REVIEW: Charlie's Angels (Released in 2000) [20th Anniversary]

DIRECTOR: McG

PRODUCERS: Nancy Juvonen & Drew Barrymore & Leonard Goldberg

WRITERS: Ed Solomon & Ryan Rowe & John August

PERFORMERS: Cameron Diaz Drew Barrymore Lucy Liu Sam Rockwell Kelly Rowland

Crispin Glover and Bill Murray

Once upon a time, there was a television show about three female private detectives recruited to work for an anonymous billionaire and it was such a smash hit for several years that it took years to make into a film and here it is... being reflected upon twenty years later. Pretty soon, they went from 70's to 00's action, using the style of James Bond, Mission: Impossible and The Matrix in particular, this film brings a whole new approach to women of action and a new meaning to the film's tagline "Get Some Action". In doing so, it even proves that women are just as capable of doing things that men are always seen doing but at a rate where they are just flawless in every sense.

Charlie's Angels is a simple story: Three women who work as hired investigators for an unseen man uncovering one case after another. This was the basis of the show from the 70's week after week. This film however, had a different take on it. This time you have the women investigating a satellite company with the power to pick up voice ID from anywhere in the world and stumble upon a rather great big secret that puts them in a great predicament. Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu and Drew Barrymore (who also served as Producer) make such a great pair together that if they actually were P.I.'s in real life, you'd want to hire them to solve a case or two for you or protect you at all costs. Diaz, I have to say, was very much your average girl next door in this film, but someone who wasn't afraid to kick butt when she had too. The opening sequence in the film when the women are summoned individually, Diaz's scene is perhaps my most liked one because who doesn't like to wake up in the morning with a smile on their face and dance to a brand new day with enthusiasm and excitement? It's because of that scene that I look forward to waking up day after day and saying to myself in my own mind 'Good Morning God and Thank You for this day!' Liu was quite the exception as the tech-expert of the trio, her character reminds me of the middle sister character from the TV sitcom "Charmed" played by Holly Marie Combs, who was also my most liked one on that show because she was the only one out of everyone trying to live the normal life while still maintaining her responsibilities. Then of course, there's Barrymore who's been performing since she was a baby, as the rebellious but loyal angel. What is there to say about her that hasn't already been said? She too was a major addition to this film because her performance here is so brilliant that you think 'remind me to never get on your bad side'. Sam Rockwell and legendary comic Bill Murray also give screen worthy performances both serious and comedic wise on the male side, particularly Rockwell as he goes from innocent victim to main villain of the story. Once he turns you really start to despise him and his character just gets more and more nasty as the film goes on, especially Kelly Lynch who in turn plays a good femme fatale.

Because this is directed by McG, who's a former music video director, there is a lot of scenes with music playing in the background like a music video. Even during the action scenes you get this kind of approach that can easily be seen as cheesy, but I actually don't see it that way at all. Other films like 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)' have gotten this same kind of element and not once have I heard a complaint about that, except from Siskel & Ebert who found the film to be rather mediocre while I didn't. Like seriously, what's to complain about? Sometimes an action sequence with a musical track in it makes the scene better. It doesn't have to be perfect, nor epic, just the right sound and the right moment and that's all. Who says you can't make it work? You just have to have the right material. McG somehow managed to make it work and as far as I can tell, the film was better for it.

Considering this was my introduction to Charlie's Angels at the time, it was actually kind of a fun movie to enjoy. When the ladies are having fun, I was having fun too. It seemed like everyone was doing that in this one and it didn't take itself too seriously. I liked the dance sequences, especially the ones involving Diaz. She was known for that back then and things like that made me want to get more involved in dancing than just continue in it as a hobby. The three main leads were likeable in every sense, not just because of their sex appeal, but for me, their personalities. Even in the most dangerous times, they would still be able to make time for a little humor while kicking butt at the same time. I mean, Diaz fighting Lynch while chatting with her love interest, Barrymore beating the crap out of five men single handedly and doing the backwards dance as a victory afterwards and Liu just being herself. Bill Murray, still the same funnyman we all know and love. The soundtrack is also quite nostalgic as well, featuring some old school music, some of which I personally come to have a soft spot for after seeing this film.

I first saw this years after it came out, but when I finally did I immediately found it to be a likeable pleasure. Not guilty, not secret, but likeable pleasure. I have always had a respect and admiration for the female species and this film, being a remake of a TV show, has definitely proven that even in a man's world, women can be the things that we men are called to be. Like I said before, they're just as capable as we are and truth be told I've never been intimidated by that. These ladies take care of business like there's no tomorrow and they don't take no for an answer. 20 years on and I still find it quite odd that no one talks about this film anymore. Maybe there was something about it that rubbed people the wrong way or it was just seen as different from most films of this genre. But I only saw it as pure entertainment and the chord it struck with me was on a high note. High enough to call it a good film, but also just enough to call it a nice adapted material for it's time. I only wish that the original Angels from the series were given a chance to appear in the film even if it was for a few seconds. All in all, good one if your looking for popcorn entertainment or just a good time. Happy 20th Anniversary to Charlie's Angels!!!

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