13 Going on 30 Blu-ray delivers stunning video and solid audio in this excellent Blu-ray release
Jennifer Garner (Daredevil, TV's "Alias") and Mark Ruffalo (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless
Mind) star in this hilarious flash-forward romance about a pre-teen girl who goes from geek to
glamorous.With the help of some magic wishing dust, 13 year-old Jenna Rink (Garner)
becomes 30 and gorgeous overnight, with everything she ever wanted, except for her best
friend Matt (Ruffalo). Now, this grown woman must create some magic of her own to help the
little girl inside find the true love she left behind.
30 and flirty and thriving...30 and flirty and thriving...30 and flirty and thriving...
Movies like 13 Going on 30 restore faith in the Romantic Comedy. While most of the
genre's offerings are generic re-tellings of the same story with the same formula but only different
actors, this one puts the magic back in the romance, literally. 13 Going on 30 may be the
most honest and sincere Romantic Comedy out there, even if the film's premise is brought about by
a bit of magical dust, and even if the events in the film may be either real or imagined. Regardless
of the hows or the whys, 13 Going on 30 is clever, charming, funny, and
heartfelt. For the guys, it's among the better of its kind to watch; for the girls, it's like a good
friend, reliable, truthful, and always there to offer that much-needed pick-me-up, tickle of the funny
bone, or reminder that life is about caring, honest friendships, being who you are, and being
"original" rather than "cool." Punctuated by an interesting set-up, fine performances
all around, and a rad 1980s-inspired soundtrack, 13 Going on 30 is a Romantic Comedy for
everyone.
Great. Now they're re-making 'The Shining,' too.
13-year-old Jenna Rink (Christa B. Allen) isn't satisfied with her life. She wants to be glamorous
like the models she sees adorning the pages of her favorite magazine, Poise, and to be
part of the in-crowd at school. She'll do anything to get what she wants, including her
classmate's homework, if it means a shot at getting into the clique. Her best friend, Matt (Sean
Marquette), the school photographer and resident chubby nerd, builds her a model "dream
home"
and sprinkles it with wishing dust for her birthday. Despite being touched at the gesture, Jenna
quickly scrambles
to hide it when her "friends" come by for a party. When they leave after getting their
homework,
Jenna blames Matt, hides in the closet, wishes to be 30, accidentally becomes covered in wishing
dust, and wakes up -- as a 30-year-old woman! As the initial shock wears off, Jenna (Jennifer
Garner, The Kingdom)
slowly
learns that everything she had ever wanted has come true. She's a fully developed woman,
the editor at Poise, and remains friends with the girls from the clique she desperately
wanted to be a part of -- and eventually came to lead. Nevertheless, her first coherent thought
is
of Matt (Mark Ruffalo, Zodiac), whom she
finds as a successful 30-year-old photographer -- and engaged. As the two
rekindle their
friendship and reminisce about the past, a past that Jenna can't remember and Matt would like
to
forget, they discover long-lost feelings for one another, feelings that are hampered by Matt's
engagement and Jenna's world that she finds herself a part of but unsure if it is where she
belongs. Meanwhile, Poise finds itself on the brink of ruin, and Jenna scrambles to
give it a make-over that only a 13-year-old could dream up. Will she save the magazine, get the
boy, and live happily ever after, or will reality come crashing around her and allow fate to sneak
in
and give her a second chance at life?
13 Going on 30 is both pleasing and innocent, a feel-good movie at heart, punctuated
by
plenty of laughs, a terrific ensemble cast that understands the nuances of the Romantic
Comedy,
and a good life lesson. One thing it isn't is completely original. The concept of instantly being
transformed from childhood to adulthood has been around, seemingly, almost as long as cinema
itself; perhaps the best example is Tom Hank's Big, the
standard-bearer of the concept and certainly one of the more popular films of the 1980s,
perhaps
even enjoying "classic" status in some circles. 13 Going on 30 offers the idea from the
female
perspective, and the movie works wonders with it. It finds the perfect blend of humor, charm,
and importance. The laughs come steadily and genuinely, rarely forced into the script, and
delivered naturally by the actors. The characters and the concept enjoy a sort of harmonious
symbiotic relationship; one just wouldn't work without the other being just as it is, and
combined
they make for a whole that is more than satisfactory, the end result being a delightful little
movie
that is
easy on the eyes (lest that ending cause them to tear up), palatable, and rather high on the
replay value.
