Which is the strongest part of this charming, funny and romantic fairy-tale.All the parts of the film that shouldn't work, work because of it's premise. The movie tells the story of a little 13 year old girl who wants to be an adult because her life is soooooooo much crap...at least she thinks that, everything's pretty normal actually, but from the perspective of this girl it's fully reasonable for us as audience to roll with this idea, otherwise it just would be a fairly weak motivation for our protagonist.And even when she's 30 she has no real problems, everything works pretty good, the only problem is, that she sees it with the same mindset, and that's why this movie is so great. It has almost something cynical, because we know that nothing she deals with is actually that big a deal, and that most people would want such a lifestyle.The reason we can fully appreciate this mindset is because of Jennifer Garner, who gives such a believable and most of all sincere performance. At no point in the movie it felt inappropriate, or took me out of the movie, when she does little girl things as an adult. There was never a moment where i thought to myself:"It feels weird and uncomfortable to see an adult do these innocent things..." which is a big compliment for her performance.For example: There is a scene in the movie which even the director didn't wanted to make, where she has a sleepover with some teenage girls, while she's an adult and they all talk about love, dress up and sing karaoke. Normally this would feel uncomfortable and girly, but even the director said that he thinks that it's one of the best scenes in the movie, and i agree.Also the other actors are very good in reacting to how she discovers the world. Andy Serkis as her boss is a delight and Mark Ruffalo is a fully believable friend who's conflicted with his love to her and his future wife. Everyone else is as good, and no one gets out of line.That the "original" timeline of the movie is set in the 80's is also a big part why i like this so much, all she does "today" is highly influenced by this time, and i'm a big fan of the style and music (and movies).Also all the innocent child-like things she does to help other people, or to safe the company (and stuff) also works surprisingly well for this kind of movie, it's not TOO Hollywood-ish, but certainly fantasy for sure.I mean she safes a party by starting to dance to Michael Jacksons "Thriller" and everyone joins her, and it's actually pretty charming instead of embarrassing, this is also due to the good direction.The last time i watched this film was in the year 2005 when it was on television, and i remember thinking it was very enjoyable. Now that i watched it again i can fully appreciate the view of a child on it's own future and how well it works.This movie is surprisingly charming, funny, and most of all sincere, a large part of this is due to the great direction and Jennifer Garners excellent performance...

13 Going on 30 (2004): Dir: Gary Winick / Cast: Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo, Judy Greer, Kathy Baker, Andy Serkis: Amusing romantic comedy about growing up too fast. It stars Jennifer Garner who at thirteen wished she could be thirty because of an embarrassing incident at her birthday party. She was attempting to fit in with the popular yet nasty crowd. The screenplay suggests that magic dust is used to turn her thirty but thankfully it doesn't stoop to such juvenile gestures. At thirty she works for Poise magazine and her confusion and awkwardness give her a sense that perhaps being thirteen wasn't so bad. Despite its predictable structure director Gary Winick does a fantastic job. That has much to do with the casting of two effective leads that present sincerity. Jennifer Garner is absolutely hilarious playing a thirteen year old wonderfully yet she tries desperately to make her situation better. Mark Ruffalo as her childhood friend now photographer adds to the chemistry. He is confused at her dilemma but he is the only one she can turn to. Both survive romantic clichés while Judy Greer and Kathy Baker are subdued within flat supporting roles. Finally there is a wasted performance by Andy Serkis who isn't exactly winning awards playing Garner's boss either. Its lessons regards appreciating life and not taking for granted what you have at any age. Score: 7 / 10

This is the perfect late night film for when your partner is snoring and you want nothing more but to relax with a fantasy chick flick that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside and wanting your own magical love story. Well in this you find it and more. Jenna Rink wants nothing more than to be thirty, flirty and thriving, however when she gets her wish, with a little help from her best friend Matty, she discovers that the girls in the magazines are all they're cracked up to be... With a combination of wild dreams, fantasy, comedy and of course it's fairytale love story, this film is sure to make you feel girlie and all mushy without fail. I hope you love it as much as me :) x

I felt like I have seen the plot of 13 Going on 30 a trillion times before, so I was able to predict the outcome of the movie only two minutes in. It's not bad in any way, but it's nothing that great either. Only the always watchable Jennifer Garner makes this movie worth watching. The movie offers up a stale script, but Garner is able to infuse her charm to make this rom-com merely watchable. This is a great date movie for sure. It's funny at times and it kind of made me wish I grew up in the 80's.Gary Winick's film is about a 13-year-old girl named Jenna Rink who wishes she was 30. Now she has received her wish and now her 30-year-old body must cooperate with her 13-year-old mind. As a magazine editor, they may be hard to do. When she discovers her best friend, Matt living nearby, she discovers that perhaps an old friend may be the flame of her life.This film is well-acted and the acting saves the day. Jennifer Garner is the right person to work in a rom-com and she does an excellent job. She's cheerful, quirky, and a blast to watch. I must also mention Mark Ruffalo. He is nearly as good as Garner and they work very well with each other. It's also nice to see Andy Serkis in a role where he doesn't need CGI. He was a hoot to watch.Overall, 13 Going on 30 is pleasurable enough to watch, stale script and all. In the kind of genre with this kind of plot, there have been better movies like 1988's Tom Hanks film, Big. I was entertained and thanks to the likable leads, the film sort of works. Not great, but not awful. I rate this film 7/10.