In recent weeks a lot of women have told me that they were dreading a throwback to a television show that excused its celebration of bimbohood by placing its female characters in traditionally male roles. The PG-13 rating says it all. When it comes to portraying its women, Charlie's Angels is neither here nor there. On the other hand, I could have done without the scene where Barrymore licks a steering wheel in order to distract a limo driver. But if Charlie's Angels isn't as patently sexist as the old TV show, it's mainly because it gives off such a consistently cheerful and innocuous vibe.
Much credit goes to the three leads, all of whom look fabulous and are clearly having a blast.
That's not even to mention the sight of Murray donning a rubber sumo wrestling costume and duking it out with another scenery-chewing bad guy, played by Tim Curry. Or the appealing, hip-hop infused soundtrack. And make sure to ask for extra butter on your popcorn.