October 25, 2000. Copyright, 2000, Graphic News. All rights reserved

THE GIRLS ARE BACK IN TOWN
By Mark Samms

LONDON, October 25, Graphic News:  TRANSFERRING a television series to the big screen is always a risk. Doing so more than 20 years after its initial success could easily be regarded as an act of desperation.

However, encouraged by box office returns for ÒThe FugitiveÓ and ÒMission ImpossibleÓ, Drew Barrymore formed a production company and backed her hunch to resurrect ÒCharlieÕs AngelsÓ. It may well prove to be a shrewd investment.

The original concept is one that appealed to both men and women. The woman watched the fashions, hairstyles and make-up techniques of stars Farrah Fawcett, Kate Jackson and Jaclyn Smith. The men just watched.

Three beautiful crime-busters, guided in their endeavours by CharlieÕs disembodied voice and avuncular encouragement from Bosley (played in the remake by Bill Murray), is a concept that doesnÕt date. Only the faces have changed, with Barrymore joined by Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu (of Ally McBeal fame).

The one person toÒappearÓ in both the TV and film version of CharlieÕs Angels is John Forsythe, who supplies the voice of Charlie.

Speculation as to who would made the grade as a 21st Century angel was rife, with Hollywood hot properties Angelina Jolie, Liv Tyler and even Spice Girl Victoria Beckham amongst those in the running.

If anything, the film version is sexier and more outrageous than the TV series. Every opportunity is taken to feature the girls in flimsy costumes as they embark upon hand-to-hand combat, parachuting, kick-boxing and automobile stunts.

Despite a spiralling budget which eventually peaked at $90m, countless rewrites from a reported 14 script writers and hints of tension on the set, CharlieÕs Angels appears to have got the thumbs-up from fans.

It is undemanding, unashamedly kitsch, full of flashy gadgets and gloriously over the top. It could be one of the seasonÕs most unexpected movie successes.
/ENDS

Release dates
November 3: United States
November 5: Japan (Tokyo International Film Festival)
November 15: France
November 23: Australia, Hungary
November 24: UK, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden
November 30: Argentina, Czech Republic, Germany
December 7: Netherlands
December 14: Slovenia
December 22: Estonia

Sources: IMDb.com, movie magazines