The thing about this 2011 TV series that possibly alienated a lot of fans of the original show is that it feels, at least in this pilot episode, more like a remake of "Alias" (a high-tech spy show) rather than a remake of "Charlie's Angels" (a low-key detective show). And there is a big plot "surprise" that is hardly a surprise - it's practically given away even in the opening credits! Not to mention that it's hard for us to feel a sense of loss about a character we only meet in two short scenes. On the other hand, I was impressed by the fight choreography (also very "Alias"-like), which makes Minka Kelly, Rachael Taylor and Annie Ilonzeh (no complaints about this casting!) come across as actual combat experts, without going as over-the-top as the two theatrical films of 2000 and 2003. And there ARE some nods to the original series: familiar notes on the score, the Bosley-lookalike (before the new, younger, battle-ready Bosley is revealed), and the 1976 Ocean Drive sign. *** out of 4.
2 Reviews
Lifeless, Souless & Boring
mrbblee23 September 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Remember back in the day when all cop shows were either middle age men in raincoats or 20 something males with huge sideburns? Well one show dared to be different: Charlie's Angels.
In a time when the female role in most cop shows was reduced to either a minor role, sidekick or wife of said detective Charlie's Angels took those values and, quite rightly, turned them on their head. However, in this "reboot", all those values, and more, have been thrown out of the window.
Instead of ex-police officers we now have 3 former criminals (4 if you include Bosely...but I'll get to that later) who have very little in the way of personality. Abby, the rich girl turned cat burglar, seems to spend most of her time being hacked off with everybody, Kate, a former dirty cop who has the personality of a plank of wood and, finally, we have Eve a car thief who, I'm pretty sure, is being touted as the "tomboy" by the writers but comes across more like a Barbie doll with schizophrenia.
I fully understand that, when making a reboot, you need to make it differ from the original. But making Bosley a hacker who stole "a penny off each person's Tax Return" just gives you yet another reason to dislike this whole sorry mess.
Believe me, I really wanted to like this show but I found myself not caring about one single thing or warming to any of the characters. Even in a scene where one of the Angels is blown up by a car bomb I found their overall reactions to be both forced and wooden.
Are there any good points about this show? Yes, the plot was a fairly decent, albeit too familiar, story about human trafficking and would have worked had it had better actors in the roles and the level of writing seemed OK compared to some of the other recent reboots we've seen.
In conclusion I'd give it a 1 out of 10 and, I hate to say it, but I honestly don't think this show will make it past it's first season.
In a time when the female role in most cop shows was reduced to either a minor role, sidekick or wife of said detective Charlie's Angels took those values and, quite rightly, turned them on their head. However, in this "reboot", all those values, and more, have been thrown out of the window.
Instead of ex-police officers we now have 3 former criminals (4 if you include Bosely...but I'll get to that later) who have very little in the way of personality. Abby, the rich girl turned cat burglar, seems to spend most of her time being hacked off with everybody, Kate, a former dirty cop who has the personality of a plank of wood and, finally, we have Eve a car thief who, I'm pretty sure, is being touted as the "tomboy" by the writers but comes across more like a Barbie doll with schizophrenia.
I fully understand that, when making a reboot, you need to make it differ from the original. But making Bosley a hacker who stole "a penny off each person's Tax Return" just gives you yet another reason to dislike this whole sorry mess.
Believe me, I really wanted to like this show but I found myself not caring about one single thing or warming to any of the characters. Even in a scene where one of the Angels is blown up by a car bomb I found their overall reactions to be both forced and wooden.
Are there any good points about this show? Yes, the plot was a fairly decent, albeit too familiar, story about human trafficking and would have worked had it had better actors in the roles and the level of writing seemed OK compared to some of the other recent reboots we've seen.
In conclusion I'd give it a 1 out of 10 and, I hate to say it, but I honestly don't think this show will make it past it's first season.
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