Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle [M]

Once upon a time there were three very different girls who grew up to be three very different women. Sexy secret agents Alex, Dylan, and Natalie have really got their hands full with this new case of theirs. Beginning as a rescue mission in Mongolia, the tantalising trio are then thrust into a case bigger than expected when they learn that two titanium rings containing a coded list of people in the Witness Protection Program have been stolen and are planning to be sold amongst various mafia groups. The plot then thickens when, in an attempt to save the next target of an assassin, some home truths about Dylan come out putting her two best friends in danger. 

What a good way to end the night: with a bit of good ol’ girl-on-girl action. I loved the first Charlie’s Angels and this one takes the rollicking action, comedy, and good times to a whole new level. After all, it wouldn’t be called Full Throttle for nothing right? 

Once upon a time there were three very different girls who grew up to be three very different women. Sexy secret agents Alex, Dylan, and Natalie have really got their hands full with this new case of theirs. Beginning as a rescue mission in Mongolia, the tantalising trio are then thrust into a case bigger than expected when they learn that two titanium rings containing a coded list of people in the Witness Protection Program have been stolen and are planning to be sold amongst various mafia groups. The plot then thickens when, in an attempt to save the next target of an assassin, some home truths about Dylan come out putting her two best friends in danger. 

I first want to draw attention to the soundtrack. Like in many of Quentin Tarantino’s movies, the soundtrack here provides a fair bit of the comic relief with certain songs reflecting certain disguises the girls wear: two of my favourite being ‘The Lonely Goatherd’ when they’re posing as nuns and ‘What a Feeling’ from Flashdance when they’re posing as welders. It takes a bit of a nerd to see these things, but that’s where I earn my stripes. 

The camaraderie between the central trio is even more pronounced in this movie and more infectious too, which is what I think really sells it. You need a good dose of the contrary to counterbalance all the action, explosions, and fight sequences and hugs, laughs, and general friendly banter that seems to come so naturally to our leading ladies just gives the movie that little lift that it needs. 

There is a lot more intrigue in this than the first movie as well, without the writers going overhaul, which is always something to applaud. Mixed in with the central intrigue of the ‘Halo rings’ we’ve got these separate stories that flesh out the entire thing and bring various levels of drama and comedy into the mix. On top of the main mystery we have the story of Dylan’s past and its catching up to her and then on top of that we have the added progression of Natalie and Pete’s romance, which (for a minute) threatens to break up the family that is Charlie’s angels. All these blend together brilliantly and make for an entertaining, rollicking, and heart-warming movie. 

Starring Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, Lucy Liu, Bernie Mac, Crispin Glover, Justin Theroux, Robert Patrick, Shia LeBeouf, Demi Moore, Matt LeBlanc, Luke Wilson, John Cleese, and featuring cameos from Andrew Wilson and Bruce Willis (I’ve watched this movie numerous times and only tonight realised these two where in it), Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle is a fast-paced thrill ride that have your lids hanging onto your brows. Filled with action, friendship, a few sexy outfits, romance, and comedy, it’s a great film and a great sequel, which aren’t words you hear all that often.