13 Going on 30 also nudges a solid life lesson into its story, conveying the importance of
being true to oneself and living not necessarily for the moment, but for the whole of life; making
smart decisions; and never forgetting what true friendship is all about. Don't misunderstand; this
isn't groundbreaking or even classic cinema, but it's just incredibly
good at what it tries to be. That's high praise for this sort of movie.
One of 13 Going on 30's primary strengths comes from the well-written characters that
populate the film and the cast that understands and plays them fantastically. Jennifer Garner is
superb in her role as Jenna Rink. She does a terrific job of acting, particularly in the early scenes
when she appears as a completely
discombobulated 13-year-old inhabiting an adult version of herself. As the film moves on, she is
seen to
slowly become more comfortable in her shoes and use both her childhood and (albeit brief) adult
experiences to her and her company's advantage, all the while piecing together what happened
and discovering why being part of the "in" crowd at any cost isn't always the smartest course of
action to take. She handles the smallest of nuances very well to sell the audience on her sudden
and traumatic experience; she tries to fit in as an adult, but retains several charming adolescent
qualities, like asking to be excused for a restroom break in the middle of a business meeting,
raising her hand before speaking, writing her name on her notebook paper as would a young
girl of 13, or enjoying a slumber party and sharing gossip with girls who share her age mentally
and emotionally, but not physically. The film also incorporates plenty of 1980s flair, particularly
noted during the modern-day segments, from the wardrobe to the soundtrack, to tie it together
and further solidify the themes, the laughs, and the characters. Mark Ruffalo also delivers a
splendid performance as Matt, a man who is shocked and confused by the sudden re-emergence
of the Jenna he once knew and, perhaps, even loved, and dealing with his rekindled emotions
while preparing for his own wedding to another woman. Perhaps what sets 13 Going on
30 apart from every movie of its sort is in how it handles the Matt character and resolves the
burgeoning romance between he and Jenna; it's one of the best, most honest, and moving
resolutions ever to grace a Romantic Comedy, and the film manages to offer viewers what
almost
plays out as two endings, both of the "real world" and "fairy tale" variety, each making perfect
sense in the context of the film.
Sony's Blu-ray release of 13 Going on 30 features an excellent 1080p high definition
picture quality, presented in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The movie looks very good, marked by
a colorful yet natural appearance. 13 Going on 30 is defined by its color palette; much of
the retro feel of the film is brought to life by the rich hues that adorn most every scene, and the
Blu-ray never fails in delivering each one vibrantly and precisely. The transfer offers a well above
average level of detail in both indoor and outdoor shots, and in both lighter and darker scenes. The
film retains a rather heavy layer of grain that allows for a nice theatrical look to the Blu-ray. Flesh
tones are generally strong, perhaps slightly reddish in appearance in some instances. The print is
generally free of blemishes; only the occasional speckle and pop appear evident through the course
of the film. Black levels are superb; a scene in chapter eight on a wet New York street at night
looks wonderful, with every damp street brick standing out nicely, particularly with the street lights
reflecting off of them. 13 Going on 30 is another excellent transfer from Sony that seems
to capture the essence of the filmmakers' vision nicely.
This flirty and thriving soundtrack with a 1980s flair travels onto Blu-ray with a Dolby TrueHD 5.1
lossless soundtrack. Dialogue is a little muddled over the first minutes of the movie, and while it is
intelligible, it's not necessarily as crisp and defined as expected. It seems to improve over the
course of the film, but always sounds slightly garbled. However, the 80s music heard throughout
the movie sounds fantastic; a tune heard in chapter two as the party gets underway presents
robust and bass-heavy beats. The music is definitely the star of the show, and rarely does it
disappoint; it's completely satisfying, filling the soundstage cleanly and effortlessly, even with
minimal rear channel support. Indeed, 13 Going on 30 is an almost exclusively
front-channel presentation, but that is never a hindrance to what is a warm, inviting soundtrack.
