Charlie’s Angels is in good hands with Elizabeth Banks at the helm. A few cameos aside, there’s nothing resembling the previous iterations of the series.
Great chemistry between the titular trio, strong action, a dangerous antagonist and multiple Bosley’s help flesh out this interpretation. Women can do anything is the central message of the film and Elizabeth Banks isn’t shy about reiterating the point throughout the movie.
Let’s break it down
The New and Improved Charlie’s Angels
Jane
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The biggest surprise is the emergence of Ella Balinska as Jane. As a former MI-6 agent, Jane is the most badass out of all of the Angels and has the most demanding role in the fight scenes. Balinska handles the scenes with finesse and strength. If there’s going to be a female James Bond in the future, Balinska is a perfect fit for the role. Not only is the actress a new face, but her European heritage and that fact that she is person of color would make her an inspiring choice.
Elena
Naomi Scott continues to be a warm presence on screen. As the lead engineer of a clean energy device that can be weaponized, Elena is the whistleblower that gets sucked into this world of female spies.
Scott does a great job of portraying characters that don’t allow current surroundings to deter her momentum. Once she’s shot at, it would have been very easy to have Elena turn away from helping the Angels, then have Jane and Sabina convince Elena to help them. Charlie’s Angels luckily doesn’t go down that path.
While she’s certainly overwhelmed and untrained, never once does she retreat from helping the Angels. Once she understands The Townsend Agency, she’s all in on wanting to help Jane and Sabina with their mission.
Sabina
Kristen Stewart shows her comedy and action chops are quite strong, while also being the most insecure out of the trio.
Multiple Bosley’s
The decision by Banks to turn Charlie’s Angels into a kickass spy agency featuring female spies is a great direction for the franchise. There’s still only one “Charlie,” but there are multiple “Bosley’s” serving as handlers. While there’s a cameo featuring multiple Bosley’s, in a nice bit of symmetry, the movie focus on a trio of Bosley’s. One Bosley is a traitor, another appears to be a turncoat, but isn’t and the other leaves the film far too soon.
Banks plays one of the Bosley’s and was the first Angel promoted to the title of “Bosley.” Sir Patrick Stewart (Delightful as always) plays the original Bosley who started the organization alongside Charlie. The final Bosley is played by Djimon Hounsou and is the initial connection to The Townsend Agency for Elena.
Outside the Presence of Angels
Johnathan Tucker’s physicality as a silent assassin grounds the film with real menace. Noah Centino’s flirtatious scenes with Balinksa provides the only real romantic spark of the film Speaking of absurdity, Sam Cleflin and Nat Faxon are complete imbeciles as Elena’s employers. There’s never a question throughout the film as to whether the men are more intelligent than the women.
Wrap Up
What did you thing Charlie’s Angels? Personally, I can’t believe how much fun the film turned out to be and would like to see another film that takes on a darker tone. Doesn’t seem likely given the box office, but there’s alway room for optimism.
The Review
Charlie's Angels (2019)
PROS
- Great chemistry between Stewart, Scott and Balinska
- Fantastic Action
- Johnathan Tucker's silent assassin adds some menace
CONS
- Predictable Plot
- Cartoonish villains
