Writer: Werner Herzog (Screenplay) Tom Bissell (Short Story)
Starring: Veronica Ferres, Michael Shannon, Gael Garcia Bernal, Volker Michalowski, Lawrence Krauss, Anita Briem
Plot: A scientist blames the head of a large company for an ecological disaster in South America. But when a volcano begins to show signs of erupting, they must unite to avoid a disaster.
Runtime: 1 Hour 38 Minutes
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Slow and Dull
Story: Salt and Fire starts as three scientists representing the United Nations Laura (Ferres), Dr Cavani (Bernal) and Dr Meier (Michalowski) are on their latest mission but find themselves taken hostage by Matt Riley (Shannon) in South America, but not everything is what it seems as Matt explains the actions of his team to Laura and the goals they are trying to reach.
Laura’s team is bought together for a reason, to study an ever-increasing Salt plain which could bring around a volcanic explosion that could end the world as we know it.
Thoughts on Salt and Fire
Characters – Laura Sommerfeld is the lead UN doctor on the latest mission, but she gets taken hostage by a radical group that want to take down a cooperation that has accidently started the end of the world, she must learn about the salt plain that could end the world. Matt Riley is the man behind the hostage taking as he knows about the potential threat to the world. Doctor Cavani is the loud mouth of the team that is also cowardly, he works with Laura but is sick for most of the film. we don’t get very much from any of the supporting characters in this film.
Performances – Veronica Ferres is the main actress, she is in every scene as we see how she learns about the story unfold, she is solid in the leading role but never enough to hold our attention. Michael Shannon is good in his role but we just don’t get enough from him character, this can be said for most of the cast we just needed more from their characters.
Story – The story follows one doctor that must learn of an impending disaster which needs solving even though it is considered unsolvable. This story is dull and slow, but it does have meaning when you look at the message trying to be sent, other than that it is too preachy for its own good. It tries to make us feel guilty for a new threat to the world that is manmade but is slowly becoming too much.
Thriller – This film tries to keep us on edge but in the end, you just don’t hit the edge of your seat by a long way.
Settings – The film is set in an unknown location in South America, it is designed to make us feel like it could be anywhere in the world that this could happen.
Scene of the Movie – Photo time.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – Overly preachy.
Final Thoughts – This is a film that doesn’t hit the marks it should, it could be breath-taking but in the end just sends you to sleep.
Overall: This movie was just painfully boring to watch from start to finish.
Rating