13 Going on 30 (2004)

Number Rolled: 9

Movie Name/Year: 13 Going on 30 (2004)

Genre: Comedy

Length: 97 minutes

Rating: PG-13

Director: Gary Winick

Writer: Josh Goldsmith, Cathy Yuspa

Actors: Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo, Judy Greer, Andy Serkis, Kathy Baker, Phil Reeves, Sam Ball, Marcia DeBonis, Christa B. Allen, Sean Marquette, Kiersten Warren, Joe Grifasi, Mary Pat Gleason, Susan Egan, Lynn Collins, Renee Olstead, Alexandra Kyle, Alex Black

At Jenna’s thirteenth birthday party, something goes severely wrong. Although things are seemingly looking up when the popular kids agree to join her, it turns out to be a prank. When she figures it out, she wishes to be thirty, and her wish is granted.

There’s not really much original about the base plot. It’s been done more times than I can count. As a singular point of view of a “Freaky Friday” situation, the story goes exactly the way you think it would. Within five minutes of the movie, you’ll have the entire thing mapped out in your brain. However, even knowing that, I found I really enjoyed this movie. I think it may be one of my favorite versions of this recipe.

I think Garner did a wonderful job and Ruffalo is just plain adorable. Also, the casting was fantastic, the actresses they got to play the younger and older Tom-Toms looked incredibly similar. I had no problem discerning who the older actress was supposed to be, even before the movie told me.

There’s not really much else to add. It was a hilarious, cringe-worthy, telling of a tale told a thousand times. No one reinvented the wheel here, but it rolls along just fine anyway.

There was one slight hole in the story, though. I’ll explain why it’s a hole, but you won’t fully get the picture unless you watch it: I don’t know any parents who would allow their thirteen year old daughters sleep over at a 30 year old woman house – especially when that woman doesn’t have any kids. That’s just weird.

Netflix’s Prediction for Me – 2.9/5

Overall Opinion – 4/5

Movie Trailer: