My Movie Review: "Annie"

When I was a little girl, I fell in love with "Annie." Every single time it came on, I had to watch it. I tortured my parents with it. I knew every word and every song. My love for it has never gone away. Even now, I will still watch it any time I can catch. I own two dvd copies of the original "Annie." Suffice it to say, I am a FAN. Have been since the first time I saw it in 1982 as a 3 year old. It is my absolute favorite musical. As much as I loved the original, I did not care for the 1999 made-for-tv movie. It was just ok. When I first heard that Jay Z & Will & Jada Smith were redoing "Annie," I was over the moon excited. They had chosen Willow Smith to play "Annie" and I thought that was perfect. But, then a few years passed and I lost hope. Until Oscar nominated Quvenzhane' Wallis replaced Willow and the movie was a go. I knew that I would have to see this version. I was  excited for months.

"Annie" was released on Friday, December 19, 2014. The movie stars the aforementioned Wallis, as well as Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz and Rose Bryne. Jamie Foxx takes on the Daddy Warbucks role as tech savvy billionaire Will Stacks who is running for Mayor of New York City. Cameron Diaz is Ms. Hannigan and Bryne takes on the role of Stacks' assistant, Grace. This "Annie" keeps a lot of the original moments. But, this is an updated, 2014 version of it. The songs are all a little remixed. I did miss one of my favorite musical numbers though. It would be "We Got Annie." I really enjoyed this movie. Wallis was adorable as a street tough but sweet Annie. She lights up every scene she is in. I loved that the directors/producers/writers were able to still add a few twists to a story I hold so dear. Diaz as Ms. Hannigan is comedic gold to me. I loved Foxx as Stacks. This movie really made me anxious for another Foxx cd. The movie was really cute and very family friendly. I want to see it again and will be purchasing it when it is released on dvd. Must see for me. I cried more than once while watching it. Representation really matters. There is something very significant and important about Wallis, a Black girl playing "Annie" in 2014. Little Black girls need to see themselves on a screen in a positive light. And, Black women need to see their younger selves represented as well. It is necessary. At the end of the movie, the entire theater clapped. Everyone loved it. Get into "Annie."