Charlie's Angels is fun and campy, yet stupid and cheesy, all rolled into one. The end result? A surprisingly likable film.
Based on the popular '70s TV series, this modern update keeps the same light-hearted feel of the original: three beautiful girls work together to protect good and catch bad guys --all while wearing really cool clothes. This time around, however, the girls (played by Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu) do all their fighting sans guns.
The plot features the Angels searching for a kidnapped computer genius, Knox (Sam Rockwell). They must quickly locate Knox to avoid having his voice-detecting software (which can trace anybody's voice to anywhere in the world -- don't ask) reproduced and used for evil purposes.
Various hijinks and plot twists (okay, there's one) ensue as the trio tracks down the missing man. They find him without a lot of difficulty, but then set about finding out who abducted him.
Bill Murray stars as Bosley, the fearless guide who helps the Angels set about on their mission. And while on-screen, Murray is a perfect compliment to the trio, off-screen things weren't quite so sweet (rumors of behind the scenes clashes plagued the production and Murray has refused to do any publicity for the film).
Murray's main problem, off-screen, was reportedly Angel Lucy Liu (who spends so much of the film tossing her hair around you'd think she was auditioning for a Pantene commercial). Liu portrays serious-minded Alex. She's a technical genius, but she comes across rough -- more Bond girl than Angel.
Then again, Liu can't help but seem grave when compared to goofy, graceless Cameron Diaz (bet you never thought I'd use those words to describe the leggy blonde). But it's true: Diaz is a real dork, in Charlie's Angels, at least.
In a truly hilarious performance, she camps it up as a capable crime fighter -- but totally Clueless -- Natalie. She's giggly and boy crazy and isn't afraid to go out on a limb. And she reaps the comedic benefits, steering one of the year's funniest scenes. In a side-splitting number, clumsy Natalie winds up appearing on "Soul Train" and, needless to say, proves that white girls can't dance.
Drew Barrymore seems the oddest fit of the trio. Barrymore, who also served as a producer, plays Dylan. She's almost back in Ever After mode, playing it sweet and caring, rather than clever and coy. She does pull a few fast ones, but ultimately, Barrymore's not at her best in this role. She's always likable, though, and doesn't hurt the film in any way.
The fight scenes are plentiful, largely unrealistic and far too heavy on F/X (to their credit, the girls were given some martial arts training, but come on! The cinematography and slow-motion effects of Charlie's Angels has them looking like Jackie Chan on overdrive).
But ultimately, the flaws are forgivable and Barrymore, Liu and Diaz at least appear to be having a great time -- and so will you.
Grade: B
(PG-13, 90 minutes)
