Rating: 
Summary: FULL SCREEN ONLY DVD MAKES ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE!
Review: "Annie" is the original movie based on the highly successful Broadway musical, based on the highly popular comic strip character - little orphan Annie. I'm going to refrain from reiterating the story herein, because I have already reviewed the previously issued DVD. Herein, I am taking the opportunity to lambast Columbia Home Video.
TRANSFER: IT'S NOT WIDESCREEN. Enough said! You can't squeeze a 2:35:1 aspect ratio image into a 1:33:1 t.v. screen so you get what film buffs, such as myself, have been screaming about for years - a chopped up version of the movie (affectionately known as pan and scan)that in no way captures either the scope of the image or the director's original intent. This short coming alone leads me to fail this DVD on all accounts. That the cropped image is quite often blurry, at times hopelessly out of focus, and truly a weak transfer for its color balancing, contrast and black levels, is inexcusable. I'd really like to know why Columbia decided to re-release this movie on DVD. Certainly, no updates to the image quality have been made and worse still - the film is missing 50% of its picture. Misguided doesn't even begin to sum up Columbia's blunders on this disc. Also, the audio remains the same strident mix as before. No audio clean up or noise reduction leads to dialogue sounding way too forward and unnatural, while the songs screech, rather than sing, across your speakers.
EXTRAS: Some, but not enough to make you forget that "Annie" is just about the most miserable looking DVD experience you've seen in a long while.
BOTTOM LINE: To Columbia executives: get a clue! Get a 'really big' clue. To the consumer - save your money!
Rating: 
Summary: Original "Annie" Movie One of My All Time Faves
Review: "Annie" one of the all time classic movies of the '80's. They don't make movies like this anymore. "Annie" is a musical movie with a story behind it.Annie, played by Aileen Quinn, is a red-headed orphan who dreams of life outside of the orphanage. Away from orphanage's head-caretaker. Miss Hannagin, played by Carol Burnett. Through some clever nugging Annie is chosen to stay with "Daddy" Warbucks, Played by Albert Fenny, for a week. Things take off from there. Rounding out the great cast are Ann Reinking, Tim Curry, Bernadette Petters and Geoffery Holder "Annie," is not just a bunch of song and dance numbers thrown together to make a musical. Sure song and dance is there, brilantly I might add, but as a second element in the movie. If you have not yet seen the original "Annie" movie; you are in for a treat. I for one, can not see anyone else in these landmark roles. If, you are old enough to remember the original "Annie" movie. Here is your chance to own a classic. Recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Original "Annie" Movie One of My All Time Faves
Review: "Annie" one of the all time classic movies of the '80's. They don't make movies like this anymore. "Annie" is a musical movie with a story behind it. Annie, played by Aileen Quinn, is a red-headed orphan who dreams of life outside of the orphanage. Away from orphanage's head-caretaker. Miss Hannagin, played by Carol Burnett. Through some clever nugging Annie is chosen to stay with "Daddy" Warbucks, Played by Albert Fenny, for a week. Things take off from there. Rounding out the great cast are Ann Reinking, Tim Curry, Bernadette Petters and Geoffery Holder "Annie," is not just a bunch of song and dance numbers thrown together to make a musical. Sure song and dance is there, brilantly I might add, but as a second element in the movie. If you have not yet seen the original "Annie" movie; you are in for a treat. I for one, can not see anyone else in these landmark roles. If, you are old enough to remember the original "Annie" movie. Here is your chance to own a classic. Recommended!
Rating: 
Summary: "Annie" is superb!
Review: "Charmless and dull"??? What planet are you on?
This movie is superb, complete with great stars and terrific musical score. It's definitely a classic, to be enjoyed many times -- one to share with family and friends.
Rating:
Summary: one of the best movies ever made
Review: ...It seems like so many people are saying that the 1999 Disney version was so much better than this one, which I don't understand. Yes, the 1999 film was very good, but this older version is so much better (in my opinion). .... In that respect, they did a great job with this movie. Aileen Quinn IS Annie; she becomes the character both inside and out. When you watch her in this movie, it's pretty hard to imagine anyone else who could have done better. She's spunky, sweet, caring, and feisty--that's who Annie is, and that's what Aileen Quinn brought to the character. The singing was outstanding too--this is a great movie for children as well as adults....I've been watching it for as long as I can remember and I still love it. It's a classic! .......it's one of the best "Annie" versions out there, if not the best.
Rating:
Summary: The quintessential '80s family musical!
Review: A great family classic, this version of Annie only improves when compared with Disney's recent lackluster remake of the same name. Albert Finney's Daddy Warbucks is a classic archetype of big business affected by inevitable conscience, and Carol Burnette's comic genius is amply displayed in her portrayal of Miss Hannigan as a boozing witch with an eventual heart of gold. The music is phenomenal and the choreography makes me long for the lost genre of musicals. If you (or your children) haven't seen this movie yet, don't wait a minute longer -- click that mouse and bring this great movie into your collection!
Rating: 
Summary: Why shucks! Not the only ginger hair ball on DVD!
Review: A great film, for its time, but never near what 'Annie' is meant to be. Don't get me wrong, I loved this little ginger fuzz ball for years but sadly the film is inferior to both the true Broadway intention and a more recent Buena Vista / Disney re-make. The latter is much more true to Broadway grandeur and razzmatazz which, in my opinion, could well leave this little orphan waiting for a 'tomorrow' which will never come.
Rating: 
Summary: CLOSE, BUT NO CIGAR
Review: A terrific, outstanding cast couldn't save this one. Rule #1 in transferring musical to screen--never, EVER tamper with the numbers. For some reason, the musical was completely retooled for the film, with half of its best numbers dropped. If you've never heard or seen the original musical production, this version has nothing to do with the actual broadway show. Consequently, it's way inferior. What made the musical great was that it wasn't just about "Annie," but Christmas and the Great Depression. There's nothing about that in here, so the movie loses all the poignancy of the original. Rule #2--to make a successful show to screen transfer, the numbers have to be shot in a fantasy style. Sounds corny, but I'm telling you--it works (See the modern version of "Pennies From Heaven." As gritty as the storyline is, it works as a musical precisely because the numbers are shot so unrealistically). When you shoot a musical in a completely realistic style, no matter how good it is it will never have the magical feel that makes musicals feel so special; the film will just look like a regular movie with a bunch of dopes singing out of context for no reason. That's exactly what happens here. There's no magic or charm in this "Annie," although the cast had enough of it. Oh, well--what a shame--this could have been better than it was.
Rating:
Summary: If you like family musicals you'll love ANNIE
Review: A very upbeat 1980's musical. The cast was great and are all from broadway roots. This movie adaptation was nice to watch. The musical numbers are additive and the story simple. Little ophran (1930's) trys unsuccessfully to find parents and ends up living happily ever after with a Billionaire "Daddy Warbucks." The kids will love it and encore watchings will be frequent. You'll be humming or singing the tunes too. Great family addition to the musical library. DVD transfer nice and vibrant with good sound.
Rating:
Summary: A quality family evening of entertainment.
Review: After watching the new Disney version of "Annie" I believe I prefer the original one. Being the mother of three daughters who are into music, we enjoyed it then. (They are 26,24, and 19 now so they were around Annie's age when it first came out.) They called each other to reminisce when the Disney version was being televised. They remembered each and every word of the songs but were upset that Dumb Dog was omitted. Ah, sweet memories of childhood. We need more movies that appeal to children, have a good moral message, and don't have so much special effects. Children can relate to these kinds of movies if we just let them.
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