Top Box Office Movies - Charlie's Angels

Charlie's Angels (2000) Columbia Tristar
1 hr. 38 mins.
Starring: Drew Barrymore, Kelly Lynch, Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu, Bill Murray
Directed by: McG

Charlie's Angels

Rating:

E-MAIL GIANCARLO DE LISI

Photo: Columbia Tristar

Before viewing another film loosely based on another television show, it is normal to have many reservations. Especially after all the stinkers released by Hollywood in the past few years. Yet, I am glad to say that for once I was definitely wrong. In no way is this film a masterpiece, or a classic, but it delivers what so few many films promise to deliver – entertainment. It is funny, action packed and great to look at.

In the essence of capturing all the fun from the 70's show, this film goes beyond the essential elements of an action piece, it captures all the fun and more. Now, before we get ahead of ourselves and a reader misinterprets this review as one big proclamation of greatness, in no way is this review a proclamation of that.

Yet, one can consider this film to be this holiday season's guilty pleasure on my part. The script is somewhat questionable, the concept of reality seems to have disappeared and it is fun to see how these girls are exactly choreographed to be synchronized with each other. Even in the worst of times, these girls seem to be in sync with each other and of course, are always beautiful, even after a diabolical kung-fu action set piece with one of the film's villains played by Crispin Glover. One cannot think that the success of the film lies mainly on a great collaborative effort beginning with the 30 or so writers that had a piece of the script, then Drew Barrymore's Flower Films produced the film, and director McG brings a great look to the film. The action is fast-paced, and even when there is no action, the film is fun to look at. The girls have time for disarming a terrorist bomb, while skydiving at 30,000 feet, finding a missing computer guru, fighting off tons of bad guys every second step of the way, and of course there is always time for love. All in a span of 90 minutes.

What captured me the most about this film was the sheer beauty of the action sequences. All the scenes were done extremely well, with much detail in mind when editing the film together. The soundtrack fits the film extremely well, and adds another element where the audience just feels like getting out of their seats and cheering for the Angels. Fast-paced, fun to watch, and a real pleasure make this film anything but a bad film.

Furthermore, Bill Murray stars as Bosley, the Angels interim boss and as the comic relief and of course does a good job. In addition, Tom Green cameos as Chad, one of the Angels' many love interests. Therefore, in looking at the scope of the film, it is not a bad mix of talent. And it comes across on the screen. Many skeptics dismissed the success of the film since it was in the hands of so much young talent. Drew Barrymore's production company handled the movie as McG a young maverick director brought his vision to the screen.

The movie plays on many levels thereby abiding by the Hollywood formula, great action, some cute chuckles and of course some little love interests. The film therefore is packaged quite nicely and as aforementioned manages to tie in many elements all within a time span of about 90 minutes. The film succeeds in my opinion due to the spectrum of talent collaborating on the film. The show is used as a backdrop and that is where it ends, the plot (if any?) revolves around a missing computer genius and his quest to eliminate a very important person, and the movie builds upon that. The martial arts set pieces are the best since The Matrix, mainly because the same choreographer designed them, and the way the film is brought to the screen is truly eye pleasing.

Therefore, before simply shrugging off this movie and saying it is simply another cheap 70's remake, take a good look at it. The movie is pure entertainment, leave your realism at the door and simply enjoy the movie for what it is, a cute little movie that is well done and fun to watch. A real surprise.

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Giancarlo De Lisi
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