13 Going on 30 (2004)

Until I forced myself to sit down and watch this entire movie. Completely prepared to despise it after reading all the negative reviews; but am a big Ruffalo fan, and have always liked Jennifer Garner. After the first 20 minutes, my tv remote channel change finger was almost completely pressed until Michael Jackson's huge "Thriller" party number commenced. Admittedly, I'm a big '80's fan; which of course factored into my thorough enjoyment of this flick! Madonna, Pat Benatar hits...awesome dude!! Honestly Ruffalo and Garner had great chemistry and gave sweet performances. Any movie that makes me laugh and cry is a keeper. No spoilers; but if you loved "Big" (who didn't...and yes a better movie), you will also love "13". You'll just need to give it a little time :)

First know this: One of my favorite movies is "No Country For Old Men." Now "13 Going on 30" is a favorite too. I like both movies because they send powerful messages. I found this movie while searching for "Thriller" on YouTube. I knew my wife would love it, so we watched it together. I hit the mark, she loved it. HOWEVER, I really loved it too. So much so that I watched it again. 13 going on 30 has a simple story arch that is very well written, directed and acted. And I love simple done well. But then there's the message. This movie came out in 2004, but it's talking right at us in 2018 and beyond. I won't spoil the movie by writing the message here, but know that the writers were sending us a stern message in a sweet movie. The casting and acting are excellent and are spot on with the message.

13 Going on 30 is those body swap movies popular in the late 1980s such as Big and Vice Versa.In 1987, Jenna Rink a gawky girl yearns to be popular. After an embarrassing incident with the 'it' girls at her birthday party she locks herself in a closet and wishes she was 30.Jenna finds herself 17 years later in 2004, now played by Jennifer Garner, fashion magazine executive but with the mind of a teenager who has to stumble through this new grown up world she finds herself in.Jenna hooks up with old school friend Matt (Mark Ruffalo) who is a promising but struggling photographer. Matt was a geek back in the day but despite being her best friend then, he is cold and distant now as Jenna herself became an 'it' girl and then a tough as boots executive.The new Jenna has ideas to reboot the struggling magazine and wants Matt to do the photo-shoot but her ideas are stolen by a rival magazine and a close friend is doing the dirty on her.The film is about second chances and finding your true self rather than trying to be like other more popular people. Garner does her best with the role, playing the right amount of a gawky teenager in a woman's body without overdoing it, but really it is hard to believe Garner was once an awkward looking girl.Mark Ruffalo and Andy Serkis look a tad uncomfortable being in a romantic comedy. Serkis at least puts his all in as the magazine editor, Ruffalo looks he is solely in this film because his agent told him that it would be a good move for his career.

The story of the movie is as follows: Jenna Rink (Jennifer Garner) is a 13-year-old girl, who was not among the popular in his school. Her wish is that he becomes friends with girls who are popular. After a really bad day, ruined birthday party, Jenna was locked in a closet and wants only one thing, that is 30 years old. Her wish is fulfilled, the day became thirty years girl. The story has already been exploited so many times that at the very beginning know the storyline and ending. I'm not saying that the movie is a complete failure when it comes to jokes. Has a few silly scenes, but they are rare. As for the stars Jennifer Garner was good, I think, is not a difficult task to play a girl of 13 years. But she was definitely the best part of the movie. The film received several nominations for the Teen Choice Awards. Which is fully justified, because it is designed for teenagers, who have 13 years old. Which will after this movie sigh, and think something like, "I'd love to love like this happen to me" or "I wish I was as Jenna Rink. Skip this movie if you have more than 13 years.