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Charlie's Angels
Special Edition
review by Zach B.
Rated PG-13
Studio: Columbia/Tri-Star
Running Time: 99 minutes
Starring Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, Lucy Liu, Bill
Murrary, Tim Curry, Kelly Lunch, Sam Rockwell, Crispin
Glover and the voice of John Forsythe
Written by Ryan Rowe & Ed Solomon and John
August
Directed by McG (Joseph McGinity Nichol)
Retail Price: $27.98
Features: Commentary With Director McG and Director Of
Photography Russell Carpenter, Getting G'd Up Featurette,
The Master And The Angels Featurette, Welcome To Angel World
Featurette, Angelic Attire Featurette, Angelic Effects
Featurette, Wired Angels Scene, Deleted And Extended Scenes,
Outtakes and Bloopers, Music Videos, Talent Files,
Theatrical Trailers
Specs: 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen, English Dolby
Digital 5.1, English Dolby Surround, French Dolby Surround,
English Subtitles, French Subtitles, Chapter Search (28
Chapters)
It's pretty fair to say that Sony Pictures (who owns
Columbia and Tri-Star) is laughing at most of us now. And
you know what? They deserve too. After rumors and rumors
about the production of "Charlie's Angels", many thought the
movie would be a giant bomb. From the rumors of the on set
cat fights to the constant rewrites and the film going over
budget, "Charlie's Angels" seemed to have "stinker" written
all over it. But after everything (and the stars saying most
of what was reported was not true), it turned out to be a
giant hit, and Sony believes they have a new franchise on
their hands.
I personally thought the movie was going to bomb after
all what I heard. And also considering the fact how many TV
shows are made into movies, and how nearly all of them are
terrible, "Charlie's Angels" just didn't seem to have what
it takes despite hot stars and a huge budget. Were people
really going to catch on to a remake of a popular 70s and
80s TV show without the original cast members?
Well, people did catch on. It's also a good example of
how you may think something to be very true, and it turns
out to go the opposite way. "Charlie's Angels" was a
domestic smash during November 2000, and critics actually
did like the movie, thinking it was good old, somewhat campy
fun. I have to admit I saw this movie in the theater with a
friend, and while I was not looking foward to it, I ended up
really enjoying it. Simply put, it's a perfect example of
what a movie should be: to have a good time.
Yet within all the popcorn entertainment, there is an
actual plot to the film. Mysterious millionare Charlie owns
a private detective agency with three female agents. Natalie
(Cameron Diaz), Dylan (Drew Barrymore) and Alex (Lucy Liu).
You also have Bill Murrary as Bosley (who's role is minor,
but still very enjoyable). So within all of this, the angels
are asked to get back from stolen technology that could mean
the end of privacy. So there action sequences, fun moments
and predictiable twists and turns. The twist and turns are
supposed to be shockers, but you really just know what's
going to happen (well, I did at least from the way things
seemed).
The movie is very fun. It's campy and mocks itself with
some cheesy slow motion effects and shots we've seen over
and over before. Still, I was really impressed with the
movie altogether. There are some fantastic action sequences
and stunts, including a really well filmed climax/finale.
They're a blast to watch and are very entertaining.
The film also has some really good editing and some great
style, thanks to director McG, who has directed dozens of
music videos and some TV commercials. I give a lot of credit
to him, because it seems in part of him the movie works
really well. McG seems to have a future in the industry, and
this is a good showcase. He's young and hip, and he really
fits the job for the movie.
The acting is fun and silly yet it works, and there are
some fun, kooky moments too. Again, it's just a fun movie.
It's not deep, it's not a masterpiece, but it's what
audiences love. It's very entertaining. If you have had the
slighest interest in "Charlie's Angels", definently check it
out. Again, I was really surprised how good it was.
"Charlie's Angels" is presented in 2.35: 1 anamorphic
widescreen, and it looks excellent. Colors are vibrant and
very well saturated though sometimes a bit oversaturated.
There's good detail as well as strong black levels. Textures
are handled very well, resulting in no artifacting where one
may think there may be. The bright colors and tones of
scenes look really good, there are accurate hues to behold
in this transfer. The only downside to this transfer is a
good amount of grain and dirt on the transfer. Still, this
is a fantastic image that everyone should be really pleased
with.
