We all know her from ABC’s “Alias” and many may recognize her as Elektra from last year’s Beniffer flop Daredevil, but now she has a starring role in a film unlike her TV show or any of the films she has played a role in.
Jennifer Garner has managed to reinvent herself and pull off her first starring role in a feature film as Jenna Rink in 13 Going On 30.
I went into this film expecting the female equivalent to Tom Hanks’ 1988 film Big, and as far as the premise goes it isn’t far off, but instead of a story where a kid just wants to be “grown-up” so eh can lead the life he wants to lead, we have a story where a girl wants to escape the world she is currently in and live the life of one of the women she adores in her favorite magazine Poise.
To Jenna’s surprise her wish comes true on her 13th birthday as she is seen stuffing her bra and trying to fit in with the cool kids, but when things go awry she finds herself in a closet wishing she was 30, and POOF! the story begins.
If you were to compare this film to Big you would certainly find it lacking, while in Big Tom Hanks was accompanied by his childhood 12-year-old friend and he was allowed to act as a child in many instances, Jenna is not since she is now thrust into a world 17 years into the future where all her childhood friends and foes are all grown up.
There are flashes of Big in this movie, but, on a whole, it is its own film.
Along with Garner’s ability to carry-out the cutesy role we had been yet to see until now, Mark Ruffalo adds so much to the film playing the perfect role as Jenna’s old pal Matt Flamhaff. The two have parted ways since Jenna’s 13th birthday party but Jenna soon learns that Matt may be the only person she can rely on when it comes down to it.
13 Going On 30 is a true film of second chances as Jenna begins to examine the person she has become compared to who she used to be and is certain to propel Garner further into the spotlight. ABC may want to also take note, because if things keep getting better for her, her time as Agent Sydney Bristow may be numbered.
This film fits the profile and even the boyfriends dragged in to see it won’t leave entirely disappointed, after all it is Jennifer Garner on the big screen and she ain’t too bad on the eyes.
