13 Going On 30 (2004)

Decent Rom Com in the tradition of "big"

"13 Going on 30" is a decent enough Rom Com about a 13 year old who through magic (never explained) wakes up to find herself as her 30 year old future self. Its two leads played by Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo are appealing and the plot has enough twists and turns to maintain interest. Despite featuring some awkward moments when Garner interacts with other 13 year olds both male and female, this film has its moments and provides an entertaining ride towards its inevitable conclusion. July 6, 2008

Fun and Beautiful Film.

Being a fan of everything 80's and romantic comedies, I decided to give "13 Going On 30" a try. I expected a fluffy but crappy film but boy, I was wrong. This film is brilliantly cast and very well written. This film keeps the viewer interested and on their toes the entire time. In my opinion, this film has become a classic and is not far away from my DVD player. I really recommend this film!

(May contain spoilers)

Jenna Rink is a teenager who is desperate to be considered "cool" and to fit in. Her ultimate goal is to be accepted into the popular clique, "The Six Chicks" lead by snobby Tom-Tom. She has a best friend, Matt, who believes that she is totally cool in her own way. Not realizing this, she invites the Six Chicks to her 13th birthday party where she believes that she will be finally accepted into the cool crowd. At the party, the snobs trick Jenna into thinking that she will get to play "Seven Minutes in Heaven" with hunk Chris Grandy. They leave Jenna in the closet and Tom-Tom tells Matt that he is wanted in the closet. When they ditch the party and Jenna realizes that her fantasy will not be coming true, she uses some wishing dust to turn her into a "thirty, flirty and thriving" adult. Fast foward seventeen years later and Jenna finds out that she lives the high life as a magazine editor in New York City. But she soon discovers that her life is very different from the life she had in mind.

She discovers that she and Matt had stopped being friends way back in high school and that she had become a member of the Six Chicks and had gotten everything that she had ever wanted. Jenna learns valuable lessons in friendship and love along the way. She discovers that her good friend Lucy (Tom-Tom) is a two faced backstabber and that her hockey star boyfriend is a sleazeball. To make matters worse, she has fallen in love with the adult Matt who happens to be engaged. Seeing her life unravel before her eyes, Jenna decides to make some changes for the better.

The cast in this film is brilliant. Jennifer Garner shines as an adult Jenna. Judy Greer is hilarious as Lucy, Jenna's coworker formally known as Tom-Tom and Mark Ruffalo gives a great performance as Matt. The real star of this film is Andy Serkis who plays Jenna's gay british boss, Richard.

The Special Edition DVD includes 18 deleted and extended scenes, a blooper reel, two audio commentaries from the filmmakers, "I Was A Teenage Geek", a featurette where the cast and crew give you some insight on their teenage selfs. A Making Of, the music videos for Pat Benatar's "Love Is A Battlefield" (1983) and Rick Springfield's "Jessie's Girl", (1981). Two 80's themed games, an outfit challenge where viewers create an 80s look and "Then and Now", where viewers match modern day necessities with their 80s versions. I would suggest buying this edition rather than the newer "Fun and Flirty" edition because some special features are cut and replaced with some needless featurettes.

Film: A

DVD: B

Cast: A+

Picture and Sound: A


This film shouldn't be missed!

Taylor Hodgkins 6/15/08

June 16, 2008

It's funny and romantic!!!

I saw this movie and it was funny and romantic. A whole story was good.
I laughed and I enjoyed the movie. April 28, 2008

Fun and light hearted

I really enjoyed this movie, it is cute, funny and left me with a smile on my face when it ended. I highly recommend this movie. April 14, 2008

Juvenile and boring

If I had seen this movie when I was thirteen years old, I'm sure that I would have loved it - but as an adult, I had to force myself to stay awake. The plot is simplistic and silly, and while Jennifer Garner has loads of charm, she's not a good enough actress to be believable. February 22, 2008

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