Summer Cinema: ‘Charlie’s Angels Full Throttle’
Well the angels are at it again in “Charlie’s Angels Full Throttle,” and though the movie tends to be redundant and overdone, it is a sinfully good time.
In this helping the heavenly trio of Dylan (Drew Barrymore), Natalie (Cameron Diaz) and Alex (Lucy Liu) have to track done two rings encoded with the names and whereabouts of the people in the Federal Witness Protection Program. The rings have been stolen by rogue angel Madison (Demi Moore in a wonderful comeback) who plans to sell the data to every crime family in the United States. One of the families is led by Seamus O’Grady (Justin Theroux) Dylan’s old flame she put in jail for murder who has vowed to watch her die.
The film brings back all of the original stars except Bill Murray (who was replaced by Bernie Mac). It also manages to pack in more cameo appearances than an episode of “Fantasy Island” including Carrie Fisher, the Olsen twins, Pink and original TV angel Jaclyn Smith.
Perhaps the highpoint of the movie is its witty script. The angels each have their own distinct personalities, and each use different witty retorts. There is also a lot of wordplay on being an angel.
Moore was another highlight of the movie. Not only has she not lost any of her screen charisma during her film hiatus, she is one of the most delicious female villains to hit the screen in a long time. She may have missed her calling in life with all the downtrodden heroines she plays. There is also the nice jab of her killing Bruce Willis (playing a justice department man) in the beginning of the film.
Director McG brings his same frantic, disjointed style to the second film which had add a lot in the high-powered motor cross and fight scenes, but can be downright annoying in the straight scenes.
One of the most tiring things about “Full Throttle” is its redundancy in terms of the first film. We get the same introductions to the three girls (new scenes), the same basic plot lines and the same high-kicking action. In this second helping however, McG has felt like he has to top the mountain so to speak of the first film in every way. Well not only has he topped it but he has raced down the other side and climbed Everest in the process. Where can he possibly go from here? There is not much left for the angels. Besides, the opening sequence in Mongolia was to close to recent James Bond films to really have any merits of its own.
These points aside, “Full Throttle” is a rip-roaring good time, both funny and exciting, and is sure to flap its way to glory.
Grade: B+