Film: Salt, Cast: Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, Directed by: Philip Noyce, Duration: 95 minutes, Rating: *  *  * 

It is spy time folks. After Tom Cruise essayed the role of a spy a couple of weeks back in ‘Knight and Day’, this time it is Angelina Jolie stepping into the shoes to do some espionage. The result? An enjoyable pop corn thriller that is good fun while it lasts. Incidentally, Salt, directed by Philip Noyce was written with a male lead in mind and Cruise was supposed to play the role. One must say that the change in gender has effected in a better result.
Evelyn Salt (Jolie) works for the CIA and has an impeccable reputation – so far at least. Just as she is about to go home to have her celebration with her hubby, the news comes that a Russian defector has some important information. According to him, the Russian president is going to be assassinated. What is more, Evelyn Salt is going to be the assassin.
This news sends tremors even though her immediate colleague Ted (Liev Schreiber) is supportive of her, the other (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is gunning for her head. Very soon, Salt is on the run, but the question remains: is she a double agent and will she actually assassinate the President.
As you would expect, there is plenty of action – car chases, blasts, shootouts. The central theme of a spy, double or triple crossing is also engaging to some extent. On the debit side, there are no unforgettable moments as such and the basic premise had ample scope to become a more gripping film. Even then, the film offers you your money’s worth of entertainment.
On the acting front, Liev Schreiber and Chiwetel Ejiofor are serviceable. Angelina Jolie has done action roles before (‘Lara Croft’, ‘Mr and Mrs Smith’, ‘Wanted’) and this one is no different. Yet she brings a certain amount of credibility to her character. In sum, ‘Salt’ goes well with the popcorn.