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Annie

Annie

List Price: $14.99
Your Price: $13.49
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Awful!!!
Review: I watched the original 1982 version when I was 10 years old. Since, I have watched the 1982 version an uncountable number of times and I still enjoy it.

Whe the 1999 version came out, I was initially very anxious to see how much it would measure up...let's put it this way...it doesn't even come close! The move was just plain awful!! I didn't want to give it even 1 star!!

The musical numbers were well-done, but the orphans were very boring and unenergetic. The camera pretty much stayed in one spot, whereas in the 1982 version the orphans literally put on and acrobatics show and was much livelier.

Albert Finny, Carol Burnett, and Aileen Quinn played a much more convincing cast than that of the 1999 Disney cast. Victor Garber was extremely soft, boring and unconvincing; he disappointed me the most! Daddy Warbucks is suppost to be a mean and cold-hearted billionare who is transformed into a loving father by Annie, but Victor Garber was waaaay too soft from the begining and there was no sense of change.

Although in this day and age, Carol Burnett's version of the abusive, drunken and lusty Miss Hannigan may be thought of as "not appropiate for kids", I think she played a more realistic and convincing character than Kathy Bates did. I watched Carol Burnett's Miss Hannigan as a kid and she didn't affect me in a bad way.

Don't waste you money on this! Rent it if you can, and BUY the 1982 version!! Compare the two and you'll know what I mean. Its so much more real and doesn't seemed to be the compressed and hurried movie as the 1999 version is.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: delightful
Review: I was never a fan of the musical Annie thinking it was too cutesy-poo. But this production is delightful. Kathy Bates, Kristin Chenoweth and especially Allen Cumming as the villains are really terrific. The young actress in the title role does not do a sickening Shirley Temple imitation as you would expect, but is actually quite good. I found the direction of this production really expert, and i enjoyed the musical numbers more than ever because the whole package was so much fun and not overly sweet. My ten year old daughter, who I bought it for, has watched it dozens of times already and is really in love with it. I recommend this DVD very much, especially for children, but also for adults who love musicals - non-sophisticated good fun old-fashioned ones. I was quite surprised at what a good time I had watching this. The "Easy Street" number can stand up alongside really classic numbers in movie musicals. It is quite a gem.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: One little orphan girl stands out... not Annie
Review: First time I saw this on video my eyes headed towards Duffy she was so sweet and cute. Infact when the orphans sang "You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile" she stood out. Anyway the movie itself is a classic remake but Duffy stood out in the crowd. I mean she's just naturally gorgeous. Watch this movie and look out for the special one...

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: What a heat-warming movie!
Review: A sweet tale of a orphan girl and how she changed the heart and life of a workaholic business man. It really showed how a child's love changes everything.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: My Daughter Loves Annie
Review: My two year old LOVES Annie. She sings the songs all day. And for parents, if you have to watch a video over and over...This is not a bad one to watch.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: I LOVE ANNIE!!
Review: I loved this version of Annie, so much more than the original. My daughter is not too into television, but she will sit and watch this movie over and over and over..and I'll sit right there with her. We just don't get sick of this one. This movie is the best!! I highly recommend it and am looking for others that will please us like this one did! Its a life saver.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Not impressed
Review: I didn't care for this version at ALL. The bright spots were Andrea McArdle, Kristen Chenowith and Alan Cummings! But the orphans were dull and underused, Kathy Bates was NOT mean enough and Victor Garber wasn't gruff as Warbucks is supposed to be. Alicia Morton has a sweet enough voice, but she is NOT Annie material...she doesn't belt like Andrea McArdle or the other Broadway Annies I've seen! There's no power in her voice at all. Overall I was tremendously disappointed, and the ending was so awful I cringe just thinking about it.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Give it up for Annie!!!!!!
Review: Not having seen the original 1982 version of "Annie" or the stage version on which the film was based, I can honestly say that this is one of the best movie musicals I have ever seen. The only reason I was curious to see the film was because "Chicago" became my favorite film of 2002 and I was eager to see Rob Mashall's film directing debut. (Many people consider Chicago his debut, but this is it, although being made-for-TV). The cast is magnificant--Tony winners Audra McDonald (Grace), Alan Cumming (Rooster), and Kristin Chenoweth (Lily), plus four-time nominee Victor Garber (who makes a terrific Daddy Warbucks) and Les Misérables veteran Alicia Morton, who is absolutely mesmerizing in her portrayal of Annie. Oscar-winner and always terrific Kathy Bates is superb as the villainous Miss Hannigan, and surprisingly, she can SING!!! And although I haven't seen the stage version (as mentioned), Andrea McArdle's (the original Annie) cameo was very clever. Mention must also be made to the orphans, whose renditions of "Hard Knock Life" and "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile" were absolutely sensational. That said, ALL the numbers are show-stoppers and very catchy, and the story is truly heartfelt. At 90 minutes, it is a perfect running length, as opposed to the 130 minute original (if I get fussy after two hours, I can't imagine how a child will feel). Adults and children alike are bound to enjoy this version, which many consider superior to the original. I believe Rob Marshall's brilliant directing and genius choreograhy are to thank. He definitely matured in "Chicago", but this is a fantastic debut, and it is easy to see its influence in "Chicago" iself. I am not a huge fan of remakes, thinking them pointless, but this is one remake I am thankful for. Now, if only a special edition DVD with Commentary and Behind-the-Scenes is released. "Annie" is recommended!!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The Best
Review: This is ten times better than the 'official' movie, and much closer to the original stage version.

Buy!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Tomorrow, tomorrow...
Review: This version was originally produced for television by the Walt Disney Studios and knocks the socks off of the 1982 Aileen Quinn/Albert Finney/Carol Burnett version. Newcomer Alicia Morton (who played Cosette on Broadway) joins Broadway veteran Victor Garber and the phenomenal Kathy Bates to take a fresh look at a classic.

The main differences in this version are that it was staged more as a play - keeping true to its writing. Also, the producers were smart enough to get a cast that can actually sing! Morton's voice is beautiful and much stronger than fans are used to, but she does the songs justice. The sets and choreography are also worth an extra long look.

There are some differences, some songs have been cut (though NYC makes its appearance once again in a wonderful rendition by Garber). A few minor plot changes, line changes, and order of scenes make this version unique, but not necessarily better nor worse than any other.

Why 5 stars?:
This DVD offers a fresh look at a classic and has an excellent cast that can act and sing! They do what the 1982 version just couldn't - and do it well! This should be a part of every family's DVD library.


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