Charlie's Angels (2000 film)

Plot

Natalie Cook, Dylan Sanders, and Alex Munday are the Angels, private investigators working for unseen millionaire Charlie Townsend, who communicates via speakers. His assistant Bosley works with them directly when needed. Charlie assigns them to find Eric Knox, a software genius who created a voice-recognition system and heads Knox Enterprises, believed kidnapped by Roger Corwin of Redstar. The Angels infiltrate a party held by Corwin, spot a suspicious man they call the Thin Man, chase and fight him; he escapes, but they find Knox tied up nearby.

After reuniting Knox with his business partner Vivian Wood, Charlie explains they must determine if the Thin Man stole Knox's software. The Angels infiltrate Redstar headquarters, plant a device in the central computer, and give Bosley a laptop to explore it remotely. Dylan spends the night with Knox, who then betrays her; attacks are made on Natalie and Alex, Bosley is captured by Vivian, and Corwin is murdered by the Thin Man. Knox reveals his kidnapping was faked to access the Redstar satellite network to find and kill Charlie, whom Knox says killed his father in the Vietnam War.

Dylan escapes, reunites with Natalie and Alex, and they find Charlie's office exploded. Bosley communicates via a tooth-implanted radio transmitter, leading them to an abandoned lighthouse. Dylan is captured, tied up, and gagged.

Production

In June 1998, Charlie's Angels was reported as one of several Aaron Spelling-produced TV series in development for a film adaptation. By July, the project was being developed at Sony Pictures. Drew Barrymore was set to star and produce through Flower Films in February 1999. Cameron Diaz joined as a co-lead in April.

Thandiwe Newton was close to signing as the third lead in October but dropped out due to scheduling problems; she later said she declined because she did not want to be objectified or play racial stereotypes. Lucy Liu took the role. McG later said Bill Murray headbutted him during filming; Murray denied this. Other actresses considered for Alex included Jennifer Lopez, Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Aaliyah (deemed too young), and Nia Long (deemed too old).

Reception

The film opened on November 3, 2000, earning $13.7 million on its opening day and debuting at number one. Its first weekend gross was $40.1 million, dethroning Meet the Parents. Domestically, it grossed $125,305,545. Against a $93 million budget, it earned $125.3 million in North America and $148.8 million elsewhere, for a worldwide total of $264.1 million, making it the 12th-highest-grossing film of 2000.

Critics gave mixed reviews. Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave an average grade of A-. David Edelstein of Slate called it charming and wittily self-aware. Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly gave a B grade, praising Diaz's performance.

Peter Travers of Rolling Stone called it a guilty pleasure, praising the wire work and fight choreography. Desson Howe of The Washington Post said the gals are fab and so's the movie. Todd McCarthy of Variety noted Diaz conveyed happiness to be in the film. Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave half a star, calling it a movie without a brain.

Manohla Dargis wrote that it was terrible. Mick LaSalle of the San Francisco Chronicle called it an utter debacle, blaming director McG.

Sequels

A sequel, Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, released in 2003, with Diaz, Barrymore, Liu, and John Forsythe reprising their roles. Bernie Mac joined as Jimmy Bosley, Demi Moore had a major role, and Jaclyn Smith reprised her role as Kelly Garrett. A third and fourth film were confirmed but cancelled in 2004. In 2015, Sony began development on a new installment, directed and produced by Elizabeth Banks.

The 2019 follow-up starred Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott, and Ella Balinska as new Angels, with Banks and Djimon Hounsou as Bosleys, and Patrick Stewart as John Bosley. Jaclyn Smith appeared again as Kelly Garrett. Robert Clotworthy voiced Charlie, replacing Forsythe after his death in 2010.

Did You Know?

• The film was released on VHS and DVD on March 27, 2001.
• A two-disc Superbit Deluxe DVD release premiered on May 27, 2003, coinciding with the release of Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle.
• The film was released on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on October 22, 2019.