Rating: Summary: "...I just lift up my chin and grin and puke!" Review: This is such a hideous musical. One of the most embarrassing musicals of the 1970s should have remained there. To keep this tripe alive, the amazing talents of director John Huston (seeing the rushes for this film must have been humiliating) Carol Burnett, Albert Finney, Bernadette Peters and Tim Curry were shamefully wasted. Luckily, the lead, Aileen Quinn was never heard from again. Little wonder! Everything about this movie is heavy handed and "creepy", from the clumsy and boorish musical numbers to the depressingly grim sets to the worst finale in musical film history. We won't even go into the tacky use of FDR and Eleanor Roosevelt for a rousing rendition of "Tomorrow" (a song that should have been left in a time capsule and never removed). Some may look at this movie with dewey-eyed sentiment. But I think many people will not be afraid to simply say "This is really, really bad." To the folks at Columbia Tristar responsible for immortalizing this tripe on DVD, thanks a bunch. Why don't you dig deeper in your film vaults?
Rating: Summary: Problem with the DVD Review: First off, I would like to make it clear that the 1 star rating is for the DVD, not for the film, which I would give 4 stars. I would like to warn anybody out there who is planning to purchase the DVD of this film that there is a major problem in the framing of the widescreen version. Throughout the film, there is a starnge electronic "zooming" that often causes viewer to lose picture on all four sides of the image! This is apparent in many of the shots of the film... Although, this problem lies only in the widescreen version, and that people purchasing the disc for the pan and scan version will experience no problems. Just felt I should let everyone know that.
Rating: Summary: The Sun Never Comes Out Review: This travesty ranks right up there with such notably disastrous stage to screen transfers such as A Chorus Line, Mame, Man of La Mancha, Hello Dolly, Camelot, South Pacific just to name a few. The sad thing here is this could have been an extraordinary classic movie musical considering how wonderful the original stage version was. It's as if the producers and director got together to purposely turn this into a cheap, ugly sideshow. Nothing, absolutely nothing works. The added songs are unbelievably bad, the choreography is appalling! Did you notice the dance number in Warbucks house where you can see the girls underwear during some of the kicks? Shocking! Bernadette Peters and Carol Burnett are rediculous due to bad writing and direction. Aileen Quinn is about as likable as watching OJ Simpson on the golf course. I remember when I saw this film in the theatres when it first came out and sitting there with my mouth open in disbelief. What can you say about a director who takes the most popular song in the show and only uses it over the main title? Thank God John Huston did not direct any other musicals! I am not too keen on the Disney version either but it is far superior to this garbage.
Rating: Summary: The quintessential '80s family musical! Review: A great family classic, this version of Annie only improves when compared with Disney's recent lackluster remake of the same name. Albert Finney's Daddy Warbucks is a classic archetype of big business affected by inevitable conscience, and Carol Burnette's comic genius is amply displayed in her portrayal of Miss Hannigan as a boozing witch with an eventual heart of gold. The music is phenomenal and the choreography makes me long for the lost genre of musicals. If you (or your children) haven't seen this movie yet, don't wait a minute longer -- click that mouse and bring this great movie into your collection!
Rating: Summary: Better than the stupid Disney version Review: This has to be the best version of Annie there is to own. I refuse to compare it with the Broadway version because theater adds/removes from Broadway productions. The cast in this production does an outstanding job. Carol Burnette does a great job as Ms. Hannigan and the kids do an outstanding job as well. The only complaint I have is of Punjab and his "magic", but he has a minor role in the movie that can easily be ignored.
Rating: Summary: A classic movie musical Review: One of my personal favorites. How much better can one get than happily ever after? Not true to the stage portrayal, but is the staged version true to the original little orphan annie cartoons, not really. This movie is an uplifting adaptation which is bound to make any little girl smile and sing along
Rating: Summary: Fine show Review: If you want the story the way it is presented on the stage, this is not the version for you. You will need to get the new Disney version with Kathy Bates.This film is NOTHING like the Broadway show, its an entirely different animal. Aileen Quinn stars as Annie, with Carol Burnett as Miss Hannigan, Bernadette Peters as Lily St Regis, Ann Reinking as Grace Farrell, Albert Finney as Warbucks and Tim Curry as Rooster. The director, John Huston, has turned the show into a huge, bellowing blockbuster, with huge fanfares and leaping dancers. The show is really a simple tale of a girl in search of her parents, and who finds a home in the arms of a millionaire. The climax, with Annie dangling over a bridge thing, is completely unrealistic. Also, there is no real romance between Grace and Warbucks on stage, and yet here we are led to believe that by the end they are...! But, if you want Annie on hormones, buy this by all means, but buy the Disney version too for the real telling of the tale.
Rating: Summary: Terrible Treatment of the Broadway Play Review: Yes, I know there are people that love this movie, but they clearly did not see the Broadway version or hear the music from the cd with Andrea McArdle. This is an action paced movie and it probably appeals to those who like that kind of stuff, but for those of us who know something about music and are familiar with the original know that this is inferior. Read the bad reviews of this movie and that is what I think. Should have not left out some of the songs, should have not taken place 4th of July. I love Carol Burnett and she does do a good job in this, but a little too drunk. I think the writers overdid it. Don't rememberher being so much in the play. I wrote a review of the Disney version and it the Disney version is better than this mess, but not as good as the Broadway Version with Andrea McArdle. I haven't seen it, but I was in a local production with the Broadway version. They should have made Bernadette Peters a ditsy blonde in this, but she comes off too smart. They kept her ditsy in the Disney Version. I will have to say that the Disney Version should have not had a black love interest for Daddy Warbucks. I'm not trying to be racist but it just doesn't make sense for the Depression era to have a mixed relationship. They should have gotten Rebecca Luker(Miriam the Librarian on Broadway and a friend of mine. She would have been perfect for Grace.Not too impressed with Ann Reinking in this version as Grace. At least Audra McDonald in the Disney version can sing the way it should be. Ann is more of a dancer. If you have never seen the Broadway version or heard the original or seen the Disney version you might like this, but it is inferior to the original. So save your money and buy the Disney version and buy the Andrea McArdle version on cd. Too bad that version is not on tape.
Rating: Summary: a treat of the 80's Review: I laughed at the movie. My favorite song is It's a hard knock life for us. A rap song had a few lyrics from this musical number . Ms Hanagan was a riot. Avoid the 90's version
Rating: Summary: Childhood Favorite!! Review: I am 21 now, but when I was a little girl this was my absolute favorite movie, and it remains a happy memory of childhood and happiness today. When I was little I remember the first time "Annie" aired on HBO and my mom recorded it for me. I must have watched this movie a zillion times as a child. My best friend and I would always play make-believe like we were orphans in Annie. This movie has so many happy memories tied to it, and whenever I need a lift and to feel happy and like a child again I put on this movie. Now I have an almost 3 year old niece and we are going through the "Annie" craze all over again with her. She has now learned to sing "Tomorrow," and it just makes me melt. I have passed on my love of "Annie" to my niece. If you want a real feel-good movie that you are sure to love, you have to see this movie and experience the magic for yourself. Every little girl, and little girl at heart, will fall in love with Annie!
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