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All-Reviews.com Movie/Video Review
13 Going On 30
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  out of 4
| *Also starring: | Phil Reeves, Alex Black, Alexandra Kyle, Shana Dowdeswell, Jack Salvatore Jr., Kathy Baker, Joe Grifasi, Mary Pat Gleason, Merris Carden, Lynn Collins |
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 Review by Susan Granger 3½ stars out of 4
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It's a new twist on a familiar time-tripping concept. New Jersey, 1987: Jenna
Rink (Crista B. Allen) is a nervous, awkward 13 year-old. When her birthday
party is a social disaster, she wishes for deliverance from the angst and
insecurity of adolescence and - sure enough - when she awakens, it's 2004.
Jenna (Jennifer Garner) is now 30. She's gorgeous. She's glamorous. She's
giddy. She's giggly. She's got a lavish Manhattan apartment and a studly
athlete/boy-friend. She's the editor of "Poise," a fashion magazine. She's cool
and popular. But - above all - she's confused. How did she get there? And what
happened to the last 17 years of her life?
Writers Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa ("What Women Want") strike notes of
truth as they add tantalizing new twists to the same amusing fantasy that Tom
Hanks handled in Penny Marshall's "Big." And director Gary Winick turns this
sweet, romantic comedy-with-a-message - Be True to Yourself - into a great,
rollicking romp about second chances and turning back time.
Jennifer Garner of TV's "Alias" is particularly delicious in her exuberant
innocence. She's a vivacious, natural comedienne, one of the brightest, most
talented new actresses to emerge in recent years. As her editor-in-chief, Andy
Serkis skillfully emerges from CGI anonymity as the Golem in "Lord of the
Rings." As her confidante, Judy Greer hits just the right duplicitous note. And
as Jenna's now-grown "first love," Matt Ruffalo is charming and credible,
particularly when she gets him to join her moonwalking to Michael Jackson's
"Thriller." On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, "13 Going On 30" is an
engaging 8 - a clever and beguiling chick flick that could turn out to be a
terrific date movie. Bring on the "Wishing Dust," along with the popcorn.
Copyright © 2004 Susan Granger
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