Charlie's Angels
Recap
When her protests regarding the safety of her latest project go ignored by superiors hoping to go public with the invention, engineer Elana Houghlin enlists the help of the Townsend Agency. Alongside the Angels, they uncover a plot far grander than they originally anticipated.
Spoiler Level: None
Review
Writer and director Elizabeth Banks takes ownership of a franchise infamous for its relentless objectification and transforms it into the empowering display of lady-led badassery that it was always supposed to be. Focusing on themes of companionship, confidence, and morality, Banks and her team reclaim a story built by women and finally make it a story built for women.
Make no mistake—Charlie’s Angels exceeds expectations in ways far beyond its feminist emphasis. Narratively thrilling and beautifully designed, this film didn’t cut any corners. The fight choreography alone is worth the price of admission. With plenty of homages to its ancestors and an overall tone reminiscent of Kingsman, audiences are in for two hours of respectable entertainment.
It’s the careful navigation of femininity that elevates this movie from a forgettable Friday night to an analytical work of art.
Operating just below the surface is the subtle yet constant buzz of male underestimation leading to female excellence. Throughout the entirely of the film, Elana and the Angels rotate through a revolving cast of mediocre men who use their positions of power to silence, restrain, or otherwise diminish them. It’s a situation that feels familiar to anyone who grew up as a woman, setting off that instinctual churn in the gut. That bitter taste in the mouth. In this respect, the new film stays true to the original body of work. Unlike the originals, however, this film always gives its ladies the opportunity to take back the power and wield it to their advantage.
But notably, Charlie’s Angels does not make out men on the whole to be the enemy. Those who truly treat the women as their equals are shown to be widely beloved and trusted. They are welcomed warmly into the hearts of both characters and viewers alike, usually as active and thoughtful allies in whichever fight the Angels find themselves in.
Through these interactions, the film is able to display and discuss a dynamic that is often invisible: womanhood is defined by its relationship with men, and that will continue unchanged unless first recognized and acknowledged. Rarely does a story make this so transparent.
And at the same time, the film proposes a solution. By gracefully redirecting audience attention to the developing friendship between its women, it gives audiences insight into the independence that stems from their unity. By deepening their relationships with one another and providing enthusiastic support, the Angels are ultimately able to build towards their goals, defend their beliefs, and take out the Bad Guy. Women can do it all—especially when they have other women in their corner.
Final Thoughts
Charlie’s Angels is as smart as it is fun. Finally, the Angels are serious contenders in a world of heists, spycraft, and all things clandestine. More than that, they are relentlessly humanized. Charlie's Angels aren't just for Charlie anymore.
Charlie’s Angels: A Little Love for the Ladies
- Writing - 9/109/10
- Storyline - 10/1010/10
- Acting - 7.5/107.5/10
- Music - 7/107/10
- Production - 10/1010/10