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Scott Ventura >> Movie Commentary >> November 2000 >> Charlie's Angels

Charlie's Angels

Movie Commentary by Scott Ventura

Details

Scott's Rating:
3 / 5
Times Seen:
1
Viewing Date:
November 2000
IMDB Name:
Charlie's Angels (2000)
Director:
Joseph McGinty Nichol
Keywords:
action, comedy
Made:
2000
MPAA Rating:
PG-13

Everything Else

I've seen Charlie's Angels, and I feel a responsibility to report on something other than the bodies of Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu, and Drew Barrymore. Really, I do. Only then can I feel like I went for some reason other than seeing those three in a sexy action flick. Screw it. Seeing those three in a sexy action flick is more than enough reason for this geek boy. With all that sex appeal and action, though, I have to wonder why it didn't come out until November when it's so obviously a movie that could've injected some life into the weak box office this Summer.

I'm reasonably sure that all three Angels and Kelly Lynch went through a rigorous training regimen to be able to do those stunts. They are frequently shown in positions that look difficult to achieve and maintain, and often while wearing shoes that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. Their action sequences deliver kick-ass female protagonists, precisely where Mission: Impossible II failed so miserably. The quality of the action sequences is somewhat undermined by an overly-hyper editing style that denies the audience the crucial master shots that establish spatial relations. Of course, Barrymore, Diaz, Liu, and Lynch haven't had a lifetime to become Jackie Chan stand-ins.

Due

The overall effect of isn't as impressive as I might've hoped, but I have to give credit where credit is due. Joseph G. Aulisi and Randy Gardell contributed the most behind the scenes to this movie. They were in charge of the costumes, and they did a spectacular job. The Angels are in a perpetual state of "tease" with these outfits. Incidentally, Aulisi's first movie was Shaft, which somehow strikes me as entirely appropriate.

Mortals

Among the rest of the cast, Bill Murray sticks out as a highlight. His delivery is far beyond what the material deserves. Sam Rockwell is a reasonably good bad guy, but he was much more enjoyable as Guy Fleegman in Galaxy Quest. Crispin Glover pushes the stylized killer freak routine a little too far for my tastes, but I'm inclined to think that wasn't his choice.

Other Opinions




Copyright 2000 by Scott Ventura. All rights reserved.