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Review: ‘Charlie’s Angels’ is a Fresh Reboot for a New Generation
November 15, 2019Sara Clements
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The Angels are back. And while their hairstyles have changed over the years, one thing has stayed the same: they kick ass. In a couple of years full of films that scream "girl power," Charlie's Angels does something different. While the movie does begin with Kristen Stewart saying, "I think women can do anything," it doesn't force progressiveness by making its stars utter cringe-worthy lines of dialogue to get that point across. It actually shows its girl power, which is what makes writer/director Elizabeth Banks' reboot stand out. The Townsend Agency and Charlie's Angels have gone global. In a profession and film genre dominated by men, this spy thriller gets to do what the boys have done before it. Led by Bosley (Banks), Charlie's newest Angels — Sabina (Kristen Stewart), a ballsy bad girl, Jane (Ella Balinska), a former MI-6 agent, and new recruit Elena (Naomi Scott) — are sent on a mission that takes them from France to Germany to Istanbul, in order to stop a new alternative energy device named Calisto — which could potentially be weaponized — from being sold on the black market and falling into the wrong hands. The charm of the cast is what makes the movie. Balinska and Scott are pretty new to this acting thing, and while Scott's Elena feels more underdeveloped than the rest, both actresses manage to stand out on their own alongside the bold Stewart. It's no surprise that Stewart steals the show, however. She has an awkward personality that you can't help but love, and as the funny but tough-as-nails Sabina, she proves she can play any kind of role with her flirtatious humor and laissez-faire attitude. The trio are having a fun time and the audience is right along with them. There are no silly romances, just sisterhood — and a dope dance battle. Charlie's Angels plays out much like the music video for its theme song, "Don't Call Me Angel." Most of the film is like Ariana Grande's part of the single: repetitive and overestimating itself. There's some filler sandwiching in the good stuff, with weakness present in its dialogue and scenes that seem pointless. But when the Miley Cyrus and Lana Del Rey parts hit, they really hit. There are fierce punches thrown, with plenty of solid action sequences that prove to be the movie's strong suit. But always lingering in the background, waiting to pop, is the film's most intriguing aspect: its sleek and sexy attitude and stylish physique. It's the best runway show. Banks could have easily made a movie that fell into predictability, but it manages to surprise with twists and turns you don't see coming. An impossible mission with a clever hand, Charlie's Angels is a satisfying experience and a revitalization of a story for a new audience of Angels. Charlie's Angels releases November 15th, 2019 from Sony Pictures. The film has an MPAA rating of PG-13 for action/violence, language and some suggestive material. Its runtime is 1 hr. 58 min. |
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