#307: Charlie’s Angels

Release Date: November 3rd, 2000

Format: Streaming (Amazon Prime)

Written by: John August, Ryan Rowe, and Ed Solomon

Directed by: McG

2.5 Stars

Charlie’s Angels is a lot of people’s cinematic junk food, but it’s not mine, unfortunately. 

But I get the appeal. 

Cameron Diaz, Lucy Lui, and Drew Barrymore are dynamic and beautiful as the titular globe-trotting, crime-fighting Angels. There are fun turns, too, from beloved actors like Bill Murray, Sam Rockwell, Crispin Glover, and Tim Curry (what a supporting cast!). Angels also capitalizes on some peak millennial culture, from the fashion to the music to an utterly bizarre Tom Green performance (that does not disappoint).

I just wish there was a more experienced director to bring this all together. McG, at the time a 32-year-old music video director, bathes the movie in light and color and movement, but it comes at the expense of creating any sort of tension or much excitement. It’s one of those movies that has a bunch of stuff going on, but I’m a bit numb to it all.            

Charlie’s Angels is like french fries dipped into a Wendy’s Frosty. I get why people like it, I believe them, but there are other ways that I like to get my cinematic empty calories.