REVIEW: Elizabeth Banks’ Charlie’s Angels Is a Nice Addition to the Franchise
2019 has been the year of reboots. From television shows to movies, audiences have often been overwhelmed by recycled ideas that lack few creative twists. Sony Pictures’ Charlie’s Angels, a reboot itself, manages to avoid those pitfalls. Based on the hit TV show, the angels have returned for a new kick butt adventure, but they may not be the angels’ fans of the series are used to seeing.
These angels are 2019’s version and quite separate from the original show’s angels, Kate Jackson, Farrah Fawcett and Jaclyn Smith. This movie introduces two new angels, Jane (Ella Balinska) and Sabina (Kristen Stewart). With the help of their Bosley (Elizabeth Banks), the angels must protect a young systems engineer, Elena (Naomi Scott) from an unknown assassin. Elena has created Calisto which can control energy and also be weaponized and used to assassinate people. The angels have to make sure their mark isn’t taken out before she has a chance to reveal her creation to the world.
Stewart, Balinska and Scott are fantastic as your new angels. Their chemistry is effortless and easy to watch on screen. You will be rooting for them from start to finish. Stewart, particularly, shines in her role as Sabina. Fans are used to seeing the actress portray extremely serious characters, but her Sabina is responsible for most of the film’s laughsThere are moments where her comedic timing slips, but she is the anchor that keeps this trio together. Scott and Balinska both hold their own in the film, especially during the moments where they share scenes with Stewart and Banks.
Patrick Stewart plays Bosley 001, Noah Centineo is Elena’s work partner Langston, and Sam Claflin plays billionaire and CEO of Elena’s company, Alexander Brock. All three actors were great in their minor roles and fit nicely into the ultimate story. This film is about the angels though and it’s great to see them remain front and center throughout the entire film.
Banks is also a nice addition as Bosley. Banks plays dual roles as she acts in the film and directed it. Her vision on this movie was on point. Nothing felt forced nor did any scene feel like it was being overdone with too much action or CGI. She brought to life the difficulties women face in their lives on a day to day basis without it feeling suffocating. She finds a nice balance between the story, the struggles, and the action.
As far as reboots go, this one does a nice job of continuing its franchise. The movie does well to pay homage to its predecessors including the 2000s version starring Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu, and Drew Barrymore. This film is more of a continuation of the Townsend Agency and all it stands for, with new angels.
If you are looking for a fun movie to see this weekend, I highly suggest Charlie’s Angels. The movie is empowering, filled with kickass scenes, amazing women, and a lot of action. Fingers crossed the movie does well because I would love to see these three returns for another movie.
Grade: B