‘Charlie’s Angels’ Review

It’s always rather disappointing when a movie doesn’t have all of its puzzle pieces fitting together. With this new sequel/reboot of Charlie’s Angels which is helmed by writer-director Elizabeth Banks, there are too many weights tied to the ankles and preventing it ascending. Much of it has to do with the fact that it lacks cohesion across departments which equals a story full of stitches and unnecessary cuts.

The new trio of leads, Kristen Stewart (Sabina), Naomi Scott (Elena) and Ella Balinska (Jane), are definitely the best part of the film. They have infectious chemistry between them and every single one of them does great work here. Stewart is the biggest surprise as her wild and rowdy character, showing a completely new side of her as an actor with some nice comedic banter. Scott follows up her ‘Aladdin’ stint with another sparkling performance while Balinska takes more charge with the action scenes. From the first moment these three are combined on the screen, it just locks into place. Regarding the story elements, the plot freshens things up a bit whenever there is some type of a plot twist and they never get old or tedious.

Where the lack of cohesion comes though is the stitched-up editing of it all. A lot of things are at fault: redundant drone shots that happen during place/scene transitions, disturbingly unfitting soundtrack which doesn’t fit the tone at all and the way scenes always start by building up to a joke that doesn’t land. The action scenes are an absolute eyesore for a current movie, you can’t make out anything that’s happening from the close-up shots and quick edits to whole different perspective. Charlie’s Angels also lacks identity when it comes to its visual outlook which is why the score also misses the mark as it doesn’t have anything to hold onto or build itself around.

Smileys: Acting, story

Frowneys: Editing, stunt choreography, soundtrack

To put in to Twitter terms: the actors deserved better.

2.0/5