Annie

Rating:
Summary: Almost as good as the original Broadway show...
Review: This has been one of my favorite musicals ever since I saw the original Broadway show back in 1978. The Disney version of this classic show is much, much better than the overblown, overdone 1982 film because it is much more faithful to the stage production, even though there are a few minor plot changes.

I felt that the singing and acting was quite good. Alicia Morton was a great Annie, and Audra MacDonald played Grace Farrel, Oliver Warbucks secretary to a tee. Kathy Bates was as good of a Miss Hannigan as Carol Burnette was in the 1982 version of the film. The only person that I thought was miscast was Victor Garber as Daddy Warbucks. In all honesty, Albert Finney played the role so much better, and with more warmth and compassion than Garber. One of the big highlights in the film (for me, anyway) is Andrea McArdle's (the orignal Annie) cameo in the "N.Y.C." number. Most of the key songs from the stage show are there. However, "We'd like to thank you Herbert Hoover", "Annie", and " A New Deal for Christmas" are missing. And I admit, that I missed them in this production. Check out the CD from the original show to hear these tunes. All in all, this version from Disney is quite enjoyable, and I do recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: A beautiful new telling of the musical legend!
Review: Many people pass off ANNIE as a children's musical, when in actuality it has one of the most sophisticated scores and the book is of a higher standard than of many other shows. It still holds a record of something like the 8th or 9th longest running show on Broadway, and it is a delight among theatre-goers.

This new Disney version stays faithful to the stage score and script, not like John Huston's rambling version back in 1981 (refer to my review for this), and it is a delight to watch. It has that 'theatrical-style' feel to it.

The esteemed cast, the bulk of which are seasoned Broadway performers, include Kathy Bates as Miss Hannigan, Alan Cumming as Rooster, Audra McDonald as Grace Farrell, Kristin Chenoweth as Lily St Regis, Victor Garber as Daddy Warbucks and the lovely Alicia Morton as Annie. Making a cameo in the 'NYC' number as ''Star To Be'' is (oh happy day) the original Broadway Annie - Andrea McArdle.

The cast is sensational, and while I will not bring down the 1981 performers of Carol Burnett, Bernadette Peters and Ann Reinking, they are far more believable in their interpretations.

You must buy this new version of the Broadway smash ANNIE!

Rating:
Summary: No cigar.
Review: This film just doesn't compare to the original film. I liked that they included NYC, but the cast struck me as lackluster. When I heard Kathy Bates I was excited, but she pailed in comparison to Carrol Burnette. If you want your kids to see the story of Annie I reccomend finding a stage show.

Rating:
Summary: Much better than the other one
Review: When I bought this DVD for my 2 daughters, I was pleasantly surprised. The coreography is great, the storyline sticks to the original, and the actors keep the script true to it's original intent. And as an added plus, this version doesn't come across as scary as the original one, which is great for the [impressionable] kids. I give it two thumbs up!!

Rating:
Summary: Daughter LOVES it!
Review: My daughter, who is alomost 4, absolutely loves this movie. She wants to watch it over & over. We even had to buy the soundtrack to listen to in the car for her. It's much better than the 1982 version for younger children; it's a lot calmer & Miss Hanagan is not as mean. It can get a little annoying for parents, but kids love it.

Rating:
Summary: great entertainment
Review: I have seen the original movie which was good but a bit too long. This version was much better and I enjoyed some of the original songs from the stage version. My favourites were NYC and Something Was Missing sang beautifully by Victor Garber. I also like the dance sequence and singing version of Easy Street with Kathy Bates and Alan Cumming.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful
Review: I love the story, and thought that this version was awesome. The actors cast were perfect and the songs were great. I recommend this DVD with enthusiasm.

Rating:
Summary: A Good Movie, but Once Again Some Good Songs Are Left Out!
Review: I saw the Annie play and I liked it and I also went and saw the theatrical release of the movie that was made in the early 1980s starring Aileen Quinn, Albert Finney, Carol Burnette, Tim Curry and Bernadette Peters and I really like that version and thought they were all great and I have that version on DVD so when I was in a store and I saw the DVD for the Disney remake I bought it and I like it too and I think Alicia Morton, Victor Garber, Kathy Bates, Audra McDonald, Alan Cumming and Kristin Chenoweth were all very good and I enjoyed watching the movie but like the first movie I'm disappointed that some songs from the play were left out and I think this movie could have been a little longer and they should have included the songs that were left out of the 1980's version and a part of me is still hoping that a movie version will be made that will include every song from the original play. Even a filmed version of the stage play would be nice. They often filmed Broadway plays for their archives and now have put out several plays on DVD and video for the general public so I hope that if they filmed the original Annie play starring Andrea McArdle that they will put it out on DVD.

Rating:
Summary: Very good for the money.
Review: All I know is that I purchased it for my daughter when she was 2 1/2 and she LOVES it. She sings all the songs and still wants to see it several times weekly almost a year later!.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent! Perfect for Kids!
Review: I loved this version. I grew up with the Carol Burnett version which I loved, but was distressed when I watched it as a parent. It's full of sexual references and drinking. I don't mind a scene or two with drinking in it but the drinking scenes in that movie were way too much for a four-year-old. This version is perfect. It's a movie for all ages, and the singing and dance numbers are wonderful.