Annie (1999)

{clicked, just to be SURE! ya just nevver knoww}This production was an incredible waste of superbly gifted performers, everywhere from stage and big screen, to small screen! From the fantastic stage actor, Victor Garber, and Kathy Bates; she being the brightest spot in the whole production--a refreshing wellspring of fearless, tell-it-like-it-is talent; to the dynamic Audra McDonald, who I often saw while she was growing up, performing in stage plays in local theater back in Fresno, California. She shined technically, but not plausibly, as Grace.. she was just really, uncomfortably, out of place. I'm also quite a fan of the irrepressible Alan Cummings, he's always a giggle. Besides Kathy, and along with the girl who played Annie, he shined brightest, I think. Their parts weren't so affected by the gaping flaws in the film.For those who are too young to remember, or to have learned, what the time was really like, it might have been terrific! But for the rest us, who like productions such as this, with historic relevance, to remain at least somewhat intact, it was an endless barrage of "Why did they doo that?!"~ Start-to-Finish!As has been said, the music was tops. Okay, but you could put a tape/cd, the radio, or TV music station on and hear the same songs without the blatant, gagging, reality-bending, history-twisting PC baloney this piece offered--P U! Sure, there were a few glitches with the 1982 version.. Though the cast was terrific--Carol Burnett was a scrreeeam! {and that really was Tim Curry shushing down the banister, nO double!}--Some of Annie's little cast-mates were achingly posey and forced in a couple of the close- ups during dance numbers... and it may have gotten a bit heavy-handed, maybe, in a few places, but on the whole, it was light-years better than this mindlessly PC mess.Who knows.. If they can do this, maybe someday they'll do an all WHITE version of Porgy & Bess! Roots! West Side Story!..... Mmaaybe nott!~ -_-Sorry, Kathy, I love ya, but bad choice! BAD-BAD choice!!

First of all I really like both the 1982 version and the 1999 version- the reason why I do prefer the 1982 version is because that in particular is a childhood favourite. I do admit there was a time when I didn't really like this, but now considering that it was a TV remake, and that it is a lot more faithful to the stage play, it is not as bad as I initially thought. True it is too short, and despite her truly beautiful voice I just wasn't sure about Audra MacDonald as Grace. For my tastebuds, it was a tad sugary sweet at times for my liking. However, it does look lovely, and the music is marvellous, and the same with the 1982 version. The performances are great too. I really loved Aileen Quinn,(and I wish people would stop making horrible comments about her) but Alicia Morton is closer than what Annie is like in the stage show, in terms of age, and while both girls were wonderful, Morton has got the better voice. Annie's friends were well done too, but the scene stealer has to be Kathy Bates as Miss Hannigan, just like the wonderful Carol Burnett. There were times when she was absolutely hilarious, and Victor Garber while just lacking the gruffness of Albert Finney was a delight as Daddy Warbucks. Alan Cumming and Kristen Chenoweth were fine as Rooster and Lily, and I also much enjoyed the portrayals of Tim Curry(who is my favourite actor of all time and vastly underrated as an actor) and Bernadette Peters. This version is closer to the stage musical, and has a real Christmas feel to it. The problem I had with the 1982 version were John Huston's direction, and I know they changed the ending, but to be fair, the 1982 version is NOT the first musical adaptation to take liberties with the stage musical, how about My Fair Lady and Oklahoma! Overall, seeing this again recently proved my initial opinion of it wrong. 7/10 Bethany Cox

The cast is superb, and the screenplay is creatively loyal to the original Broadway script, but all that is beside the point. When Walt Disney reflected on the disappointing box-office performance of his animated feature, ALICE IN WONDERLAND (1953), he tersely explained, "It had no heart." We need only compare ALICE to CINDERLLA (1950) to understand what he meant. Perhaps many of his live-actor features met that standard, yet NOWHERE have I ever found a film with so much "heart" as this production. The Broadway original is said to have contained political overtones, and the 1982 motion picture was frankly crafted to reflect John Houston's considerable talents, but this version of ANNIE was made for all of us who want to be moved by a story and still feel jolly-well elated about the way it develops and ends. It takes quite a rare blend of ingredients to create a composition of this quality, no matter what kind of advantages its creators have at the start. This production succeeds for one overriding reason: everyone concerned put every last ounce of heart they possessed into it!

There are several aspects of this movie that I would like to comment on. Mostly I will compare this movie to the movie Annie from the 1980's. That acting, although it is better, fell short of my expectations. I loved how in the 1982 movie Annie was a spunky, unruly girl with matted hair and the most endearing smile I've seen in along time. I think that the actress was able to capture the true nature of Annie, who lived on the streets and in terrible conditions. As for the new movie, Annie is adorable, no doubt but she's rich adorable. Her shiny hair and perfect white teeth don't force us to look past it all and really love Annie for her personality. A second aspect I'd like to address is Mr Warbucks. In the newer movie he is kind of a push over, no offense but the actor who plays him is a sweet man, with hardly a bad bone in his body. But the first movie the man is arrogant, conceited and mean. His heart change is believable. As far as vocals go, I feel that the first movie is more endearing due to the slight lack in vocal talent. Annie, who's voice is decent for a girl her age, is adorable, and Mr Warbucks stumbling baritone is priceless! I don't think Annie (1999) even comes close to being as good as its predecessor. If you are going to introduce your kids to this great movie, do so the old fashioned way. Don't spoil them with a rich kid rose colored glasses view of poverty and love.