Charlie’s Angels (2019) Movie Review by Ashley Menzel
Reboot after reboot and sequel after sequel, Hollywood continues to push audiences further and further with accepting these new renditions of older films and television shows. I’ll be the first to say that I am less than excited when a reboot or remake is announced and was more than a bit trepidatious going into Charlie’s Angels. However, I’m happy to report that I was shocked at how much fun the film was. It was the most fun I’ve had at the theater all year. Starring Kristen Stewart, Ella Balinska, and Naomi Scott, Charlie’s Angels written and directed by Elizabeth Banks takes the angels on a whole new ride.
While Charlie’s Angels has always featured female characters, this version ups the ante and places the women as the distinct focus of the film. Naomi Scott plays a scientist who, when concerned with the negligence of her employers toward a potentially deadly invention, turns to the angels to stop them. As they investigate further into the web of players and motives, they learn more about trusting their instincts and one another. Headed by Bosley (Elizabeth Banks), they must work together to stop these criminals from turning the invention into a weapon. Sabina (Kristen Stewart) and Jane (Ella Balinska) are the angels who take Elena (Naomi Scott) under their wings and on this wild journey.
While I found all the characters to be rather engaging and entertaining, I was most shocked by how much I enjoyed Kristen Stewart’s performance in the film. It is a stretch from her typical roles in that she fully embraces the humor of the character and therefore provides some of the funniest moments of the film. Her interactions with others amplify her already natural tendency to be awkward which in return produces plenty of hilarious moments. Ella Balinska is a relative newcomer and was a real joy to watch. The chemistry between the characters feels natural and develops throughout the film. Naomi Scott, who recently wowed audiences as Princess Jasmine in Aladdin, continues to shine here.
The action scenes were totally engrossing and exciting, keeping you on the edge of your seat whenever they occurred. The choreography in one scene which takes place in a café is incredible and one of the first scenes in the film, setting us off in the right direction from the get-go. Each action scene following these only continues to up the adrenaline of the audience during the remainder of the film.
Elizabeth Banks has created a non-stop kick-ass film that celebrates the strength of women without beating the audience over the head with it. Charlie’s Angels manages to take on an older franchise and make it fresh and new for a totally different generation. Fully embracing its bad-ass female characters, Charlie’s Angels gives the audience a full-throttle action-packed film that stands tall among other action films. It begs to be seen on the big screen to fully appreciate the dazzling action and spectacle that is Charlie’s Angels.
