Today we get to see the first trailer for one of the more surprising reboots/remakes/sequels of 2019, Charlie’s Angels.
Charlie’s Angels is a film based on the TV series of the same name that was on air from 1976-1981. The original series starred Kate Jackson, Jaclyn Smith, and Farrah Fawcett and is largely regarded as a great achievement in 70s feminism and action TV alike. Then in the early 2000s there were 2 movie adaptations that starred Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, and Lucy Liu that are largely regarded as… having been movies that existed.
In this newest iteration our main team will be played by Naomi Scott (Aladdin), Kristen Stewart (JT LeRoy), and Ella Balinksa (The Athena). In this version it seems the private spy-for-hire agency has franchised out all over the world, with Bosley–formerly the name of the Angels’ boss–becoming a job title.
The trailer makes the movie look like it will be a fun romp. There’s action, glamour, and comedy. Kristen Stewart looks to be having the time of her life. Naomi Scott’s character will be the audience’s introduction as the new recruit to the team. And Ella Balinksa will be the badass former MI6 agent.
Maybe the most interesting thing about this Charlie’s Angels is that it seems to be the singular vision of Elizabeth Banks. She is doing triple duty as writer, director, and actor (Bosley). Going all the way back to the excellent Wet Hot American Summer, Banks has shown great comedic and acting chops. But much like the criminally underutilized Judy Greer, Banks is usually relegated to the angry girlfriend (Role Models) or the sexpot comedy relief (40 Year Old Virgin). She recently was allowed to cut loose in the 2017 film adaptation of Power Rangers (which also starred Naomi Scott) as the scenery chewing villain, Rita Repulsa. And it was fantastic to watch! She also produced and starred in the incredibly funny Pitch Perfect, so I look forward to seeing where she will take this franchise.
On a final note (pun intended), we need to talk about the music. After beginning with Janelle Monae’s “Make Me Feel,” it launches into a car chase featuring what I could have sworn was Fergie’s “London Bridge.” But it’s not! The movie is also hyping a collaboration between immortal pop androids Miley Cyrus, Ariana Grande, and Lana Del Rey. The full track has not been released as of this writing.
Charlie’s Angels will also star Patrick Stewart and will be released on November 15th, 2019.
Are you excited for another Charlie’s Angels adaptation? Do you think anyone else is? Or is this movie doomed to the mediocrity of its fellow sequel-to-a-movie-adaptation-made-in-the-2000s-based-on-IP-from-the-70s, Shaft?
