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Home » Entertainment » ANNIE Movie Review: A Wonderful Update to a Beloved Classic

ANNIE Movie Review: A Wonderful Update to a Beloved Classic

Posted by Marybeth | Read 16 Comments

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annie remake movie posterI think I’m in the minority when I say that remakes of classic movies excite me. I’m rarely skeptical of them, and I generally think that the people working in and on the new version work hard to do the original justice.

The 2014 version of ANNIE, starring Jamie Foxx and Quvenzhané Wallis, did not disappoint. To all those who really are skeptical, I want to shout it to everyone: I loved Annie!

I attended the Annie press junket in New York City last week. One part of that was an extra-special early screening of Annie!

Annie Movie Review and Synopsis

A Broadway classic that has delighted audiences for generations comes to the big screen with a new, contemporary vision in Columbia Pictures’ comedy, Annie.

Director/Producer/Screenwriter Will Gluck teams with producers James Lassiter, Will Smith & Jada Pinkett Smith, and Shawn “JAY Z” Carter, Laurence “Jay” Brown, and Tyran “Ty Ty” Smith with a modern telling that captures the magic of the classic characters and original show that won seven Tony Awards. Celia Costas serves as Executive Producer.

The screenplay is by Will Gluck and Aline Brosh McKenna, based on the musical stage play “Annie,” book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and on Little Orphan Annie, (C) and (R) Tribune Media Services, Inc.

Academy Award nominee Quvenzhané Wallis (Beasts of the Southern Wild) stars as Annie, a young, happy foster kid who’s also tough enough to make her way on the streets of New York in 2014.

Originally left by her parents as a baby with the promise that they’d be back for her someday, it’s been a hard knock life ever since with her mean foster mom Miss Hannigan (Cameron Diaz).

But everything’s about to change when the hard-nosed tycoon and New York mayoral candidate Will Stacks (Jamie Foxx) – advised by his brilliant VP, Grace (Rose Byrne) and his shrewd and scheming campaign advisor, Guy (Bobby Cannavale) – makes a thinly-veiled campaign move and takes her in.

Stacks believes he’s Annie’s guardian angel, but Annie’s self-assured nature and bright, sun-will-come-out-tomorrow outlook on life just might mean it’s the other way around.

Annie Movie ReviewAll in all, I think there are two major reasons to see Annie:

1. The cast: These people are in Annie for a reason!

I think Quvenzhané Wallis shines in the title role. Her voice is surprisingly gorgeous (more on that below!) and her sweetness shows over and over again in the movie.

I kind of like that I originally thought that Jamie Foxx was an odd choice for any part in Annie. he’s just so professional and multi-talented. But then I realized that’s exactly why he’s the perfect Will Stacks. He plays the most unlikely person to even consider adopting a foster child he takes in for a campaign move!

Rose Byrne and Bobby Cannavale are both fantastic character actors, and they both played their parts incredibly well!

2. The music:

It’s no secret that I’m a Broadway fan, but I admit that I’ve never taken much interest in the music of Annie. That being said, I got into several songs throughout the movie, and I found myself doing happy little bounces in my seat during or after my favorite numbers!

My favorite songs from Annie, hands down, were Opportunity, performed by Quvenzhané Wallis and Who Am I, a trio by Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz and Quvenzhané Wallis. They’re both beautifully performed and speak to the very heart of the movie.

I really can’t say it enough: Annie is entertaining from start to finish, it’s sweet and it’s a wonderful update to the beloved classic! It’s the perfect family film and a great movie to see during the holiday season.

Annie opens in theaters on December 19, 2014. Gather up your family and get your tickets now! 

Filed Under: Entertainment Tagged With: Annie movie, movie reviews, Sony Pictures

About Marybeth

I'm Marybeth - Mom of 2, wife to 1, pet mom to 3. I love finding fun activities to do with my kids, going on adventures, watching movies and baking delicious treats! I used to climb the corporate ladder, now I spend my days caring for my family and spoiling my handicapped dog.

Comments

  1. Elizabeth @ Being MVP says

    2014-12-16 at 5:27 pm

    Oh this looks like a great movie! Can’t wait to take the kids to watch it.

    Reply
  2. Holly says

    2014-12-16 at 6:28 pm

    I can’t wait to see this. I loved Annie a a kid. I had the dress, locket and perm.

    Reply
  3. Liz Mays says

    2014-12-16 at 7:17 pm

    I love this story! I can’t wait to see the updated version in the theatres!

    Reply
  4. Digna Dreibelbis says

    2014-12-16 at 7:45 pm

    When we saw a recent movie we saw the trailer for this. Can’t wait to see this when we can.

    Reply
  5. Shop with Me Mama (Kim) says

    2014-12-16 at 8:00 pm

    I have always loved this movie and I can’t wait to see this one with my kids! Cannot wait!!!

    Reply
  6. Penelope says

    2014-12-16 at 8:33 pm

    I can’t wait to see it. Annie was the first movie I ever saw in a movie theater, I LOVED it!

    Reply
  7. Andrew @ Mommy's Busy says

    2014-12-16 at 8:45 pm

    True story: Annie was the very first Broadway musical I ever saw. My parents took me and my sister when I was little. And all I remember about that day is that I lost my sweater in the theater. 🙂

    As for the movie, I’ll admit when I first saw the trailer I rolled my eyes at yet another remake and had zero interest. But over time, it’s grown on me and I am hearing some real good things about it. I might even try dragging my 2 boys to see it!

    Reply
  8. Crystal Green says

    2014-12-16 at 8:57 pm

    I never saw the original Annie so I’ll be able to fully enjoy and appreciate this movie when it hits DVDs. I’m excited for it because one of my favorite stars is in it.

    Reply
  9. Sara Phillips says

    2014-12-16 at 9:00 pm

    I’m not usually excited about re-makes but I can’t wait to see Annie! I love the actors they’ve used and I think it’s going to be great!

    PS: What a fantastic event to be a part of!

    Reply
  10. Stephanie says

    2014-12-16 at 9:30 pm

    Oh my gosh your post just reminded me: this song will be the new Frozen song that I’ll hear over and over again. 🙂 We are soo looking forward to seeing the movie!

    Reply
  11. Crystal says

    2014-12-16 at 10:42 pm

    I can’t wait to take my family to see this. The music is so fantastic, and I really appreciate that so many elements from the original were maintained.

    Reply
  12. Crystal says

    2014-12-17 at 9:17 am

    I don’t think I’ve ever seen the original Annie. Musicals usually don’t excite me too much, but this has me intrigued.

    Reply
  13. Avry says

    2014-12-17 at 12:31 pm

    I love the classic Annie. Would love to see this remake – I saw the previews and it looks super cute

    Reply
  14. Stephanie Keeping says

    2014-12-17 at 1:47 pm

    I love this! I can’t wait to see it.

    Reply
  15. Lynsey Jones says

    2014-12-17 at 2:46 pm

    I cant WAIT to see this! I think the cast is perfect! Cameron Diaz is amazing -and I have always loved Jamie Foxx! My girls are super excited – and I am super excited to have a new “this generation” version of such a great classic film.

    Reply
  16. HilLesha says

    2014-12-18 at 3:12 am

    I might not be able to see it this weekend, but I’m definitely looking forward to seeing this sometime soon! I love the casting. 🙂

    Reply

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