CriticSociety- film reviews

Review

Charlie's Angels

Director

McG

Year

2000

Rating

Reviewed by

José Ruiloba a.k.a. Morris

Review date

Thursday, November 16, 2000

A whole lot of things about this movie before it hit theaters. Whether there were too many writers shaping up the script or whether it was a difficult shooting because of its stars. By the time it was the turn to see it, absolutely no one believed in it. Suddenly, people weren’t as aseptic. The word was spreading about how the movie actually turned out to be good. Critics started to watch it and they felt guilty to accept it, but they did like the movie. In a couple of words: everyone involved got their way. The movie is based on the 70’s TV series of the same name. Back then it was a big success, specially with women, who liked how they were portrayed as sexy but as intelligent as well. Their stars were to become big celebrities and everything seemed to go on smoothly. So here we are. It’s the year 2000, and a movie has been based on that old TV series.

This time, our protagonists (Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, Lucy Liu) are already stars, and this movie does nothing but confirm that. While there isn’t a plot worth explaining, what I can tell you is that this chicks get in a lot of trouble by trying to chase the bad guys. They use any single kind of device they have available to defeat them, except weapons, that is. Producer Drew Barrymore had the idea of not using them in the picture and I can’t but thank her immensely for that. The movie wouldn’t have been the same. Since they don’t have guns in their hands, the girls usually end up in Matrix-like fights which are very well choreographed and performed. In other words, they’re cool.

The tone of the movie is very light hearted. You get the idea that no one is taking itself too seriously, and that approach is what makes this movie work. Kind of a comedy mixed with a little bit of satire, the movie translates into something that is fun and entertaining to watch. In fact, that’s the better way to describe the movie: fun, fun, fun.

Of course, it doesn’t hurt that our three stars are nothing but charismatic and beautiful as well. Cameron Diaz is my favorite angel. She has that innocence, that face of an angel, that body to kill for, and that sexiness required. She is a very talented actress who has shown a lot of range in many different roles. Her part here as Natalie is just another one in what is already a very successful career. Then there’s Drew Barrymore, who is also an angel herself. I’ve always liked her. I think she is adorable and very pretty. Here she plays the tough one, and she couldn’t be better. Lucy Lui, on the other hand, is a true find. Having her first real big part in this movie, she comes off both as a strong personality and an attractive actress. Bill Murray is there to accompany them in their misadventures, and he is the true comic vein of the picture. McG really knew how to put all this elements together and make of it an exciting, fun, brainless motion picture.

"And thaaat's kicking your butt"

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