Since this is an action movie, it shouldn't be much of a
surprise that there's a strong Dolby Digital 5.1 mix. The
loud and high energy rock and hip-hop music are well mixed,
making this a very discreete track. Also, the crashes,
explosions and zooms sound excellent, with fabulous
surrounds and sidewall imaging. Dialogue is clear and easy
to understand. This is a very nice movie to show off your
sound system. It's not way over the top, but very well
recorded and it suits the movie quite well. Be sure to crank
your speakers up! French and English Dolby Surround tracks
are included with English and French subtitles.
This Special Edition will not disappoint (McG himself
said he was going to be highly involved with the disc),
starting with a Commentary with McG and Russell
Carpenter. This is a very good track, as the two have a
lot of praise for the actors and the film itself. They
discuss very interesting behind the scenes stories, and
there's a lot of insightful information on the film's
techniques and shots, which really interested me. If you
enjoyed the movie, listen to this commentary.
Getting G'd Up is a short featurette about the
movie's director, McG. Interviews from the cast and crew are
included (and McG), as well as some cool behind the scenes
clips and movie clips. There's no denying that McG is very
energetic and enthusiastic (all the interviews say that
too). Oh yeah... McG also likes to clap a lot. This
featurette is in full frame, two channel sound and lasts
just a little over six and a half minutes.
The Master And The Angels is another featurette
that lasts a little over seven minutes and has clips,
interviews and some good behind the scenes clips. It's a
very interesting featurette about the fight training and
fight sequences, and it seemed to be a really intense
process. Definently check this out. Also in full frame and
two channel sound.
Welcome To Angel World is a five minute featurette
that is in two channel sound and full frame, and focuses on
the production aspects of the movie such as the sets. While
I'm not really into this sort of thing, I found it to be
pretty interesting on what was used exactly, the whole style
and how.
Angelic Attire: Dressing Cameron, Drew and Lucy
focuses on the wardrobe of the movie and what the Angels
wear during what scenes and what. It's pretty insightful
actually as far as the scenes of the movie go. It's also
pretty in-depth and features interviews and clips from the
movie. It 's full frame, two channel and lasts a little over
three minutes.
Angelic Effects lasts seven minutes (and yes, it's
full frame and two channel) and has a load of interviews,
behind the scenes clips and shows how the effects were done.
The opening shot is discussed and explained in-depth as well
as the car scene, the "Magic Bullet", the helicopter scene,
explosions and "making swiss cheese", an action gun shot. I
found this to be very interesting and intriguing, so be sure
to watch it if you're curious about the sequences.
Wired Angels is an uncut version of the alley
scene. Basically, rough footage with quick cuts and wires...
an uncompleted scene. There are some sound effects and
noises, but it's pretty interesting to see the shot in it's
original form before computer effects. McG introduces it and
it's in full frame. It lasts two minutes and thirty-three
seconds.
Deleted And Extended Scenes has three scenes in
non-anamorphic widescreen and two channel sound. Each also
is introduced by McG. It's pretty obvious why they were cut,
but they could fit back in and are fun.
Outtakes And Bloopers is basically what's shown at
the end credits... without the credits burned in. So if you
can't stand the words blocking them at the end, here they
are in their full, clear anamorphic two channel glory.
Talent Files are included as well as Production
Notes in the keep case insert, plus Music Videos
in non-anamorphic widescreen and two channel sound. The
videos are the hit "Independent Women Part 1" from Destiny's
Child and "Charlie's Angels 2000" from Apollo Four-Forty.
Finally, you have a load of Theatrical Trailers. You
get the teaser and full Charlie's Angels trailers in
anamorphic widescreen and 5.1. While the movie is 2.35:1,
the trailers for it are in 1.85:1. My Best Friend's
Wedding is anamorphic but in 2.0, Crouching Tiger,
Hidden Dragon is 2.0 and full frame, Vertical Limit
is 1.85:1 anamorphic and 5.1, The Adventures Of Joe
Dirt is also in 1.85:1 anamorphic and 5.1, and rounding
it out is Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within in 1.85:1
anamorphic widescreen and 5.1 Dolby Digital. I'm a huge fan
of the game series and the movie looks incredible. On a side
note, the animated menus are really well done, loud and are
very nice.
I was really surprised how much I enjoyed the movie. This
is sure to be a big seller. If you liked the movie or wanted
to check it out, now's your chance. Excellent supplements
and fantastic audio and video make "Charlie's Angels"
another fantastic Columbia special edition.
 (3.5/5 - NOT included in
final score)
 (4.5/5)
(4.5/5)
(3.5/5)
(3.5/5, NOT an average)
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