13 going on 30

6 June 2005 19:43 pm

Oh yeah! Jennifer Garner is back on our screens. Still anything after her role in Alias was going to be a come down. That said, 13 on going on 30 isn’t just about starring at Jennifer for 90 minutes, I’m informed it also had a storyline, plots, characters, etc. I might watch it again to check.

This movie was a weird one in that it got a higher rating from the major critics than it did from the majority. My attempt at an explanation would be that this was considered by many to be another generic kids movie whereas those who actually know what they are talking about also knew that it was a pretty good one.

For a movie of this genre it actually has a decent storyline. Jenna is 13 and wants to be one of the cool kids and also 30. She ends up with some magic wishing dust and when she wakes up she is a 30 year old working for the magazine Poise. She got everything she ever wanted, or so it seems. But she soon realises that she is actually a bitch with no real friends.

There are some issues here such as the fact that she soon seems to accept that she is 30 and gets on with your life. She is freaked out at the start but I have got to say, if that happened to be I think I would be freaked out for a little bit longer than that. But to be honest who wants to see a movie that is 90 minutes of “oh what’s happening to me?”

The jewel of the movie is of course Jennifer Garner who apart from the obvious attraction gives a wonderful performance as the 30-year-old Jenna. You can’t help but feel a little moved by her warm and inviting interpretation.

I was also drawn in by Mark Ruffalo’s performance as Matt, Jenna’s romantic interest in the film. He’s such a cool and laid back guy, why could I never have a best friend like that?

I’ve said it before and I will say it again – the ending may be generic but what do you expect when you come to see a film like this? For what its worth I think the film does it’s best to try and offer a twist at the end, you’ll understand when you see it.

It has quite a good soundtrack thanks to the Jenna’s childhood being 80’s (great decade for soundtracks for some reason I mean look at Donnie Darko) led by Michael Jackson’s Thriller and Pat Benatar’s Love is a Battlefield.

The script too brings back memories, such as when they go out to buy Razzles. Not that I ever actually ate Razzles as a hid but the whole thing with them turning your tounge red just invokes emotions. So many times have I thought, “I wonder what happened to those dweebs things I used to eat.” It has that feel about it.

It’s always a battle to win approval with these types of movies but 13 going on 30 makes a great attempt. It’s endearing and entertaining and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

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