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Movie: 13 Going on 30 (2004)
Director: Gary Winick
Players: Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo
Grade: A
First of all, do not categorize this movie as a rip-off of the 1988 film Big. While the basic storyline might be the same, they are definitely different. It’s been over 25 years since Big hit the theaters anyways.
13 Going on 30 is the story of how a nerdy 13 year old girl, Jenna, wishes to be older in order to be taken seriously and so the popular kids won’t treat her like a misfit anymore. As soon as you are introduced to Jennifer Garner, you start to laugh. She embodies her character completely, and you begin to believe that she really is thirteen.
There are so many things to love about this film. Every scene is very colorful from the super cool clothes Garner wears to the gorgeous spring setting in New York City. In the mix of the story is Mark Ruffalo’s character, Matt. Jenna and Matt used to be friends when they were both 13. Matt, now 30 like Jenna, has moved on and Jenna has no idea that they are no longer friends. She reenters his life, and their chemistry is yet another thing that keeps the audience enthralled.
The movie will put a huge, dorky smile on your face and you’ll feel like a kid again. You’ll want to go buy some Pop Rocks, bust a move to some vintage Michael Jackson, wear bright colors, frizz your hair until it’s three times its normal size and all the other wonderful things we did in the 80’s.
This is a feel good movie to the max (pardon the pun). You’ll have a blast!
Random movie quote: “I gave her my heart, and she gave me a pen.” –From Say Anything starring John Cusack
Movie Vault Recommendation: Rent Kill Bill, Vol. 1. Despite the very disappointing conclusion of Kill Bill, Vol. 2, this first Tarantino installment will leave your mouth in a permanent ‘O’. Wait, is that really Uma Thurman with a samurai sword?!?
