All 3 Charlie’s Angels Movies, Ranked

All 3 Charlie’s Angels Movies, Ranked

“Good morning, angel,” the voice on the phone would say. “Good morning, Charlie,” the three lovely women replied. The 1976 premise Charlie’s Angela crime drama that aired for five seasons on ABC and revolves around three talented, capable and tough women who solve crimes while working for an elusive and invisible boss, Charles Towsend. Like any popular IP in Hollywood, the series was brought to the big screen in the new millennium with two films in 2000 and 2003, followed by a reboot in 2019.




The three Charlie’s Angel Movies aren’t exactly the pinnacle of the action genre. By the numbers they’re uneven and pretty, content to offer basic entertainment and more than a few laughs with a few occasional action set pieces that stand out without really redefining the genre. However, they have actual value, whether from nostalgia – the first two are perfect representations of the early 2000s – an appreciation for their often unintentionally campy sensibility, or a genuine fondness for their brand of comedy and action. They’re also pretty unique, both good and bad; You can accuse them of many things, but these films are anything but boring. This list ranks all three Charlie’s Angel Movies based on their narratives, action sequences, humor and overall quality.



3 “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle” (2003)

Director: McG

Cameron Diaz, Drew BarrymoreAnd Lucy Liu came back together for the second time in 2003 Charlie’s Angels: Full throttle. The plot sees the group on a mission to recover two missing rings that contain the true identity of every person in the witness protection program, including Dylan’s (Barrymore). Meanwhile, they realize that they are against the violent and dangerous Irish criminal Seamus O’Grady (Justin Theroux), a figure from Dylan’s past, while crossing paths with the legendary Madison Lee (Demi Moore), a former angel who may be hiding secrets of his own.


Charlie’s Angels: Full throttle Is louder, dumber and far more clumsy than its predecessor. The action is more over-the-top but only half as compelling, with excessive use of slow motion and far too over-the-top choreography to be believable without skill or style. Diaz, Barrymore and Liu are still entertaining and captivating leadseven if the script does its best to portray her as one-dimensional eye candy, and Moore is a scene-stealing villainwhere he makes the most use of Madison’s one-note characterization and greatly enhances the film. The late one Bernie Mac is also a worthy addition, adding much-needed comedic energy to an otherwise dull film. Unfortunately, the cast’s efforts aren’t enough to save this misguided film from mediocrity; Charlie’s Angels: Full throttle contains all the worst qualities a sequel can have: It sacrifices any kind of emotional connection or ambition in favor of cheap jokes, disappointing action, and so much cheese it could put a Domino’s out of business.

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2 “Charlie’s Angels” (2019)

Directed by: Elizabeth Banks

Sabina, Jane and Elena in fighting position in Charlie's Angels
Image via Sony Pictures Releasing


A reboot of Charlie’s Angel This was always bound to happen – if anything, it’s quite surprising that it took more than fifteen years for it to happen. Finally, in 2019, Elizabeth Banks stepped behind the camera to direct the Oscar nominee Kristen Stewartformer Disney Channel star Naomi Scottand relative newcomer Ella Balinska in a new version of the popular IP. This time the plot revolves around scientist Elena (Scott), whose newly invented energy source falls into the wrong hands. Recruited by the Townsend Agency, Elena joins two top agents, Sabina (Stewart) and Jane (Balinska), as they attempt to recover it and save the world.

2019 Charlie’s Angel is a strange effort. It’s exciting enough, but something is missing – Style? Elan? Individuality? In fact, it’s a pretty solid action vehicle, even if, despite its charm, it’s not particularly memorable. The film is a pulpy mix of genresfocusing entirely on the sisterhood between the three characters while paying little attention to the supporting characters, including the villain. In fact, Charlie’s Angellacks a truly great action movie villain to take it to the next level – no offense to the Lord Patrick Stewartwho can only do so much with a paper-thin role that’s made even deeper by one of the most obvious twists in film history. Stewart, Scott and Balinska are good, if a little underdevelopedespecially compared to the two trios before them, but they just can’t do everything on their own. Banks, as Bosley, is there to help the girls, but she also feels overwhelmed. The result is a chaotic and unnecessarily constructed film which leaps forward as often as it stumbles, and never quite rises above average.


Charlie's Angels 2019 Poster

Charlie’s Angel

Release date
November 15, 2019

Duration
118 minutes

writer
Evan Spiliotopoulos, David Auburn

1 “Charlie’s Angels” (2000)

Director: McG

Alex, Natalie and Dylan have a hand-in on the beach in Charlie's Angels
Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

The first Charlie’s Angel The film certainly isn’t perfect, but it’s fun. Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu play Natalie, Dylan and Alex, three beautiful and extremely capable agents who work for the Townsend Agency under the direction of the mysterious and invisible Charlie. The trio is tasked with rescuing kidnapped billionaire Eric Knox (Sam Rockwell) and helps protect its speech analysis software from dangerous hands. Assisted by Charlie’s assistant Bosley (Bill Murray), the angels embark on the mission, not knowing that it will be far more dangerous than they could have imagined.


Charlie’s Angel Is a great mix of action, humor and cheesecake. It takes a confident and tongue-in-cheek approach, often winking at its audience every time a particularly silly joke or dialogue is uttered. Diaz, Barrymore and Liu fit together perfectly, creating an effortless dynamic that carries the film to the top. The trio delivers three equal movie star performances who skillfully support every aspect of the film and move it forward with effortless charisma. Equally important, Rockwell does what he does best: Playing one of the most despicable and angriest villains who is as cool as he is powerful. Aside from the drama behind the scenes, Charlie’s Angel is a pretty incredible action film that aims to entertain without having any higher or more complex demands. It’s loud and proud of what it iswho flashes the world a radiant smile just enchanting enough to captivate any viewer ready to be conquered.


Charlie's Angels poster

Release date
November 2, 2000

Duration
98

writer
Ryan Rowe, Ed Solomon, John August, Ivan Goff, Ben Roberts

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