Salt (Extended Edition)

Unrated Edition vs. Theatrical Cut Differences
There are 3 versions of Salt available for viewing, the Theatrical, Extended, and Director's Cuts. They run 1:39:56, 1:40:58, and 1:43:59 respectively (credit to Interzone_Records for the correction). Here are the major differences as compared to the base Theatrical Cut, e.g. Theatrical vs. Extended, and Extended vs. Director's Cut. Note, SPOILERS follow below, so read at your own risk. There are a few major, significant differences between the versions.

The Director's Cut makes the most sense plot-wise, and includes some better character development, in my opinion.

THEATRICAL vs. DIRECTOR's CUT
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1) Evelyn Salt's opening interrogation scene in North Korea is longer and more brutal. The soldiers force a tube down her throat and subject her to more intense questioning, followed by several kicks to the abdomen.

2) Extended scene of Orlov training little kids who will be future sleeper...

Really exciting, well done action flick
This is a really well done action flick worth viewing. Here's what's good with it:

1. It's full of non-stop action that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The stunts and fight scenes are really exciting.

2. The story has twisty turns and it keeps you thinking. There's no boredom here, and I felt the plot was close enough to being plausible to keep you interested. Even if the exact program of placing trained children into America isn't complete realism, we all know that there are spies living as Americans in this country. Just watch the news. It's a current and relevant theme.

3. The acting is excellent, and the characters, especially Angelina Jolie, show depth. You can't help caring about what happens to Salt.

While I agree with another reviewer who said that Salt's husband isn't shown a lot, I felt he was shown enough to reveal that Salt really loved him. That was what the audience needed to know in order to understand her motives, and...

Complex, character driven, action films still exist!?
Now this is what I'm talking about. Phillip Noyce's "Salt" is my type of summer movie. First and foremost "Salt" is an action film and it succeeds with flying colors in that regard. But what I really admired about this picture is that it took place in reality. The action was grounded in physics and therefore made it messy, mean and hard hitting. Then we have bon-a-fied movie superstar Angelina Jolie in her best action performance. Where "Salt" also succeeds stupendously is with Evelyn Salt's characterization, which is complex, dualistic, fascinating and ultimately enigmatic. Jolie thrives in this role which plays to literally every one of her strengths as an actress. You root for her and sympathize with her even though it's never clear what side Evelyn truly falls into. It's in this intense dynamic between plot, character and action that leaves "Salt" head and shoulders over films like "Eclipse", "Clash of the Titans", "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time" and yes, even "Inception"...

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