13 Going on 30

November 21, 2010 - Be careful what you wish for because that wish just might come true. Jennifer Garner finds out the hard way in this movie that tries to be like Big, but doesn't quite succeed. Mark Ruffalo and Judy Greer co-star. Kathy Baker lends a shoulder to cry on as the supportive mom.

Garner plays Jenna Rink, a girl growing up in the 1980s. Jenna's smart and a bit of a dork. Her best friend is her neighbor, Matt (Ruffalo), who's also a bit of a dork. He can't understand why Jenna wants nothing more than to be one of the Six Chicks, the coolest clique in school.

On Jenna's 13th birthday, Matt arrives early to give Jenna her gift – a dollhouse he made himself. Jenna likes it but quickly stashes it in the closet once the Six Chicks and the jocks arrive for her party. It doesn't take long for Jenna to find herself in the closet wishing with all her might that she were 30 years old. Suddenly, with help from a little pixie dust, she is!

Jenna finds her 13-year-old self in a 30-year-old body, living in 2004 Manhattan and working at "Poise," her favorite style magazine. She also finds that older Jenna is not a very nice person and is not liked very much. So, with some help from Michael Jackson, Pat Benatar and her old friend, Matt, Jenna sets out to change all that.

Overall review: ** The movie has a lot of energy and the actors are easy to watch, but it just doesn't have the same depth as Big. Still, it's not an unpleasant way to pass the time on a lazy Sunday afternoon, especially if your favorite football team isn't playing until later.