Movie Reviews

Movie Review: “Charlie’s Angels” Has A Devilish Comeuppance


 

When a young systems engineer blows the whistle on a dangerous technology, Charlie’s Angels are called into action, putting their lives on the line to protect us all.

I grew up watching the famed “Charlie’s Angels” television series which aired from 1976-1981. Those formative years as a young female high school student were greatly impacted by watching these smart, beautiful and skillfully-talented women take over the spy game and report back to their host Bosley while gathering around the phone to listen to their next set of instructions by the mysterious and sexy voice of Charles Townsend, the agency’s owner. Now, three versions later (2000, 2003, 2019), I realize that this same badass trio of daunting women has upgraded with massive weapons and an agenda targeting female disparity with the hope of appealing to that same sector of impactful teens. While I was totally confused by the new myriad of Bosley’s in this high stakes game of crime-solving, I was also impressed by the one female version played by Elizabeth Banks, who starred in as well as directed the film.

As the movie opens, we’re immediately introduced to the subject of feminism vs. capitalism as Sabina Wilson (Kristen Stewart) doubles down on a playmaker who thinks his male ego can dominate the business conversation as well as the power moves. While highly suggesting that Sabina save her talent for more domesticated situations, she gently and figuratively hangs him by his own rope. The plot thickens as the Townsend Agency, which has become international, assigns new and improved Bosleys to locations that best fit their abilities to attack and dismantle targets with the assistance of its angels. Its newest operative consists of a company that has produced a hand-held gizmo designed to specifically wipe out a species if relegated to do so. Elena Houghlin (Naomi Scott) who has worked for the company is at odds with the company for its inability to tell the truth about the product’s potential. When she regrettably becomes the agent’s whistleblower, a hit is put out on her and she inadvertently becomes the angels’ newest recruit as she uses her brainiac skills to help the team solve the mystery of who is actually the head honcho for the prototype. As the plot thickens, the three versions of the film which seemed distinctly familiar, suddenly become totally separate and indefensible as the female Bosley (Elizabeth Banks) and the original John Bosley (Patrick Stewart) turn the tables and become part of a whodunnit that has the entire audience in utter disbelief. In the midst of trying to form a bond with one another, the angels get caught up in a web of deceit that has them wondering if there is a mole amongst them and if so, who? The original Bosley gives us a gut-wrenching showdown of the skills which he says are incomparable to his predecessors because of the fact that he trained them all.

Director Elizabeth Banks did an outstanding job of finding a crew of highly capable new blood and intermingling bits and pieces with cameos of the original crew. What a joy to see the appearances of Jaclyn Smith as Kelly Garrett, along with the Badass skills of Kristen Stewart (Sabina Wilson), Ella Balinska (Jane Kano), Naomi Scott (Elena Houghlin) and Djimon Hounsou (Edgar Bosley). The appeal of this combination is highly successful in attracting a wide range of viewers who can relate to an action-packed film with high-tech weaponry, humorous mystery, and good old-fashioned hunches. In all of the desire to make the Angels have redeeming qualities, the devilish comeuppance is eagerly welcomed!

 

In Theaters Friday, November 15th

 

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Tracee Bond

Tracee is a movie critic and interviewer who was born in Long Beach and raised in San Diego, California. As a Human Resource Professional and former Radio Personality, Tracee has parlayed her interviewing skills, interest in media, and crossover appeal into a love for the Arts and a passion for understanding the human condition through oral and written expression. She has been writing for as long as she can remember and considers it a privilege to be complimented for the only skill she has been truly able to master without formal training!