ON-DEMAND REVIEW: Annie (2014)

ANNIE (2014)

RELEASED: December 19th, 2014 (Theaters), OUT NOW (DVD & ON DEMAND)

RATED: PG

RATING: ****/*****

PREMISE: (via IMDB) Academy Award® nominee Quvenzhané Wallis (Beasts of the Southern Wild) stars as Annie, a young, happy foster kid who's also tough enough to make her way on the streets of New York in 2014. Originally left by her parents as a baby with the promise that they'd be back for her someday, it's been a hard knock life ever since with her mean foster mom Miss Hannigan (Cameron Diaz). But everything's about to change when the hard-nosed tycoon and New York mayoral candidate Will Stacks (Jamie Foxx) - advised by his brilliant VP, Grace (Rose Byrne) and his shrewd and scheming campaign advisor, Guy (Bobby Cannavale) - makes a thinly-veiled campaign move and takes her in. Stacks believes he's her guardian angel, but Annie's self-assured nature and bright, sun-will-come-out-tomorrow outlook on life just might mean it's the other way around. 

THE PRO'S: Very, very faithful to the spirit of the original movie while doing its own thing. Well acted, cast, and sung. A surprisingly fun performance by Cameron Diaz who also shocks with a great singing voice. Very, very fun overall.

THE CON'S:  Could have done with a less-rushed ending.

THE REVIEW:

Annie has come with a lot of controversy, from the change of her race (handled in a very funny way at the beginning of the film), to the change of musical style. But I am here to say my gut instinct was right from the get-go: Annie is JUST as fun as the original, and lived up to every expectation I had.

The story of Annie has gone through some changes from the original. Annie Bennet is an abandoned child in the foster care system, in the care of bitter Miss Hannigan (portrayed as far less evil here). When prospective mayor of New York City, and Daddy Warbucks stand-in Will Stacks inadvertently saves her from being hit by a car, she creates a media sensation. Stacks, seeing an opportunity, takes Annie into his home for publicity, but what neither suspect is that a warm bond that begins to form between them both, as well as Stacks's vice president, Grace. 

Let's start with the obvious: how well did they modernize this movie and musical classic? In my opinion, they did a GREAT job! It definitely keeps the same spirit of the original, and tells the same story in a new way. Some story beats are the same, while others are changed, moved around, or omitted. But overall, everything that needs to be there, is there.

The most impressive is that they don't handle the foster home exactly like the orphanage. Sure, Hannigan is still overbearing and bitter. But they also acknowledge the state of foster care is very different than that of a depression-era orphanage. And those who worried they wouldn't can rest easy, because it is handled very well with this being put in mind.

The acting here is really great. The young actress who plays Annie,  Quvenzhané Wallis, is a little bundle of energy. By the looks of it, considering how well she did with this, and from what I've heard, Beasts of the Southern Wild, she has a long and lucrative career ahead of her. And wow! Whta a voice too! She has the potential to be a powerhouse when she's older. For that matter, big shout outs go to Jamie Foxx, Rose Byrne, and Cameron Diaz, who all do exceptionally well. With Diaz surprising me with her excellent vocal talent from what little she gets to sing. 

Everyone's favorite tunes such as "Hard Knock Life", "I Think I'm Gonna Like it Here", and "Tomorrow" are all there. And, to my surprise, wonderfully modernized without ruining the originals in any way. The composer and songwriter both knocked it out of the park, doing a fantastic job of delivering a great blend of old and new styles. 

The only complaint I have with Annie is how quickly the ending is rushed into. Without spoiling it if you've never seen the original, a bit of history between characters is cut. And thus it comes off as sort of rushed, and is resolved very quickly. That said, the way it is resolved is clever, and thus, I could let it pass without it hurting the film too much.

So....

IN CONCLUSION:

Annie is a heart-warming, family-friendly, and enjoyable little film that is worth a look for fans new and old. It remains an inspirational and fantastic story, even though the times have changed. See this one with the kids too, as this has a great message every kids should hear.

4 OUT OF 5 STARS
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED