8. Salt
The ads asked, “Who is Salt?” and throughout the entirety of the film, you really can’t be certain.
This movie had more Russians hiding under covers than Moscow in January, and enough double crossing that I’m still not sure I know who was who. It does an incredible job of leaving doubt as to where Evalyn Salt’s allegiances lie (half the time I don’t think she even knew what side she was on), which makes this an ideal rogue agent film.
The stunts in this film are awesome too. Angelina Jolie had already established her position as a bonafide action star but this film took it to the next level. Jumping onto a moving 18-wheeler, constructing a homemade fire-extinguisher bazooka and sneaking her way down an elevator shaft and into the presidential bunker are just a few of the incredibly awesome things that Salt is able to do.
7. Quantum Of Solace
The first of two Bond films on the list, Quantum Of Solace, is a phenomenal example of what happens when an agent loses the one woman he opens his heart to.
Opinions are extremely polarized on this film, but I think it was an exceptional follow-up to Casino Royale. The tormented psyche of James Bond is perhaps shown better in this film than any other before it. The desire for revenge seeps through Bond and he is lucky enough to find help from a girl who wants revenge as badly as he does.
His superiors think he has gone rogue and is simply seeking revenge, which they are mostly right about. Though Bond says he is motivated by his duty, when M says, “I think you’re so blinded by inconsolable rage that you don’t care who you hurt,” there is a truth to her words. She is also right when she says, “It’d be a pretty cold bastard who didn’t want revenge for the death of someone he loved.”
When is MI6 going to realize things will be a lot easier if they just go along with what Bond wants? When Bond isn’t in alignment with their wishes, he is going to do what he thinks is right, no matter how hard they try to stop him.
It’d be better for everyone if they just let him do as he pleases, wouldn’t it?
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