Customer Reviews

Annie

5 star:		(78)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(14)
1 star:		(19)

 

 

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!

I was a little cynical when I first saw this movie as I'd seen the show done on stage and had been really disappointed with the last Annie produced in the 80's, but I was pleasantly surprised. I watched this with my four-year old daughter and she loved it. The acting was great. Kathy Bates, as usual, was wonderful. The little girl did a wonderful job as Annie and all the musical numbers were fun. This 1999 version lacked some of the stunts that made the previous movie unbelievable. It was sincere and stuck to the original play very well. My daughter loved it and after one viewing was mopping my kitchen floor singing "Hard Knock Life."

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.

This review will not win me "positive" votes, but I must speak my mind.

This current trend of filming musicals for television is wonderful for the genre. My complaint, seen here in ANNIE, is the "Readers Digest" versions they're tending to churn out.

I was very excited to see this new version of ANNIE (the John Huston film from the 80's was unmemorable and hilariously sent-up in John Waters' film SERIAL MOM). After viewing it, I realized the producers and director made several mistakes.

First, Mrs. Hannigan is the VILLAIN. In order for any basic story to work, there is a good guy and a villain. Annie is the good guy, Mrs. Hannigan is the villain. Kathy Bates plays her as a sympathetic lady just trying to run an orphanage! At least Carol Burnett mined some of that evilness in the Huston film. In this version, any badness has been "Disney-fied" out of the character.

Also, Daddy Warbucks is too nice. Why do we even care if Annie ends up with him? His character doesn't seem to need changing at all. His secretary seems to think he works a tad too much, but otherwise he's been "Disney-fied" as well.

And dare I suggest that the romance between Warbucks and the secretary (played by the incredible Audra McDonald) has been toned down because of race issues? Or would a romance have been too much of a character change for the screenwriter as well?

I'm just so disappointed with this production. A highlight is the NYC production number. Andrea McArdle shines in her cameo ("Just got here this morning...") It's a fine, workman production. But somehow, the heart seems to be gone. Does anyone really understand the significance of the song "Tomorrow"? It seems like it's just cued up like the show-stopper we all know it to be. They film it with a big sweeping camera move and end it on a special effects shot of New York city. So what, I say! Keep a close up on the little girl playing Annie and let us see what the song means to the character.

I hope I don't sound too severe, but I think they really did this show wrong. I don't believe the reviews that say ANNIE is a good production. I think it's mediocre at best -- it could have been so much better.

When it was announced that Disney was making a film version of Annie, they stated that one of the important things they wanted to do was reinstate the songs that were cut out of the 1982 film. It seems, however, that they went and cut most of those songs, and more, from this verson. They did reinstate NYC, a song that never should have been removed, and that number is one of the best in the film, as well as "Something Was Missing". But even with those two songs intact, a lot more is missing from this verson of Annie. Everything American is removed from the show - all the aspects of the musical "Annie" that made it much more than the story of a little girl, but rather a story of the symbol of hope for the entire nation, is gone. No New Deal for Christmas here. Annie herself, while played by a very capable and talented little actress, lacks all the qualities that make Harold Gray's timeless character so loveable and admirable. She's just a regular little girl with nothing really redeemable that sets her apart. She's definitely not much of Harold Gray's (Annie's creator) symbol of hope, courage, honesty the American way. Here instead, we see Annie stealing (! ) from a street vendor in a most uncharacteristic move. (Thanks, Disney - great role model for children!) All in all, the film has merit and the music is good, what's left of it, but really, it's more of a kiddie tv program than a complete version of the show.

Having seen the original movie version many times, I had a certain amount of expectations for this new version, especially considering the cast, many of whom I love to watch. Unfortunately, while it's obvious that much thought and effort have gone into sets and staging, the whole thing comes off as too practiced, too pat. Alicia Morton as Annie makes a good effort, but her voice, especially in the big numbers like Tomorrow, sounds way too much like a trained singer and not enough like a little girl expressing a thought. The orphans look like an exercise in diversity rather than a cohesive group.

A good hour of plot dealing with Warbucks's characterization has also disappeared, as have Miss Hannigan's antagonistic tendencies. At first I enjoyed seeing her played a little more humanly, given her reactions in the end sequence of the original, but it seems like *any* hint of her being an evil-stepmother-type has been washed away. As have her drinking habit and risque garb, by the way.

