Charlie’s Angels [Blu-ray]Charlie’s Angels [Blu-ray]
For every TV-into-movie success like The Fugitive, there are dozens of uninspired films like The Mod Squad. Happily–and surprisingly–this breezy update of the seminal ’70s jiggle show falls into the first category, with Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore (who also produced), and Lucy Liu starring as the hair-tossing, fashion-setting, kung fu-fighting trio employed by the mysterious Charlie (voiced by the original Charlie, John Forsythe). When a high-tech programmer (Sam Rockwell) is kidnapped, the
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(out of 361 reviews)
Review by Benjamin J Burgraff for Charlie’s Angels [Blu-ray]
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As much a tribute to pop culture as a big-screen version of the ’70s
series, ‘Charlie’s Angels’ has so much energy and tongue-in-cheek
charm that it DARES you NOT to root for its three young stars! And
while the film won’t erase the images of Farrah Fawcett in a thin
tanktop on a very cold day, there is a wholesome sexiness and
accessiblity in Barrymore, Diaz, and Liu that none of the various
teamings of TV ‘Angels’ ever achieved! The pre-title sequence is
outrageous, and fabulous! … Each Angel has a unique
backstory…Natalie (Diaz) is an ditzy, upbeat ‘Soul Train’-dancing
wannabe who ‘shakes her booty’ at home in Spider-Man undies, looks for
‘Mr. Right’, and is a crack driver; Alex (Liu) is a ‘leg waxer’/extra
on an action movie set, who is a lousy cook, sleeps with the film’s
star (Matt LeBlanc, in a funny cameo), and is an expert in technology
and martial arts; Dylan (Barrymore) is an ex-high school ‘bad
girl’/free spirit involved with a seedy, insecure hippie living in a
tugboat (humorously portrayed by Tom Green, Barrymore’s real-life
boyfriend), is a master of disguise, and leads the trio. As in the
TV series, the Angels work out of the Townsend Detective Agency (still
located in the famous colonial brick building), and communicate with
the never-seen Charlie (voiced, as always, by John Forsythe) via the
telephone. As the trio’s liason, Bosley, Bill Murray is simply
perfect, hilarious in his patented ‘smarmy but lovable’ persona!
The plot revolves around the kidnapping of a Bill Gates-type
computer genius (Sam Rockwell, ‘The Green Mile’), and a technology
that can pinpoint any person’s location, anywhere in the world. The
prime suspects are competitor Roger Corwin (Tim Curry, in a
delightfully wicked turn!), and his hitman, portrayed with kinky
relish by Crispin Glover. Hired by Kelly Lynch (who has a ball in the
role of Rockwell’s partner!), the Angels embark on a case with all the
twists, betrayals, action, humor, and mayhem that a fan could ask for!
Loud, good-natured, and pulsating with a soundtrack of ’70s-’80s
Top Ten songs, the film combines ‘Matrix’-style freeze-frames and
slow-motion FX with a ton of Pop Culture references and a
swashbuckling sense of derring-do! The film literally rocks, and never
lets up! Is this ‘Great Cinema’? Certainly not! But in its sheer
audacity, and sense of fun, no recent film can match it! And while the
original series teased with a visual sex appeal that was was largely
ignored in the storylines, the big-screen version has a ‘if you got
it, flaunt it’ attitude that is both refreshing and empowering! This
is a ‘Girl Power’ movie, in the BEST sense of the word! I HIGHLY
recommend it!
Review by R. Penola for Charlie’s Angels [Blu-ray]
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Drew Barrymore, Lucy Lu and especially Cameron Diaz are terrifically entertaining as the newest Angels in this amusing, well-made big-screen take on the classic TV series. Though Bill Murray has little chance to use his comic gifts, mostly everything else about this high-octane caper is entertaining and self-consciously bigger-than-life. The Angels are each given a human side, from the get-go — this is a clever throughline, making these women memorable and distinct. They seem to be having a ball together, and showing off some impressive, athletic kung-fu kicks, twsits and turns. There is an air of self-deprecation (Diaz dancing; Lucy cooking; Drew’s boyfriend) that adds a sweet, funny undercurrent to the Matrix-like action sequences, which show plenty of skin and outfits. The sexiness comes across a both a weapon and as a celebration. The movie seems to bear the overall stamp of Drew Barrymore’s professional persona: generous with its cast, fun-loving, empowered and distinctly feminine. It’s a surprisingly good time for all.
Review by Beau Yarbrough for Charlie’s Angels [Blu-ray]
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My wife (who doesn’t remember the original show) and I went into the movie with zero expectations and found ourselves having an absolute ball. The film is funny, self-aware and great fun. Any film that includes the line “for god’s sake, FLIP YOUR HAIR!” isn’t one that takes itself too seriously, even for a moment.Add to that teriffic Hong Kong action-movie sequences — See Cameron Diaz question a thug with her foot! See the Angels take on a sword-cane wielding and high-flipping Crispin Glover! — and the film got a well-deserved round of applause from a packed theater in very jaded Los Angeles.This isn’t the film for those who prefer their action grim or their female heroines desexualized — the Angels go from kicking the crap out of bad guys to checking out hot guys in zero-to-60 flat — but for those looking for some light movie fare served at rocket speed, “Charlie’s Angels” is the way to go.The Angels out-Bond every James Bond movie without Sean Connery, and as we left the theater, my wife and I agreed that we would be getting the DVD …
Review by Reviewer for Charlie’s Angels [Blu-ray]
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In the history of the cinema, most feature films that are the progeny of a successful television series have been less than satisfying or able to capture the essence of the original. There are exceptions, of course, and “Charlie’s Angels,” directed by McG (Joseph McGinty Mitchell), and starring Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu, is one of them. A great movie it is not, but it is fun, the trio of Angels are engaging, and it is non-stop action from beginning to end. It starts with a dynamic skydiving stunt and never slows down. Along the way a lot of things blow up, there’s music,dancing, plenty of stunts, some clever lines and a bit of comedy relief from Bill Murray (Bosley). There’s just enough plot to keep things interesting, but it really doesn’t make much difference; this is like a party to which everyone’s been invited, and Angels Natalie (Diaz), Dylan (Barrymore) and Alex (Liu) are everything their T.V. counterparts ever hoped to be and more. This is the way Charlie’s team was meant to be. What really puts this movie over, though, is the Angels themselves; there’s a natural camaraderie between them that seems sincere and never forced, and they all seem to be having a great time, especially the charismatic Diaz, who could easily win an Oscar for Best Supporting Smile. Barrymore looks good and exhibits plenty of spunk, as does Liu, who has a captivating screen presence as well. It’s all played pretty much straightforward, there’s no attempt at parody or heavy drama, and nothing is taken too seriously, which enables the story to move along without getting bogged down with any unnecessary business. Murray is used just enough to make his presence welcome and effective, and he makes his Bosley fit nicely alongside this latest incarnation of Angels. The action sequences are well done and the choreography (by Cheung-Yan Yuen) is exciting; the influences of John Woo and “The Matrix” are obvious, and the less experienced McG was wise to draw from the best, for it adds to the success of his film. There’s something of the James Bond films in here, and “Mission Impossible 2″ (of course), but to McG’s credit, it mainly plays like an extended, more detailed version of the original series. The supporting cast includes Tim Curry (Roger Corwin), the versatile Sam Rockwell (Knox), Kelly Lynch (Vivian Wood), Tom Green (Chad) and, in smaller but effective roles, Matt LeBlanc, Luke Wilson, and Crispin Glover. The familiar voice of Charlie is once again supplied by the man who created the original, John Forsythe. There’s so much energy in this movie you get the feeling that the Angels must have always started their day’s work with a triple from Starbucks; it’s a high voltage romp that’s upbeat and filled with fun and positive vibes. In the end, “Charlie’s Angels” is an entertaining, feel-good movie that should satisfy a new, younger audience, as well as those with fond memories of the show that started it all a generation ago.
Review by N. Schoenfeld for Charlie’s Angels [Blu-ray]
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This movie is a good example that a movie does not always have to be deep and have an excellent plot to still be fun. I appreciate deep films with deep characters and good writing, this film has none of those. However, I can’t say for one minute that I was not entertained. This movie blew me away, the sound was literally a blast, and the visuals were a treat. It is easy to tell that the director has directed many music videos.You will not like this film if you are turned off by shallow stories and mindless action. It also is an insult to anyone serious about martial arts. If you like cheap thrills and want to have fun, I highly reccomend it.