Plot: What’s it about?
Natalie (Cameron Diaz), Alex (Lucy Liu), and Dylan (Drew Barrymore) are beautiful women, but these chicks don’t just stand around and look good, that’s for sure. These three lovelies are a special task force that answers to Charlie (John Forsythe), a wealthy man who commands the girls to combat criminal activities. This newest mission could be their toughest ever, as the girls and their sidekick Bosley (Bill Murray) need to uncover the whereabouts of Eric Knox (Sam Rockwell), a software mogul who was kidnapped. The three beauties use their skills to disguise themselves well and enter the life of Knox’s rival, Roger Corwin (Tim Curry). It seems as though Corwin is the logical suspect and soon enough, the girls end up in a rumble with a mysterious thin man (Crispin Glover) and rescue Knox from a hidden location. The mission is not over yet however, as some voice software was taken and unless the ladies can regain it, the new owners can invade everyone’s private phone calls. But can even these three ass kicking females break this case, which could involve espionage, fist fights, double agents, and of course, all sorts of high tech traps and gizmos?
Charlie’s Angels knows that it is one of the most hollow films ever made, but it promises cool fight scenes, wild adventures, lots of laughs, and of course, beautiful women. I liked about the first half hour of Charlie’s Angels and was impressed with the level of energy up to that point, but then it all just sort of ran out of gas on me. I don’t think this stall comes from the writers, as the flow seems to want to come through the material, but no one is there to steer the ship through the rough waters. So the main flaw I see with this film is the direction, but since Joseph McGinty Nichol is a first timer from the music video business, this was to be expected. McGinty starts off strong and lives up his the hype, but he is unable to sustain that level until the end, which leads me to think a return to the small screen is in order, at least for now. But of course, profits mean more than anything, so I’m sure he’ll lessen another film with his lack of talent soon. This is a movie I wanted to like, it seems to have all the elements, but without competent direction, this train slams on the brakes toward the end and that really hampers the film. Even so, this is a decent enough little flick with some terrific moments, too bad it just didn’t have the element of consistency it needed.
This film marks the feature film debut of music video director Joseph McGinty Nichol, who prefers to, as most music video directors do, be called by a single word, McG. Like most of the music video helmers before him, McGinty has tons of visual spark, but nothing under the hood to make it all come together. I understand that this film is supposed to brainless and fun, but McGinty supplies no substance here whatsoever, which leaves me very let down. The three and a half minute sequences (hmmm…about the length of a music video) are the longest McGinty can sustain before falling apart, and that happens often here. I think the real eye candy comes from the costumers and the girls themselves, not from McGinty’s simplified method of direction. I just hope he returns to music videos, or at least sticks with movies that just need a cardboard man in the director’s chair. The cast of Charlie’s Angels includes Cameron Diaz (The Mask, Any Given Sunday), Lucy Liu (Shanghai Noon, Payback), Drew Barrymore (Ever After, Mad Love), Bill Murray (Caddyshack, Rushmore), Crispin Glover (River’s Edge, Back to the Future), Sam Rockwell (The Green Mile, Galaxy Quest), Tim Curry (The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Clue), and Kelly Lynch (Road House, Mr. Magoo).
Video: How does it look?
It’s hard to believe that a decade has passed since “Charlie’s Angels” came out, but one thing I do remember is that it was one of the most colorful movies I’d seen in a while. This is still true and this Blu-ray’s 2.40:1 AVC HD transfer looks nothing short of spectacular. Bold, bright colors almost literally seem to burst off the screen. The reds and yellows of the cars, the black of Lucy Liu’s hair – everything looks great. Detail has been improved and it looks superior to the Superbit DVD version that came out a few years back. Black levels and contrast are improved as well. This is one good-looking transfer.
Audio: How does it sound?
The previous Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack has been replaced by a DTS HD Master Audio mix that leaves little to the imagination. The first thing I noticed is the ambiance, the rear surrounds seem to fill the air as they constantly hum along. LFE are very active and though the majority of the action takes place in the front stage, the entire mix seems very well-balanced. It might seem natural to assume that this movie would contain a robust soundtrack and you’d be correct. Again, “Charlie’s Angels” excels on a technical level.
Supplements: What are the extras?
Sony basically re-issued their previous standard DVD “special edition” as this Blu-ray, though this disc is BD-Live equipped as well as having the MovieIQ feature as well. An audio commentary with director McG and cinematographer Russell Carpenter is included, which proves to be worth a listen and has minimal silent spaces to contend with. I was pleased with the variance of information to be found, such as humorous anecdotes, McG’s experiences as a first time director, and other topics are discussed within this track. Next is a selection of five brief featurettes, which offer minimal insight, but are still fun to watch. These pieces cover the set design, special effects work, fashions seen in the film, martial arts and stunts sequences, and a closer look at the director, Mr. McGinty. You can also view the first battle with The Thin Man in Wired Angels, which shows what the scene looked like before digital enhancements were made, very cool indeed. A selection of deleted and extended scenes also surface, with a brief introduction from McG as to why they were trimmed from the final cut of the picture. This disc also houses talent files, some outtakes, and teaser & theatrical trailers for this movie.
