Charlie's Angels

Today I went and saw the new “Charlie’s Angels” movie, but first, I need to talk about the others that came before the new one. Let’s start off with the first “Charlie’s Angels” movie, released in 2000.

From the cheesy 1980 TV series is an action comedy adaptation that makes fun of everything from 1980: bad TV, disaster movies and obviously cheesy TV series.

This time the three angels are Dylan Sanders (Drew Barrymore), Natalie Cook (Cameron Diaz) and Alexandra “Alex” Munday (Lucy Liu), action women who have become high-tech private detectives for Charles Townsend, who they only talk through a radio. They get their missions from the funny Bosley (Bill Murray) and this time they go up against a kidnapped computer programmer (Sam Rockwell), an evil businessman (Tim Curry) and a mysterious thing man (Crispin Glover). However, the bland plot is just an excuse for action, and so much of it.

Rich Cline described the film in his review, “Frenetically directed by someone called McG, virtually every scene in the film is jammed with sight gags and wacky dialog ... as well as subtle and not-so-subtle jabs at Bond and Mission Impossible-type films. If you can remotely suspend your faculties of criticism, this is great fun to watch, thoroughly entertaining, surprisingly witty and, well, gorgeous to look at. The three leads get nice twists on their roles--Diaz is brainy and ditzy at the same time, Barrymore is thuggish with impeccable lipstick in all but one hilarious scene, Liu is both broadly slapstick and sleekly seductive. They're terrifically funny--all hair flicks, karate poses and Matrix-style gravity-defying fight scenes. Murray gets the short shrift, underused and a bit uneven. And in the end it's simply empty-headed fun, nothing more.”

The film was followed by the 2003 sequel, “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle.” The angels are back with a larger, louder, funnier sequel that’s just as much fun as the first one. The story is so confusing that you won’t be able to figure it out.

The villains are after two rings that have the entire Witness Relocation Program, so the angles and their boss Bosley, played this time by the late Bernie Mac, go undercover to get them back. This involves things like a Mongolian rescue, a day of surfing, an off-road motorcycle race and a Hollywood movie premiere. They also have to fight Madison Lee, a former angel (Demi Moore), the same thin man from the first movie, and an evil Irish gangster (Justin Theroux). They also have to balance their personal lives.

Cline said, “If you enjoyed the first film, you know you have to see this. It's jammed with hysterically funny bits -- subtle plays on the original 1970s TV series, inspired comedy, rude innuendo and outrageous goofiness. Diaz, Barrymore and Liu have taken the roles to heart; they make us laugh with every ridiculous disguise, gleeful wiggle and knowing line of dialog. Diaz is the star this time, with those gob-smacking guises and incredibly happy feet. And Moore makes a terrific nemesis -- sexy, nasty, energetic. Mac struggles a bit as Bosley, admittedly a thankless role in which he's only given weak shtick but still generates chemistry with our heroic trio. And McG directs with the same inspired flair, never letting up for a moment and brilliantly layering the comedy with satire, pastiche and childishness.”

It’s perfectly made to make everyone laughing in every scene, with regular attacks into over-the-top action so intense that it’s just a joy to see. Cline said, “The effects are ropey and far-fetched; there's no attempt to make anything realistic, so think of it as a cartoon! And star-spotters will have a field day keeping track of the witty cameos and bizarre supporting roles.” This is a love it or hate it movie, but if you thought the first one was neat, this more than lives up to expectations, which is something you can’t say a lot. Cline admitted, “And while I wait for a third film (please, girls!), I'll be placing an advance order for this one on DVD.”

Now let’s get to the 2019 movie, which shows little resemblance to either the original 1970s TV show or the two movies in the 2000s. Cline noted, “Filmmaker Elizabeth Banks has abandoned the formula to make a girly Mission: Impossible-style spy romp with excessive guns and gadgets. It's well-staged, with nicely chaotic action, some solid characters and a strong blast of female empowerment.” However, the story and its endless twists and turns are sometimes corny that it hurts.

From its private investigator blueprint, the Townsend Agency had widened into international espionage, with Bosley (Elizabeth Banks) becoming the boss from retiring veteran Bosley (Patrick Stewart). Another Bosley (Djimon Hounsou) is observing a mission in Hamburg with two agents, bad girl Sabina (Kristen Stewart) and ex-British agent Jane (Ella Balinska). Their contact at a tech company is Elena (Naomi Scott), who joins the team to take on a mystery figure trying to make her power-supply invention into a super weapon. The question is whether to trust an apparent ignorant boss Alexander (Sam Claflin) or horrifying executive Peter (Nat Faxon), while dodging murdering assassin Hodak (Jonathan Tucker).

Everyone in this film is more than having weapons on them, and the big guns kind of defeat the entire story that women have their own strength. Cline said, “These Angels may be intelligent, trained fighters, but they're also kitted out with heavy artillery and a mind-boggling array of convenient tech that would give anyone the upper hand if it actually existed beyond the realm of fantastical spy movies.” This gets rid of most of the suspense because at least the men aren’t grinning morons.

Cline said, “Kristen Stewart commands the screen with star presence, adding a quirky, steely edge to Sabina that ignites her chemistry with Balinska's effortlessly efficient loner. Their sarcastic banter extends nicely to Scott's plucky, multi-skilled Elena. And Banks provides sass as she re-enters the fray later on. Of the men, Tucker stands out for his willingness to avoid winking even when his character does something hyperbolically nasty. And Mendez is hilarious as a Townsend operative in Berlin with a range of healing and domestic skills.” There are also some hilarious cameos in the closing credits.

Cline ended his review by saying, “The film's overriding comical tone lends sharp wit to the stylish settings and costumes, plus some properly inventive fight choreography and snappy action beats. But there's never even the slightest sense of irony here. These women are basically trained killers as ruthless as the baddies they're fighting. So as the grisliness escalates, any sense of thematic depth regarding gender issues is obliterated. The movie is still entertaining, but it's no more than fluff.”

I liked the first two movies because of the three good looking actresses and the way they said their lines. Especially in the second one with the addition of Demi Moore, who added to what men love seeing and hearing, and Bernie Mac with his amazing comedy. This new one just seems to fall in the middle since it seems to borrow somewhat from the second movie and how predictable the villain might be, and the motives. If you don’t want to see it in theaters, then it might be safe to wait until it comes out on DVD.

Thank you for joining in on tonight’s review, stay tuned tomorrow for the next installment in “Disney Channel Original Movie Month.”