Some liberties are taken with plot points, such as where and how Sandy comes into the picture and what goes on during Annie's night on the town with Warbucks. Not huge things, but if you know the original well, they're hard not to notice. And then there's the ending...but that's a rant all its own.

Alan Cumming was this show's saving grace, in my opinion - one of the few people other than Tim Curry who could pull off the role of Rooster. You can tell he's having a great time in the role, and his movements and delivery are enthusiastic, with just that hint of tongue-in-cheek I personally think the role needs. Kudos also to the "Anything but You" number, which was the first time the movie really made me smile.

Audra MacDonald, who plays Grace, seems perfect for the role, but the characterization the writers, costumers, etc have forced her into negates that potential. I mean, somehow I think the concept of a business suit on a woman was not a popular one in the early 30s, and they seem to have missed the memo about her longing for Warbucks. She has the stately, competent bit down to a science, though.

Overall, I'd say if you're a fan of the original, then its not worth the price to buy or even rent this version, since you'll probably end up spending half the time pointing out changes and injustices. If you haven't seen the original, or don't really care, this is at least a mildly entertaining way to spend 90 minutes.

I really wanted to see this movie after seeing the stage play twice and owning the 1982 version, and I have to say, I find that one to be much better than this one. The orphanage is much more believable in the other movie than in this one.
I didn't really have a problem with the cast. However, Victor Garber just doesn't cut it as Daddy Warbucks. He is supposed to be a grouchy, angry person, but Victor Garber is just too soft. Alan Cumming and Kristin Chenoweth were amazing as the villains. i have to admit that i liked them better than Tim Curry and Bernadette Peters in the '82 version. The voice that Kristin did sounds so funny! Alicia Morton was all right in her role as Annie, with a beautiful singing voice and Audra McDonald as Grace Farrell was good, too. I didn't really like Kathy Bates as Ms. Hannigan. Where's the bathtub gin? Where's the anger?! She's not nearly as mean to the orphans as a Miss Hannigan should be.
Overall, I like the other movie much, much better. Aileen Quinn is a better Annie, Albert Finney is a better Daddy Warbucks, Ann Reinking is a better Grace Farrell, and where the heck is Punjab???????????????

This version of Annie is a great introduction for the younger set and showcases some terrific Broadway talent, but leaves out a lot from the original stage version. As others have mentioned, the politics, romance between Grace and Warbucks, and villianous behavior of Miss Hannigan that were such a winning combo on stage have been toned way down by Disney. Alicia Morton is adorable and has a beautiful voice, but trades in a lot of Annie's signature pluck for sweetness. Some of the song lyrics have been changed, while other songs have been cut completely. The purist might find all of this this detrimental, but my 3 year old does not know the difference and just enjoys the heck out of the story, the singing, and the dancing. And the length of the film is perfect for her attention span. Miss Hannigan appears to have kicked her drinking problem in this version, which robs both the actress and the viewers of some great comedic material, but leaves parents of young children with less explaining to do.

While this version of Annie is a bit of a "Lite" approach, it is in my opinion an improvement over the overdone 1992 version. Editing a few things out is to me less of a crime of creative liberty than adding a character (Poonjab) and songs that were not part of the stage version.

So far there is no movie version that is a worthy substitute for seeing Annie live on stage in its entirety, but this movie covers the basic storyline and memorable songs, and is great for young Annie-lovers.

Before I saw ths Disney version of Annie I saw the stage musical and then the movie that starred Albert Finney, Carol Burnette, Aileen Quinn, Bernadette Peters and Tim Curry and I thought it was a good movie with a great cast so I bought that movie on DVD but when I heard about the newer Disney adaptation I decided I wanted to see that one too so I bought this DVD and I personally think that the cast of Victor Garber, Alicia Morton, Alan Cumming, Audra McDonald, Kristin Chenoweth and Kathy Bates was great too and I highly recommend this version of Annie! My only complaint and this is with both versions of Annie is that they didn't use all of the songs from the original Broadway stage musical but that doesn't stop me from liking either movie!

If you've never seen the 1983 version with Aileen Quinn, Carol Burnett, Tim Curry, Bernadette Peters, and so many other wonderful cast members, you might not know what you're missing, and you might like this version fine. But I suggest that you watch the first one! The casting couldn't be better, the songs are classic, and the kids are cute as buttons.

I love a number of remakes, but this is not one that I could grow to like. . . I didn't like the music nor the casting as much. It just doesn't cut it.