Review: 'Charlie's Angels' has the power
No plot, but who cares?
By Paul Clinton
CNN Reviewer
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Charlie's Angels, 21st century version: Lucy Liu, Drew Barymore, and Cameron Diaz.
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At 40, Demi Moore returns to the spotlight in 'Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle.' CNN's Janine Sharell reports. (June 27).
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(CNN) -- With Drew Barrymore co-producing and director McG once again back at the helm, the sequel "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle" soars to the same comedic heights reached by the original 2000 feature film (based on the TV show).
And as the title implies, this time around the Angels really push everything into high gear. There's more action, more stunts, and, of course, there's Demi Moore, too.
The "Ghost" and "Striptease" star has chosen this film for her highly publicized return to an industry that she used to have tied around her little finger. Emerging from a self-imposed retirement, the 40-year-old actress proves she can still hold her own -- even with some of the hottest actresses in town: Barrymore, Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu.
Good thing she's looking so good. With this "Charlie's Angels" franchise, it seems that the skimpier the costumes, the skimpier the plot. So, let's just say the costumes are really, really skimpy.
But who cares about the story? The filmmakers certainly don't seem to be concerned in the least. In a nutshell -- and it fits perfectly -- the Angels are after two stolen rings engraved with encrypted information revealing the names of people in the government's Witness Protection Plan. One by one, people are dying and Natalie (Diaz), Dylan (Barrymore), and Alex (Liu) are the only ones in the whole wide world who can stop the evil plan.
Adding to the mix
Cameron Diaz in familiar Angel surroundings, in "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle."
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In addition to Moore, playing a fallen Angel named Madison, there is one other new cast member -- Bernie Mac.
Three years ago Bill Murray played the character of John Bosley, the only connection between the Angels and their mysterious boss, Charlie (again voiced by John Forsythe, who did the same duty for the TV show). Due to reported creative differences, Murray did not reprise the role, and Mac has stepped in as Bosley's brother, Jimmy. Yes, I said brother. Let it go.
As with the original, the movie begins with a high-octane action scene. This time we find ourselves in a bar in Outer Mongolia, where the Angels are undercover in order to rescue a captured federal agent in possession of one of the rings.
With the music track blasting, the action continues as the Angels kick, dance, wiggle, giggle, pout, and kung-fu their way through one wild scene after another while tracking down the evil gangs in search of the rings. In the process, of course, they never break a sweat, or a nail.
Having a good time
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The Angels get involved in one wild escapade after another, including Barrymore's outing as a wrestler.
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This tongue-in-cheek, different kind of "chick flick" confection never takes itself seriously as it whips its way through one ludicrous situation after another. The Angels go from dressing up in nun habits to stripping down to bikinis. They're awash in sequins or full body latex -- all without missing a beat.
Barrymore, Diaz and Liu were obviously having the time of their lives making this sequel. They've taken an old TV show and made a great franchise out of it. This is no mean feat when you consider all the horrible films that have taken that same recycled path from TV to the big screen.
Somehow this movie manages to be sassy yet completely juvenile, smart yet moronic, and totally mindless all the way -- yet very entertaining. That's not an easy trick. "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle" is all about girl power, and that power's still turned on.
