Review of Charlie's Angels (2019) by Markhreviews — 17 Nov 2019

Given Hollywood’s well-documented risk-aversion, I suppose we’re stuck with sequels, prequels, film franchises and comic book characters for the foreseeable future. Some of these series are tired, pretentious hot messes (I’m looking at you, Ahh-nold). Fortunately, there also are sometimes re-energized reboots like “Charlie’s Angels.”'

For those who don’t know the history, this franchise started out as a TV series (1976-1981) best known for bringing Farrah Fawcett to prominence and helping to usher in “jiggle TV” – objectification, anyone? This was followed by two films (2000, 2003) starring Drew Barrymore, Lucy Liu and Cameron Diaz, a big improvement over the TV series but still allowing for a lot of leering. One female critic described the first movie as “the most comprehensive catalog of male erotic fantasies in one single film.” For this series, the primary philosophical underpinning has been that hot girls have all the fun.

Two key factors distinguish this installment: the deft hand of Writer/Director Elizabeth Banks and a score that features Ariana Grande (five songs), Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj, Chaka Khan and others who contribute significantly to the hot, hip tone of the film. By bringing a female sensibility, Banks avoids the pitfalls of the previous shows. Although the Angels do have a few outrageous costume changes, under the direction of Banks, the camera doesn’t linger too long. While one might quibble with the “girl power” exposition early on, this is mostly a self-confident film that focuses on having fun. Overall, this version doesn’t falter by taking itself too seriously; and it also doesn’t devolve into campy fluff unworthy of the viewer’s attention. Oh, yeah, there’s a plot. The Angels are involved in tracking down Calisto, a futuristic energy system that can be weaponized to kill people if it falls into the wrong hands. Sabina (Kristen Stewart), Jane (Elle Balinska) and new recruit Elena (Naomi Scott) are the primary Angels on the case. As actors and characters, all three appear to be having great fun. Along the way, they tangle physically and mentally with a bunch of bad guys, bringing male superiority happily into question. The action is fantastic, literally and figuratively. We also discover that there are Bosleys all over the world (including one former NLF player) and that the sonorous voice of John Forsythe as the always-unseen Charlie may in fact be a woman using a voice synthesizer. This is not your grandfather’s Charlie’s Angels.

By the way, stay in your seat for the closing credits, which feature cameos of female athletes and actresses hanging out just for the fun of it.

Bottom line, this “Charlie’s Angels” seems quite comfortable in its own well-moisturized skin.