About the film (courtesy of Columbia Pictures):
Director Elizabeth Banks takes the helm as the next generation of fearless Charlie’s Angels take flight. In Banks’ bold vision, Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott, and Ella Balinska are working for the mysterious Charles Townsend, whose security and investigative agency has expanded internationally. With the world’s smartest, bravest, and most highly trained women all over the globe, there are now teams of Angels guided by multiple Bosleys taking on the toughest jobs everywhere
Elizabeth Banks, who directs and co-stars in yet another update to the classic television show that ran from 1976 to 1981, tweaks the traditional formula with a more contemporary feel that’s better suited for today’s society. I get it, things have to change and the movement is extremely prevalent in the entertainment industry. Disney+, for example, just launched a dedicated massive video library of tons of classics…in addition to newer titles.
Well, history has a way of reminding us of just how insensitive certain subjects and behaviors are/were and we can’t really turn a blind eye to them. To that point, there’s been some creative editing and several disclaimers acknowledging such facts regarding some of the legacy content they’re offering. Charlie’s Angels looks to do that with their latest refresh, but without sacrificing what made the franchise so fun.
In order to start off on the right foot, Banks has to lock down a plot that original fans, the newer aged fans and today’s fans can get behind. A better fitting title to this 2019 version might have been something like Charlie’s Angels: “Legacy” but that would have certainly brought in the The Bourne Legacy (2012) detractors. I suppose keeping the title simple has an appeal to it. At any rate, the story pulls from everything from 1976 to 2000 to 2003 (the 2011 TV series was short-lived and basically forgotten) in order to give the current day movie some established coolness.
Elizabeth Banks, Kristen Stewart, Ella Balinska and Naomi Scott make up a cool quartet as they dazzle with action and kill with comedy. Other supporting actors like Djimon Hounsou, Sam Claflin, Jonathan Tucker and Patrick Stewart assist in balancing out the gender seesaw. Each has his or her own strengths but honestly, the biggest and most pleasant surprise is the performance of Kristen Stewart. Whether it was at the direction of Banks or just that this role spoke to her, I have to say that this was arguably Kristen Stewart’s best work. She is funny, tough and endearing. Yeah I know, she can show emotions!
Charlie’s Angels is one of those movies that you just have to laugh at and appreciate the ridiculousness of some of its content. It’s an action movie first and over the top effects are par for the course. Elizabeth Banks pays constant homage to the women, and men, that have appeared in the franchise before. While far from realistic, the action is fun, free and mostly entertaining. This is not a deep movie by any stretch of the imagination but it’ll keep you mostly attentive during its two-hour runtime. Whether you a fan of the old, new or somewhere in between, this should have something for you. And stay in your seats because things are still going on during the first have of the credits. In theaters now.
