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Movie Review - 13 Going On 30
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(What this rating means)
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| Director: |
Gary Winick |
| Starring: |
Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo, and Judy Greer |
| Rated: |
PG-13 (some sexual content and brief drug references)
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| Length: |
98 minutes |
| Genre: |
Romantic Comedy |
| Website: |
13 Going on 30 |
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PLOT
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Jenna Rink has always wanted to be popular. She's also in a hurry to grow up and has decided that thirty is the
perfect age. For her thirteenth birthday, she invites the popular crowd, the "Six Chicks," to her birthday party,
along with the cute boys they hang with (and of course, Jenna has a huge crush on one of them). She also invites
her best friend, Matt, who is not liked by the popular group. When the popular kids ditch her, she lashes out at
Matt, locks herself in a closet, and wishes repeatedly that she were thirty. Miraculously, some wishing dust that
was part of Matt's gift to her makes that wish come true, and Jenna wakes up as a beautiful, powerful,
thirty-year-old single. Cutesy Jennifer Garner hilarity ensues.
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MS. CALI'S TAKE
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Thirty-year-old Jenna (Garner) has no memories of the past seventeen years of her life. Somehow, she managed to
graduate high school and college, become the editor of thirteen-year-old Jenna's favorite magazine, Poise (well,
co-editor with her best friend, Lucy (Greer)), date a huge hockey star, and of course alienate her family and
everyone else along the way. Jenna has a reputation for being ruthless and cruel in her career. Of course, she
doesn't know that at first, still being the thirteen-year-old Jenna in her mind, and as she discovers these
things about herself, she takes a heartwarming journey to something or another.
Johnny's Note: Hahaha, that's funny.
She looks up Matt, the best friend she hasn't spoken to since the ill-fated birthday party, and he helps her
figure things out. The result is, as with most movies of this genre, predictable and kind of sappy. However, they
have so much fun along the way, you can't help but like this movie. Jennifer Garner seemed to have so much fun
with this role, and that translates to the audience as well. As my boyfriend put it, when she's happy, you're
really happy too, and when she's crying, your heart just breaks for her. There's a bit of a goofy quality to her
that makes you believe she really is a thirteen-year-old who wakes up to find herself thirty.
Johnny's Note: Whoa, wait a minute, Kelly actually said that? He
makes a good point, but I'm afraid you're going to have to ask him to turn in his "man card" for admitting
that his heart broke for her.
The first half of the movie is very funny, thanks mainly to Garner. Her reactions to thirty-year-old Jenna's life
are priceless and very believable. One scene, involving everyone at a party dancing to "Thriller," was so funny, I
laughed until I cried, and from the sounds in the audience it seemed most of them did too. The second half of the
movie slows down, and you're left with the same generic plot of most romantic comedies.
Johnny's Note: The "Thriller" dance scene - when I first saw it in
the trailer I thought it looked stupid and shook my head in disdain, but *sigh* I have to admit; it's a funny
scene. Yes, I laughed. Happy now???
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MAMA'S APPROVAL
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Would Johnny's mama like this movie? I don't think there's anything too offensive in it ... there are a few
instances of the word "b*tch," and in one scene, the hockey-player boyfriend does a strip tease and is shown in
nothing but his underwear. I wouldn't bring young children to this movie, but teens will probably find it funny.
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TRAILER COMPARISON
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If you watch the previews for this movie and think, "That looks like a cute, fun movie. And hey! They dance to
Thriller! That's gotta be funny, right?" then you'll probably enjoy this movie.
Johnny's Note: I'll be honest; the trailer didn't excite me at all.
It made me think the movie was gonna be REALLY cheesy, but I'm glad to say my biggest fears weren't realized.
The movie is better than I expected.
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JOHNNY'S TWO CENTS
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What can I say? I was pleasantly surprised with "13 Going on 30." I won't be adding it to my DVD collection,
but I wouldn't necessarily rule out a second viewing in the future. Sure, the movie is laced with some
amounts of sap and cheese, but overall it works out.
Jennifer Garner is charming, and I have to agree with Kelly that she does a really good job of conveying her
emotions and convincing you of them. I also liked Mark Ruffalo as her love interest. He plays the role cool
and isn't the typical annoying pretty boy you find in movies like this. I actually bought into the relationship
between him and Garner. Admittedly, things got all sentimental and fluffy at times during the second half of
the movie, but I was still interested in their relationship and how it would turn out.
Did I just say that? Man, what's happening to me? *looks down at chest* OH NO! I'M GROWING BOOBIES! No, wait.
Those are just my naturally muscular pecs. Whew. I need to see "Man on Fire" this weekend and get a shot of
testosterone quick.
Is this movie overly original? Nah, but who cares? My main concern is whether I'm entertained or not. Sometimes
I'm in the mood for 100% originality, and other times mere entertainment will do. You know, the critics who are
blasting the movie for being unoriginal aren't exactly shining beacons of originality. I wish I had a dollar for
every review I've read that said something to the effect of "I liked this movie the first time I saw it, when it
was called 'Big.'" Well, if it were only a dollar, then I'd probably have less than $10, and that'd be pretty weak,
but you catch my drift.
If you're looking for a spine-tingling, mind-puzzling romp through uncharted waters then you'll want to look
elsewhere. But if you're interested in a cute romantic comedy with a few laughs and convincing performances
that rises above the typical "teenage comedy," (and has a little 80s nostalgia to boot) then give "13 Going on
30" a try.
Ms. Cali, what's your gist?
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MS. CALI'S GIST
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"13 Going On 30" is a light, heartwarming romantic comedy that actually manages to have some genuine comedy. If
you're looking for a movie that doesn't require you to have to think about the plot and you don't mind the
generic, formulaic ending, you'll probably like this movie. My boyfriend even liked it, so it's a good date movie
too. Otherwise, you'll probably want to save yourself the $11 per ticket that I paid and wait until it comes out
on DVD. The first half is definitely funny enough to make it worth the rental price.
Photo Copyright ©2004 Columbia Pictures
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