[Movie Review] Spunky New 'Annie' Irresistible As Ever
Editor’s Note: Guest reviewer Sue Artz, a lifelong fan of the original 1982 movie adaptation of Annie, gives her take on the latest re-imagining of a classic story for a new generation.
After seeing the 1982 Annie as a little girl, I wasn’t sure how I felt about a new, modern day version of my favorite movie. I was an adopted child myself, so I could really relate to Annie’s character and the 1982 version actually shaped my childhood.
Of course no remake could ever compare to the original movie and I couldn’t imagine seeing different actors playing the various characters, but I finally decided to give the new Annie a chance.
It took a little getting used to at first, but I was thoroughly entertained the entire time I watched the movie.
The new Annie, played by Quvenzhane Wallis, definitely managed to win me over by with her spunky personality, and she certainly deserves her Golden Globes Award nomination for her performance (as well as her 2012 Best Actress Academy Award nomination for Beasts of the Southen Wild, which made her the youngest actress ever nominated).
The sun will come out in ‘Annie’.
Actor Jamie Foxx as Will Stacks (the new version of “Daddy Warbucks”) seemed to have good chemistry with Wallis, and his musical numbers were surprisingly good.
Cameron Diaz played “Miss Hannigan”, which was not one of the typical roles she normally plays, so she seemed a little out of character to me. I thought she and Jamie Foxx were a little too nice in their roles.
The soundtrack was similar to the original Annie movie, but most of the lyrics were changed to fit today’s times, and there was a modern rock-beat behind most of the songs. I was a little disappointed with the music, because the songs didn’t have many of the same awesome harmonies as the original Annie soundtrack. With all of the amazing talented singers on those TV shows we have today, (The Voice, American Idol, etc…) I was just expecting more somehow.
I definitely would have liked to have seen much more of the orphans/foster kids, as their scenes in the original Annie were my favorites.
‘Annie’ will have everyone singing and dancing.
Overall, I thought they did a pretty great job making the new Annie. Quvenzhane Wallis carried the movie and played her starring role so well that I was able to look past all of the comparisons to the original Annie, and she made her way into my heart.
This is a great family film, especially for elementary school aged girls. I was pleasantly pleased and can’t wait to see it again!
Official Rating: 4.8 out of 5 Stars
Reviewed by: Sue Artz
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Annie (rated PG) is now playing at R/C KDH Movies 10 in Kill Devil Hills.
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Yay! Great review. I loved the movie too. My daughters can’t wait for us to buy the soundtrack…neither can I! 🙂