Diagnosed with an aggressive cancer of the right lung on my 58th birthday (14th July) So not really ...
Diagnosed with an aggressive cancer of the right lung on my 58th birthday (14th July) So not really in the humour for writing much at the moment, although I *WILL* be back before too long...Ken
Member since:06.12.2000
Reviews:678
Members who trust:869
~ ~ It makes me a little sad to have to admit that I am old enough to remember the TV detective series, which inspired the making of this film. (I think it’s now being repeated on Sky?) I loved this series starring Farrah Fawcett and Jocelyn Smith (I forget the third “angel, shame on me!) as the Angels, and actor Bill Murray as “Bosley”, the go-between who protected the identity of the never to be seen “Charlie”. New cases were assigned weekly, and just as promptly solved, by the three pistol- packing Angels, who were sure to find themselves in yet another tough spot the very next week.
~ ~ In the new film version the “Angels” are played by well known Hollywood actresses Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu, who are respectively the “brains”, the “muscle”, and the “daredevil” of the team.
THE STORY
~ ~ A millionaire software genius called Eric Knox (Sam Rockwell) is kidnapped and his business partner Vivian Wood (Kelly Lynch) hires the intrepid Angels to track down and bring to justice the dastardly villain. In this case, the chief suspect is Eric’s main business rival, Roger Corwin, played by Tim Curry. The supposed reason behind this “snatch” is to obtain control of a new-fangled piece of satellite tracking technology, which would allow the holder to track anyone’s voice wherever they may be on the globe.
~ ~ The three heroines waste no time in getting on with the job in hand. Various disguises and subterfuge are used as the girls pose as racing drivers, Asian massage girls, and even (and this is really “stretching” it) lowly men in order to catch their prey. Danger piles upon danger as they get ever closer to their elusive villain, and a “nutter” of an assassin is assigned by Corwin to stop them discovering the truth.
~ ~ Anyone with half a brain in their head will be able to spot the “twists” in the plot at a hundred paces, but this does nothing to stop the enjoyment of the film. From being simple PI’s in the original TV series, the girls are transformed into something approaching “super-hero” status. This is pure fantasy at its very best, as the three Angels proceed to perform amazing aerobatic stunts, dodge flying bullets, and survive massive explosions, emerging, off course, without a hair out of place or a scratch on their delectable bodies.
RATING
~ ~ There is a real feeling of “déjà vu” about this movie for anyone who has viewed “The Matrix”, especially in the action sequences. Its biggest attraction are its three stars, who are all totally gorgeous in their own right, attributes that the film’s Director makes full use off. There are some truly wonderful and memorable scenes, such as Drew Barrymore’s pit crew pin-up sequence, and Cameron Diaz’s madcap dance number. Throughout, the three girls seem to be having the time of their lives, and to be actually enjoying each others company.
~ ~ There has been a plethora of films in recent times based on old TV dramas (The Saint, Mission Impossible, The Avengers, etc) but this one must class as nearly the best of the bunch. Not only is it hilarious, but the action scenes are at least the equal of anything else going at the present time. I thoroughly enjoyed this piece of “hokum-pokum”, and would give it my recommendation.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 1977 - Action/Adventure - Director: Clint Eastwood - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring:Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke, Pat Hingle, William Prince, Bill McKinney
Production Year: 2002 - Action/Adventure - Director: Vincenzo Natali - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring:Lucy Liu, David Hewlett, Anne Marie Scheffler, Joseph Scoren, Matthew Sharp, Jeremy Northam
Production Year: 1964 - Action/Adventure - Director: Cyril Endfield - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring:Stanley Baker, Jack Hawkins, Ulla Jacobsson, James Booth, Michael Caine, Nigel Green
I've seen the movie, and your review is right on. It doesn't contain any spoilers, since you only talk about the set-up of the story line (which isn't really the important thing in this film in the first place, IMHO) and don't give anything away that happens after the set-up. Great job! Mischa
prelude210 06.12.2000 15:05
Dear Cujimmy,
I haven't had a chance to see this movie yet so I found this to be a rather intriguing review. I would recommend not spoiling the plot for your readers by including too much of a synopses of the movie. Whenever you see a movie review they only give enough info to tantalize you into seeing it, you should do the same.
I'm not being spiteful in my two movie comments but I'm a writer and reviewer and just trying to help you improve. Good luck with your writing in the future.
Charity Van Vleet
henry 06.12.2000 11:26
Any chance of removing all the paragraph breaks? It's quite hard to read!
HappilyCharlie's Angelsis a surprisingly successful TV-into-movie update of the seminal ... more
1970s jiggle show. Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore (who also produced) and Lucy Liu star as the hair-tossing, fashion-setting, kung-fu fighting trio employed by the my...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
HappilyCharlie's Angelsis a surprisingly successful TV-into-movie update of the seminal ... more
1970s jiggle show. Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore (who also produced) and Lucy Liu star as the hair-tossing, fashion-setting, kung-fu fighting trio employed by the my...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu are Charlie's Angels - a trio of elite private ... more
investigators who, with the latest in high-tech gadgets, martial arts techniques and a vest array of disguises, unleash their state-of-the-art skills on land, sea ...
Advantages: Anything that has Cameron Diaz in it, wet and 'unzipped' to the waist has got to get 5 stars Disadvantages: not sure Lucy Liu was the right casting for the 3rd 'Angel'
flashpointz 27.08.2002 (27.08.2002)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Charlie's Angels (DVD)
Advantages: Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz... Disadvantages: The most stupid film ever, even worse than The Avengers, possibly as bad as Batman and Robin