| ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. | |
| PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. | |
| OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. | |
| NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Parents need to know that the violence in this reboot is more intense than in the original 1970s series, but less over-the-top than in the feature film. Characters carry weapons to defend themselves and that sudden moments of violence can include shootings and explosions that result in death. Like in the original series, the Angels also use their sexuality on the job -- but in a modern spin, so does their male colleague. In addition, there's some light language (mostly "bitch" and "damn") and social drinking, with some brand mentions (like Prada).
Making over the iconic 1970s series of the same name, CHARLIE'S ANGELS moves the action to Miami, where unseen-man-in-charge Charlie Townsend (voiced by Robert Wagner) assigns his "Angels" to an ever-changing roster of dangerous cases. There's Abby (Rachael Taylor), a girl of means with sticky fingers; Kate (Annie Ilonzeh), a once-lawful cop turned dirty; and Eve (Minka Kelly), a tenacious street racer whose friend Gloria was once an Angel, too.
Iconic as it is, the original Charlie's Angels wasn't known for its powerhouse acting. (In fact, it was arguably more famous for Farrah Fawcett's feathered hair.) So perhaps we shouldn't expect this amped-up remake to deliver performances that feel rooted in reality. The hammy dialogue doesn’t help. But combined with the overall high production value, you get the sense that "hammy" wasn’t really what the show’s creators were going for.
Viewers ready to latch onto the concept of three stylish, powerful women whose impressive moves command respect (until they open their mouths...) might be entertained. But if not, the Angels are in danger of joining the ranks of other failed rebooted classic TV icons like Knight Rider and Bionic Woman.
Families can talk about the show's theme of justice vs. revenge. Can you come up with a real-world example to help illustrate the difference between the two concepts? Which concept tends to produce a more positive outcome?
How does violence play into the plot? Does it seem excessive? If you've seen the original 1970s series, how does the level of violence compare?
Is the show sending any messages -- subtle or otherwise -- about gender and empowerment? How do the Angels compare to other female role models on television?
| TV rating: | TV-PG |
| Network: | ABC |
| Cast: | Annie Ilonzeh, Minka Kelly, Rachael Taylor |
| Genre: | Drama |