action flick.
This script has been circling Hollywood for a couple of years and Tom Cruise was attached to the lead role for the majority of that time. After a couple director and script changes, Cruise dropped out and director Phillip Noyce ("Patriot Games") took the helm. His first major decision was that he wanted to put Angelina Jolie as the title character. This, in hindsight, was the best move he could have made. Noyce's direction with the execution of the superb cast is what makes "Salt" work.
Evelyn Salt is a complex character who leaves the audience guessing the entire film. As the tagline to the marketing said, "Who is Salt?", and you don't get the answer to that question until the end of the film. Jolie embodies this character to perfection. She brings a humanity to a person who does horrible things without us understanding her motivation. There are also few female leads in the industry today that could pull off what this role requires, both emotional and especially physically. She pulls off some action in this film that seems comparable to the footage I've seen of the upcoming "ultimate" action flick, "The Expendables." I know that she gets a lot of flack from the public for her personal life, but as an actor, she represents the strong image of a woman very well and I don't know if she gets enough credit for that.
Rounding out the strong three leads of this cast is Liev Schreiber ("X-Men: Wolverine") as Salt's CIA partner, Ted Winter and the underrated Chiwetel Ejiofor ("American Gangster") as the man chasing her on the run. These two fine actors bring a respectable performance to their characters that could easily have been phoned in by any other actor out there today. At the film's panel at Comic-Con, Noyce raved about the only reason this film truly succeeds is because of the performance of his actors. I have to wholeheartedly agree.
The storyline has the basic outline that has been seen before with a tale of spies, the government, double agents, etc., except this has a new take and refreshing spin on what could have been a too predictable of an outcome. Its not too complicated or challenging in anyway but that allows any and everyone who watches this movie to enjoy it. You will see a few things coming here and there but that is why you just sit in your seat and have a good time.
If you just need a two hour escape from your hectic life or want a quick thrill, "Salt" will not bore you. It is not of the the Top 10 films of the year, even in a weaker year, but it is not a complete waste of time or money. In these days, that can be all we ask for sometimes.
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INCEPTION
(posted July 18th, 2010)
There are not many studios, directors or actors that we can depend upon these days to always put out quality material. Pixar used to be the only one that came to mind but this past weekend I was reminded of one blaring omission I was making, director Christopher Nolan.
Ever since “Memento”, every film Nolan has directed has not been without considerable creativity and effort. Even his comic book adaptations (“Batman Begins” and “The Dark Knight”) have been groundbreaking pieces of cinema. He doesn’t take any easy ways out or use any cheap gimmicks. “Inception” is his most ambitious project to date and without a doubt, also his most successful. Nolan has been working on this script for over 10 years and has used his experience from making his other films, to properly prepare himself for this undertaking.
“Inception” is really a heist film at its core. What makes this one different is that it is centered around the world of dreams. Now, it is best to go into this film knowing as little as possible, so I will not really be writing a synopsis in this review. What I can tell you is that there is not one aspect to this film that I would call weak. If anything, some of the acting performances could have been stronger, knowing the capability of the cast, but none were so bad that they were a distraction.
Leonardo DiCaprio was solid but I would have loved to see a bit more mystery from his character. He had a tendency to overexplain what was happening. Ellen Page held her own as her character serves as the guide for the audience. Joseph Gordon-Levitt definitely looks dapper the entire film but I wish his performance was just as smooth. I love all three of those actors but they were all upstaged by one tremendous performance. It was from a British actor named Tom Hardy. Hardy’s breakout role was in a movie called “Bronson” from a couple years ago. Keep your eye on this actor because he has a very strong future.
Visually, this film is breathtaking. Similar to “The Dark Knight”, Nolan uses the camera perfectly to allow the audience to immerse themselves in this world. This is particularly vital since much of the story takes place in the dream world. He uses aerial shots to overview the scene and his gorgeous setting of the camera depending upon the situation is awe-inspiring. If anything, the visual landscape could have been a bit grittier at times, much like “Memento”, but my guess is that the studio wouldn’t allow that for such a big picture.
The running time is around 2 and 1/2 hours but you would never know it. You are sucked in from the beginning and you do not want to leave the ride. At the screening I attended, you could feel the connection the audience had with the film and when it ended, there was a pause and then a huge ovation. I have never felt a buzz from a group of people like I did while leaving this movie.
“Inception”, along with “Winter’s Bone” (a film I’ll write about soon), are the clear best pictures of the year so far. In my opinion, they are two of the best from the last 10 years. In many ways, “Inception” is the perfect movie. It is creative, beautiful, exciting, smart, intense and accessible. This is an example of why I love film. It is also an example of why I am not ok with movies like “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen”. Just because a movie has a huge budget, a lot of explosions, or based on a comic book, it doesn’t mean it can just be mindless and lazy. Nolan knows this and I believe his goal is to prove that fact with every film he does.
Needless to say, if you see any movie in the theater this year, you must go see “Inception”. I realize I have raised expectations here but I have never believed in a film being able to exceed those expectations more. Christopher Nolan is the best director working today and after I see this movie several more times, my countdown will begin to his next film.
