Charlie's Angels (2000)

3 out of 4

Starring: Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu, Drew Barrymore, Bill Murray, Sam Rockwell, Kelly Lynch, Crispin Glover, Tim Curry

Director: McG

Time: 98 mins

Charlie's Angels is delirious fun. Who - male or female - could fail to be seduced by the high-powered trailer that has been playing everywhere (and I mean everywhere) for the past few weeks? The tantalising snippets promised girl power, plenty of action and humour, Matrix-style martial arts, and just plain old, good-fashioned fun. Not to mention three gorgeous leads to draw in both males and females. The film fulfils that promise. It begins at a blisteringly fast pace and rarely stops moving till its explosive finale. It's not a great movie per se - but it's probably the most entertaining flick you'll have seen for a long while.

Based, of course, on the popular 1970s TV series about three attractive female crimefighters who work for a mysterious man named Charlie, the film continually pokes fun at itself, its stars, and even men in a good-natured way, while delivering non-stop action and martial arts fisticuffs. Following a James Bond-style opening action sequence, we are introduced (by voiceover and a funny, send-up-style montage) to the gals: Natalie (Cameron Diaz), Alex (Lucy Liu), and Dylan (Drew Barrymore); as well as their male colleague Bosley (Bill Murray). The phone rings, and the familiar voice of Charlie (John Forsythe) starts speaking.

It looks like software maker Eric Knox (Sam Rockwell) has been kidnapped, and the main suspect is his business rival Roger Corwin (Tim Curry). Knox's partner Vivian Wood (Kelly Lynch) comes to the Angels for help. The dynamic trio (and Bosley) investigate and infiltrate Corwin's operations, while trying to fend off the deadly intentions of Corwin's henchman The Thin Man (Crispin Glover, who was Marty McFly's dad in Back to the Future). Then Bosley himself is kidnapped, and it's up to the Angels to figure out what's going on to save both Bosley and their unseen mentor, Charlie.

Charlie's Angels works because it never really takes itself too seriously. If you go in expecting an Oscar-winning story, you'll be disappointed. CA is bright, breezy fun, paced like a bullet train so you won't have time to pick over story faults. Two of the best bits in the film are unpredictable but delightful dance moments from, first, Cameron Diaz, and then Drew Barrymore. All three leads play their roles to perfection, and it helps that all three are easy on the eye as well. Murray is funny as Bosley, and Rockwell adds another entry to a diverse resume of roles that includes his evil prisoner in The Green Mile and the former TV show cast member in Galaxy Quest. There is also a welcome cameo from LL Cool J, and another weird character role for TV comic Tom Green.

A word about the action. The film is yet another that contains scenes photographed in the flurry of quick edits and stylistic angles, a la Michael Bay, that is almost a staple of action films these days. This is especially evident in the opening parachuting sequence and a high speed motor race later on. Luckily the martial arts action redeems those bits somewhat, though the use of Matrix-style choreography is becoming old. Good martial arts is spectacular enough without having to make the combatants fly or do impossible twists through the air. That said, there are enough chases and explosions scattered through the film to satisfy action lovers.

Charlie's Angels is popcorn moviemaking exemplified. The girls are gorgeous, the humour and action come in speedy doses, and the entertainment factor is high. The story might not stand up to scrutiny, but that's not what this movie is about. Plant your tongue in your cheek, and get ready for some campy, but very enjoyable, fun.

(c) Joe Wong (23 November 2000)