I’ve seen the other two movies and some of the episodes of Charlie’s Angels. I thought the shows seemed good, but the other movies were more of a joke than action films. They just tried too hard and made everything into a caricature. Sure, they were ok for those silly moments with the girls, when you just want something on in the background. But, even then…it’s pretty embarrassing. So, when I heard about the new movie I thought it was going to be more of the same.

Charlie’s Angels is basically what the world would be like if there were a real Townsend Agency and it was a continuation of the movies before it and those movies were a continuation of the show before that. Kind of like if each one was a different generation of Angels for the same agency. In this film, the Angels are trying to figure out who is betraying them and how they can get a hold on the disaster at hand.  Along the way they make friends with a programmer and she wants to become an Angel. Nothing new. Nothing too exciting. Definitely, nothing that hasn’t been done a thousand times before. So, if you thought it was going to be something completely different…well…you don’t know Hollywood and probably haven’t been watching movies this passed decade.

The acting isn’t anything to gawk at. Neither is the cinematography, the direction, the storyline or the aesthetics. But, those are the reasons you go to see a movie like this. You go for the action and the pretty girls. The problem is that usually, the action in movies with a female lead/leads tends to be lackluster. You can see that it’s choreographed and you can tell that they are trying not to hurt her/them. And I will admit that’s the reason I wasn’t too keen on seeing this film.

While there isn’t a lot to this movie that is notable, the action wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be. I found it believable. Not realistic, I won’t go that far. But, it wasn’t like the movies before it where you just knew they were using suspension ropes to do six-foot jumps from a standing position. And it wasn’t so mechanical that it was obviously choreographed. Of course, there is choreography, but it looked more natural than expected.

The acting wasn’t as painful as I thought it would be, even though it wasn’t great. There was some overacting and some lame damsel in distress moments. But, I thought that the majority of the actors did fair. I didn’t have the overwhelming urge to leave, even once. And considering that was how I felt during The Joker, I think that’s saying a lot. Am I saying it’s better than The Joker? Umm..NO. But, it wasn’t as painful as I expected.

Overall, I thought the movie was ok. The action was decent, the acting was ok and I didn’t hate it. I give it a seven, but think it is better to catch the matinee. And go to one of those places that serve food and wine. It will make it more fun. 🙂