Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

Charlie's Angels Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman March 11, 2020

In this latest iteration of Charlie's Angels, there plenty of "want-to" and "can-do" but little "reason-to." The film doesn't really follow in the footsteps of its predecessors -- whether on the small screen or the big screen -- maintaining the general character makeup but ditching much of the overt sex appeal in favor of a disappointingly rote by-the-numbers storyline and unimaginative action sequences. There's little here to become excited about. It's a serviceable movie in every way but hardly memorable and certainly not at all a necessary inclusion into the growing Charlie's Angels canon.

A new clean energy harnessing technology known as "Calisto" is set to change the world and change lives. For the worse. One of the technology's developers, Elena Houghlin (Naomi Scott), is being silenced about a fatal flaw in the technology that could have fatal repercussions for anyone who uses it. Attempts to silence the whistleblower are taken when she meets with Edgar Bosley (Djimon Hounsou) who is killed and Elena is left for dead but rescued by Townsend Angels Jane Kano (Ella Balinska) and Sabina Wilson (Kristen Stewart). Now, the Angels, plus Elena, are tasked with exposing the truth behind Calisto before the technology falls into the wrong hands.

Charlie's Angels has little going for it in the arena of creativity. Beyond the recycled title and (updated) world revisit, the movie builds around a pretty standard suite of action, humor, and characterization that is barely distinguishable on its own merits. The movie has little feel for character -- character defined as personality and identity, not named individuals in the script -- and precious little feelings for purpose. It's competently put together and delivers baseline entertaining qualities, but the movie offers little more beyond limited scope and even more limited structural ingenuity. The movie works within the confines of mindless entertainment that hearkens back to yesteryear, but even compared to the style-over-substance McG films there's an almost impressive vacuousness in play with this take that literally feels like it was made from prefabricated components rather than work to introduce any organic originality, even within the prism of its roots.

Arguably worse, but also no surprise, is the completely inconsequential storyline. It’s been crafted as a framework only with little concern beyond its ability to adequately propel the movie’s forward momentum, to bring the characters together and move from action scene A to action scene B and so forth. Audiences will certainly not be on seat’s edge wondering about Calisto’s impact on the world at large. It’s a tiresome contrivance that even the assembled, talented cast cannot overcome. The girls looks great and fight hard, committing to the parts with gusto, but there’s such a loose, undemanding, unrelentingly vapid framework around them that even good looks and butt-kicking action can’t save. Shame, because the core material is ripe for a good updating. Just update it with a better story next time.

Charlie's Angels Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The picture yields clarity in abundance and highly satisfying detail with regularity. The picture is resplendently sharp and leaves nothing to the imagination within the 1080p resolution's reach. Complex facial textures, dense hair, expertly crafted clothes, gorgeous natural and manmade locations: the entirety of the production benefits from the format's ability to render it with precision and grace. Colors are equally impressive, boasting incredible contrast, depth, and brilliance. Tones are in balance and in abundance throughout, with perfectly defined natural greens, popping clothes, solidified environmental colors, natural skin hues, and quality black levels all in play. Noise sometimes appears inorganic, sharp, and frozen, with banding and a few compression issues visible as well. But these are relatively minor inconveniences in a larger picture of Blu-ray excellence.

Charlie's Angels Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

As with most of Sony's dual Blu-ray-UHD releases, this Blu-ray includes a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack rather than the UHD's more spaciously configured DTS:X offering. But also as is usually the case, the 5.1 presentation is quite effective in all areas; Blu-ray listeners will certainly be pleased with what Sony has on offer here. Action scenes are, unsurprisingly, the tip of the spear in terms of shaping the track's forward momentum. Gunfire is pleasantly crisp, deep and authoritative, with additional elements such as music and multidirectional details in the form of moving and crashing cars, screaming combatants, and so on creating a seamlessly intense and highly detailed din that positively and seamlessly draws the listener into the movie's many momentous action extravaganzas. These elements in isolation work well too, particularly the widely engaging musical pop beats, the immersive and detailed and balanced environmental ambience, and general dialogue, which is clear and well prioritized as it flows from a natural front-center position. Though it lacks the DTS:X track's greater feel for fullness, there's absolutely nothing wrong with Sony's powerhouse 5.1 Blu-ray offering.

Charlie's Angels Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Charlie's Angels includes deleted and extended scenes, a music video, and a handful of featurettes. A DVD copy of the film and a Movies Anywhere digital copy code are included with purchase. This release ships with a non-embossed slipcover.

• Deleted & Extended Scenes (1080p, 5:15 total runtime): Included are I'll Be More Punctual; Incredible Work; This Is Why They Call You Angels; I Was Bored; and You Got Played, Man.
• Gag Reel (1080p, 2:44): humorous moments from the shoot.
• Stronger Together: The Sisterhood of Angels (1080p, 7:33): The girls discuss their experiences working together on the film. It also explores character and actor qualities and how they elevate the film.
• Elizabeth Banks: as BoSSley (1080p, 5:17): A dedicated look at Banks' character and performance. It also explores reinterpreting the characters and franchise for a new generation as well as Banks' direction.
• Warriors on Set: Angels in Action (1080p, 5:55): As the title implies, this piece explores fight choreography and other qualities that impact the film's action scenes.
• Tailored for Danger: Styling the Angels (1080p, 6:17): Exploring the wardrobe and makeup that define the characters.
• Music Video (1080p, 3:53): "Don't Call Me Angel" Featuring Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus & Lana Del Rey.
• Previews (1080p): Additional Sony titles.

Charlie's Angels Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Audiences that can be satisfied with a generic smorgasbord of contemporary moviemaking ideas and constructs should find this version of Charlie's Angels a satisfying jaunt, but fans hoping for the sex appeal of its TV predecessor (the original, not the dreadful and mercifully short-lived remake) or the more muscular, but still svelte and sexy, McG films won't find it here, at least not in any quantity, that is. The movie plays well enough as cinema diversion if not a diversion that's all but indistinguishable beyond its name from so many of its peers. Sony's Blu-ray does deliver hearty video and superb audio along with a basic suite of extra content. Worth a look for anyone in search of a serviceable Saturday afternoon time waster.