Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle

The first time you see the three leads together in this film, they are moving Natalie (Diaz) into her new house. They are in the living room.  Suddenly, they snap into line and start dancing to MC Hammer’s ‘U Can’t Touch This’. This pretty much sums up the angle the film takes: the three girls are on-screen for about 90% of the time, and they dance, fight, flirt, pose and get through (and out of) a frankly scary amount of costumes. If you are averse to seeing a lot of Mlles. Diaz, Liu and Barrymore, this might not be for you.

Luckily, for those willing to put up with their cavorting (put down your FHMs, gents), the film is actually pretty good. Put your brain on hold, because this is non-stop in the truest sense of the word. McG sometimes seems to be directing a music video, so tight is the choreography, music and editing. A disc containing the identities of people on the witness-protection scheme has been stolen and its contents are being used for a murder spree, so the Angels are brought in to save the day.  They cross paths with Demi Moore, as a former Angel gone bad, and all kinds of chases, rooftop battles and warehouse confrontations ensue.

The film doesn’t pretend to take itself seriously, and the comedy is almost as important as the action.  Bill Murray is sadly missed, but the replacement Bosley (Bernie Mac) is a perfect substitute, and there are great turns from John Cleese, Matt Le Blanc, Luke Wilson, Carrie Fisher, Pink and even Bruce Willis in an uncredited cameo.

Apply here for an evening of simple fun, a damned good soundtrack and one of those rare films where everyone involved looks like they’re really enjoying themselves. As will you.