Charlie’s Angels  ★★½

THE only reason I watched the 2019 version of Charlie’s Angels was Kristen Stewart.

She’s one of those interesting actresses who does some popular stuff in order to have the bank balance to pursue riskier, independent films inbetween.

Even then, she shouldn’t be involved in dross, provided her role radar is in good working order.

Unfortunately, in this case and her other recent commercial venture Underwater, the old radar needs a bit of tuning.

 This latest version of the popular 80s television series is no better or worse than the previous big-screen version which featured Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore and Lucy Lui.

In fact, for the first half, this Stewart/Naomi Scott/Ella Balinska starring version is quite fun with lots of alpha female banter and decent action.

But then something happens; it’s as if the decent writer left the building and the lesser one was left to complete the rest on their own. The film badly loses its way, becomes more ridiculous and the costuming and exotic locatione become the only saving grace.

Elizabeth Banks directs and plays a key supporting role and also was one of those beforementioned writers. Banks does not have a good directing pedigree with Pitch Perfect 2 and a segment of Movie 43, one of the worst comedies ever made, to her name.

The three leads are fine and the interesting supporting cast also includes Patrick Stewart, Nat Faxon and Sam Claflin, but it’s the locations, including Istanbul, Hamburg and Berlin, and the constant parade of costuming that most catch the eye.