Blu-ray Movie Reviews

Sony Movie •• Picture ••• Sound ••• Extras •••

Coming across like a Bourne wannabe that also steals a lot from Bond, Salt tells of Soviet sleeper spies attempting to assassinate the Russian president, blow up the world, and generally keep you from falling asleep. Rarely resting from all its rushing around, and flashing Angelina Jolie's bod in substitution for sensuality or mood, Salt could use more spice, taste, and flavor.

The 2.40:1 picture on Blu-ray does show every strand of Jolie's (bad) wigs as well as the full texture of her silky skin. Images also boast the richest blacks and brilliant whites. However, the first half of Salt has an overexposed, yellow/gray/greenish look; combined with the even lighting and shallow focus, it makes figures seem flat. The second half adds richer tones, more modeled lighting, and deeper compositions, but the picture overall remains lacking in dimensionality. Meanwhile, the (incredibly dull and bassy) music pounds constantly from all channels in the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack as motorbikes and cars thunder along. Although effects are well placed, there's surprisingly little panning for this kind of action flick.

In addition to the theatrical version, you get an unrated and barely extended cut and a 4-minutes-longer director's cut. The commentary by said director, Phillip Noyce, is far more interesting and thoughtful than the film, divulging real-life, stranger-than-fiction spy secrets. You can also view Salt via PIP (where the director, cast, and crew fill in the production background) or movieIQ (which lists their screen credits). Featurettes are so-so; interviews with Noyce and actual case officers are more intriguing.