Review of Charlie's Angels (2019) by Healingtoolbox — 30 Dec 2019

Since first Disney Star Wars at least, we need a movie category for AAA production value efforts with little to nothing to say abut life, men, women, or anything. On the good side, compared to CBS Star Trek Discovery, season 1 and 2, found at my library, where characters and action rarely meet at all, this is a bouquet of character-driven action. Banks and the writers really make an effort to connect character and actions. Film starts with a lovely collage of pre-teen girl power images, then transitions into post-puberty woman power images for the remainder. Films like this often have weak third acts. This third act is better than most of this category of movie. The directing of car action is way above average. For hand-to-hand fights, we've all been spoiled by Yu Jin Ping (Matrix et al) and David Leitsch. The script also has many fine, masterly show-not-tell moments new to me, not cribbed from elsewhere, as far as my memory goes. FYI the Variety.com review covers many aspects I agree with. On the "what happened?" and poor box office side, I think we have a combination of:

- wrong release date--it's a spring movie,.

- woman power is explored too shallowly.

- the double cross plot substitutes for a missing substantial character arc (very common).

I think only a third act with more of a serious Jason Bourne angle could have saved this script and this movie.