Charlie’s Angels arrived in the post on the Thursday morning; we watched it that afternoon, again on Friday with friends and again on Saturday with some more friends! I plan on watching it again, and again and again, and I firmly believe this could become one of my favourites before too long.
I had heard mixed reviews about the film whose production seemed to be plagued by mishaps and problems, and at one point was almost not made because the cast couldn’t be decided, but producer Drew Barrymore persisted with her film, and the outcome is a little cracker.
I missed this fantastic film at the cinema and was most peeved with myself, knowing this, and obviously loving me very much, Hubby ordered me my very own copy on DVD, and I put my tongue firmly in my cheek when we hit the play button.
For 99 minutes I sat glued to the sofa and watched a film that made me laugh out loud, chuckle to myself quietly and smile at the pure genius of McG’s direction.
Starring Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu as the beautiful crime fighting trio, Charlie’s Angels is a film that, although based on the popular 1970’s American TV series, could be watched and torn to shreds for it’s silliness and utter campness, but only the humourless, obtuse and die hard C.A fans could do such a thing. This
is a film that takes the mickey out of itself and it’s cast, it is a movie that should be watched with an open mind, an open bottle of wine and an open box of choccies, but beware you don’t choke on the nutty ones!
Charlie’s Angels is choc a block with cheesy lines, cheesy grins and a mildly cheesy plot, and that is what makes the whole film so utterly watchable from start to finish. It is puerile but action packed, camp but full of Matrix style fighting and so bright and glossy that it almost hurts your eyes, and it needs to be watched more than once to just take everything in!
Three beautiful masters of martial arts, espionage and disguise, Natalie (Cameron Diaz), Alex (Lucy Liu), and Dylan (Drew Barrymore), are called into headquarters, having to leave their ‘normal’ lives behind them to fight in the world of crime. Eric Knox (Sam Rockwell), the brains behind a little device that can recognise and find any voice in the world, has been kidnapped and it’s up to the Angels to find him and his kidnapper. How could they refuse? Especially when asked by the infamous voice of their boss Charlie (Voice of John Forsythe – the original Charlie in the 70’s).
Of course it’s not just a run of the mill ‘find the kidnapper and go home’ type of job, oh no, just when the Angels think they’ve been really clever and found Eric Knox, a terrible secret is revealed (Dramatic music…), and the Angels become embroiled in a plot that means somebody is trying to kill them…. Arggghhhhh!!!!
For what is actually a bit of a cheesy storyline I don’t want to give much more away because I don’t want to spoil it for anyone, and no matter how lame the plot knowing what happens does actually spoil it
The DVD that I have is an American one and full of great special features, but I am sure that the British version is practically identical and will have the same stuff when released. We always watch the extra bits after we’ve watched the film, just incase there’s anything that will spoil a film we haven’t seen before, and in the case of Charlie’s Angels this is definitely the best way to go. There isn’t anything that would really ruin the film but some of the stuff is certainly better appreciated when you’ve seen the movie itself.
Director and cinematographer commentary: Well worth viewing as you are able to get a real understanding of what they were trying to achieve, and gives insight into some of the little things that you may have missed when actually watching the film.
Set design, fashion, martial arts and stunts: Quite a short bit but certainly worth being put in. Some of the concepts behind the set are great and they do tell you where they nicked certain ideas.
Outtakes and bloopers: As I said before I didn’t see this at the cinema, but on the DVD when the credits are rolling they show the outtakes and bloopers, and this is just the same bit as what you have already seen, very funny though!
Wired Angels: This was one of the best extra bits for me because you not only get to see how the Matrix style stunts were done but you also get to see the guy who taught the girls what to do, the martial arts expert Cheung-Yan Yuen.
McG featurettes: This guy is pure genius, and comes across as a really down to earth funny, funny man. The cast say a few things about him in this bit and it is obvious that he is a well-respected and liked director.
The other extras include Music Videos, Theatrical trailers, Talent files, Audio in English and French, Subtitles in English and French, and are all fairly self-explanatory so I won’t bother with too much about them.
Lucy Liu – Alex Munday Cameron Diaz – Natalie Cook Drew Barrymore – Dylan Sanders and Producer Bill Murray – Bosley Sam Rockwell – Eric Knox Tim Curry – Roger Corwin Kelly Lynch – Vivian Wood Directed by – McG Martial Arts choreographer - Cheung-Yan Yuen John Forsythe the voice of Charlie
A little bit of stuff can be found at the Charlie’s Angel’s website, but not a lot if I’m honest, except that they do have some great merchandise.
http://www.spe.sony.com/movies/charliesangels
As you have probably gathered I loved this film and would say that you shouldn’t believe everything that you’ve heard about it, and even if you watch it and aren’t that keen at least you have your own opinion and not somebody else’s!
P.S – Watch out for a great little role by Friends star Matt Le Blanc!
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
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
Excellent op, i never really appreciated the movie until i read your op! swerty
Axis 24.07.2001 10:06
The flamboyant style of the movie is quite refreshing. Nonetheless, still prefer the 70s
TV version for its more down-to-earth story and characterisation.
Yankee_tam 28.05.2001 15:31
A very good op. I had heard so very bad things about this movie, but I might just give it a try now. Thanks :) Tam
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...
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 ...
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: Check Site. Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Advantages: Superb, brain-in-netral campy fun with non-stop flashy action sequences Disadvantages: Very 'music video' in style, Tom Green sucks, not for the curmudgeonly...and don't expect to expand your mind here!
wampyrii 14.12.2002 (16.12.2002)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Charlie's Angels (DVD)
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)
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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
![Charlie's Angels [DVD] [2000]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78545971.jpg "Charlie's Angels [DVD] [2000]")
Apr 21st, 2001
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