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Throughout this whole summer, there have been countless films that
fumbled with its plotlines as CGI and more action
scenes took over the film. Nevertheless, some films have done quite
well with the fans ignoring the plot and simply enjoying what they
see on screen. If this is the case, the latest sequel to come out
should be a blockbuster. A few years ago, “Charlie’s Angels” came
out as a female counterpart to “Austin Powers” and made over $250
million dollars worldwide. Unlike the dramatic TV series that the
film was based on, “Charlie’s Angels” proved to be a fun, action,
and adventurous film that featured three lovely ladies who possessed
some funny bones within their acting skills. With a boatload of
money made from the first film, the sequel was inevitable. “Charlie’s
Angels: Full Throttle” is filled with a mindless plot, Matrix-like
stunts and enough girl power that improves on the first film. It’s
the one film this summer you know not to take serious because the
girls just wanna have fun.
The film starts with Dylan (Barrymore), Alex (Liu), and Natalie
(Diaz) on their latest mission as they try to rescue a man (Patrick)
who holds one of two rings that contains the names of all those
in the Witness Protection Program. While both rings are stolen and
placed in the wrong hands, each Angel has a personal issue they
must contend with. Natalie finally moves in with her boyfriend Pete
and thinks he may ask her to marry him so soon. Alex’s rich father
(Cleese) surprises her with his arrival and meets Jason, her boyfriend
whose relationship is currently on “time-out”; and Dylan fears the
end of the trio as Angels as well as the return of a past boyfriend. Meanwhile,
an old Angel, Madison Lee (Moore), resurfaces with a hidden agenda
and Charlie (the never-seen, but always reliable John Forsythe)
introduces the Angels to Bosley’s brother Jimmy (Mac). Trouble looms
when everyone's personal issues is mix in with the latest mission and once
again, the Angels’ lives are in danger.
The beauty of the film is off course the comedy. There are so many
plot holes that it doesn’t make a difference. None of the scenes
are structured coherently. In one scene, the Angels are in Asia
rescuing a guy, and in the nest scene, they are on a stakeout on
a beach in California. Director McG has imputed the film with enough fight scenes
to match any other action film this summer, and more scenes with
different outfits that’s equivalent to the number of shoes that
Carrie Bradshaw of “Sex in the City” has. Once again, Diaz is the comedic
ace of the trio. Any girl who can dance, fight, and hold her own against any man
without any fear is strictly irresistible. Barrymore, who also co-produced
the film, is somewhat resigned from her last performance in the
role, but still possesses the tough as nails wits to combat any
man, and Liu is utterly charming, but has little to do but be the
third angel like Kate Jackson’s Sabrina in the original series.
Replacing the comic genius Bill Murray seems like a difficult task,
but Bernie Mac stepped in his shoes with ease. Bosley was never meant
to a big role, and Mac added his persona to the role to make you
laugh and make you aware that he was in the film. In a comeback
performance, Demi definitely makes an entrance. Not only is she
physically in shape to match her counterparts, but she still possesses
the ice-cold attitude that made her a bankable star over a decade ago.
Rounding out the cast and making the film totally funny and enjoyable
are veteran comedian Cleese and “Friends” star LeBlanc. A number
of cameos by some big names are also jaw-dropping. The soundtrack
is “off the hook”. It’s filled with 80s classics such as “Mickey”,
“Living On a Prayer” and “Flashdance…What A Feeling”. You know
that you’re in a another time zone when you hear these hits. As
mentioned, it’s not the plot that matters when seeing the film.
“Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle” is all about action, and distraction,
and having fun.
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