This was a Disney made for TV movie version of the Broadway musical Annie. It is by far the best version on video. The cast led by Victor Garber and Kathy Bates is fantastic. Audra McDonald plays Grace Farrel. It is very obvious from her performance here why she won three Tony awards before she turned 30. Kristin Chenoweth and Alan Cummings also are great as well. Clearly, you will never see a cast this good on Broadway. There is also a cameo appearance by Andrea McArdle, Broadway's original Annie. She still has the charisma she displayed as Annie.With such a strong cast it is almost impossible for Disney not to make a good movie. However in 1982, the first film version of the play was made with also an all-star cast, and it failed. This TV-movie succeeds. The stage and look are wonderful. Kudos to Disney.

I grew up with this version and I watched in the fourth grade (I am now 13, about to start the seventh.) I am ashamed that an entire school year I thought this version was the original true Annie! Over the summer between 5th and 6th grades I saw the 1982 version with Aileen Quinn, Carol Burnett, Bernadette Peters, Ann Reinking, Albert Finney and Tim Curry....and I was blown away.It may have been a bit overdone...but this remake is LIFELESS! Miss Hannigan isn't a man-crazed drunk! Lilly is dumber and trampier! Rooster doesn't do the rooster noise thingy! And WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED to Punjab and the Asp???!!!??? I only rated this 2-stars because Andrea McArdle was in it.(as the Star to Be.)And because of Alicia Morton (Annie's) singing. Seriously, if you want to watch a good Annie, go watch the 1982 version!

My comments on this film are being compared to the original Broadway play "Annie" rather than the 1982 film version, as I have been a fan of this musical since I first saw a live version of it. In that light, this is a great adaptation from stage to screen, as it mostly stays true to the original story and maintains much of that on-stage feel. This version brings back the song "N.Y.C," the great musical number that the 1982 version omitted. Perhaps the original version with Carol Burnett was more humorous and exciting than this film, but I actually like the feel of this one even better. It has that typical happy and innocent feel evident in many of my favorite Disney movies, such as "The Parent Trap." Unlike the original, all of the actors actually prove to be good singers as well, which is essential in a film like this. All of the songs are performed similar to the original musical, a great thing for fans like myself. Two things really keep this from being a perfect version of this story. First, one of my favorite scenes, in which Annie gets everyone at the White House to sing "Tomorrow," is not in this version. Also, Miss Hannigan pretending to be Annie's mother is completely different from the original story and is hardly believable. Nevertheless, I will overlook those two things because of the great joy this film brings and overall good job this adaptable does to one of my favorite musicals.*** out of ****

this movie was awesome.. I saw it a few years back but I realize that Anni is my fav movie.. the new one! Erin Adams - Tessie- has an amazing voice.. and so does the little girl who plays Anni- i wish i saw them in more movies, id definitely go see them. Annie is a classic movie that I am inspired by now that i am taking theatre. I still cant believe how awesome that movie is, even though i saw it a very long time ago. well about 5 years. anyhow i hope this Hus inspired those who haven't seen it to go rent or buy it. I could rant and rave about this movie all cay.. its one of my favourites.you really should go see it. Its bright and colourful and has great songs.