Other
than the music, this one is very basic in its delivery, but it works and sounds just as it should.
13 Going on 30 matures to the high definition Blu-ray format with plenty of
supplements.
Two commentary tracks are first. Director Gary Winick mans the first, an honest, informative
commentary that comes off as very endearing. He discusses the mistakes he made in what was
his
first feature-length Hollywood production, the strengths of his cast, the editing, and plenty more.
The second track features Producers Donna Arkoff Roth, Gina Matthews, and Susan Arnold. The
trio
runs the gamut of information, discussing costuming, the cast, the music, the dialogue, and
more.
They don't offer deep insight, basically describing the movie as it moves along, but intercut with
more of the inside information that fans crave. Neither track is particularly worthwhile for the
average viewer, but fans will enjoy these well enough. The disc also offers viewers the
opportunity
to view an alternate opening and alternate ending (480p, 11:35) to the film. Up next are 18
deleted scenes (480p, 27:10) and a series of bloopers (480p, 3:16).
Four
featurettes are next. Making of a Teen Dream (480p, 18:52) is a cookie-cutter feature
that showcases the cast and crew heaping praise on one another, discussing the strengths and
charms each brought to the film. The piece also delves into some of the nuances of the film,
discussing the costuming, for example. Making of a Teen Dream: Another Take (480p,
7:37) seems like a superfluous feature that basically continues in the same tradition as the
previous piece, this one featuring heavy doses of Producers Donna Arkoff Roth, Gina Matthews,
and Susan Arnold, and more interview clips with star Jennifer Garner and other cast members.
I Was a Teenage Geek (480p, 8:01) features cast and crew reminiscing about their own
childhoods. Fashion Flashback: Into the '80's (480p, 6:50) features teen models
discussing how great 1980s fashion was (and still is), a look at the styles that are making a
comeback, how to find or create an 80s style, and more. Two music videos -- Pat Benatar's
"Love is a Battlefield" (480p, 5:21) and Rick Springfield's "Jessie's Girl" (480p,
3:17) are included next. Also available is a still photo gallery and 1080p trailers for Big Fish, Mona Lisa Smile,
and Maid in Manhattan.
Finally, this disc is BD-Live (Blu-ray profile 2.0) enabled. Currently, the feature takes viewers to a
basic Sony page that contains trailers, a FAQ, a survey, and more.
Perhaps it's time to acknowledge that a well-done Romantic Comedy isn't just for the girls. Films
like Made of Honor, 27 Dresses, and
13 Going on 30 might not be any guy's idea of a good time at the movies, but they offer
feel-good stories, interesting premises, and good entertainment value in the midst of the sappy
romances and, yes, some tired but effective clichés. If nothing else, sitting through these sorts of
movies earns points with the fairer sex, and darn it all if some of them don't actually make for
some pretty decent movie experiences. 13 Going on 30 might just be the best of the
bunch. Endearing, funny, and honest are but a few adjectives that describe it. Though
far from the perfect movie, 13 Going on 30 may be the perfect Romantic Comedy, which
definitely counts for something. Sony has released this fan favorite just in time for Valentine's
Day. It makes for an excellent gift for just that occasion, providing the lady with a
movie she'll love, and the guy with a disc that does right by his home theater, all the while
offering him a movie that is
tolerable at worst and highly entertaining at best. 13 Going on 30 comes highly
recommended to the ladies, as a Valentine's (or any time) gift, and to the guys who aren't afraid
to give a Romantic Comedy a sincere shot.
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Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has announced the technical specs and special features for the upcoming Blu-ray release of '13 Going on 30', which is due to hit store shelves on January 20th. For this Jennifer Garner film, video will be presented in 1.85:1 1080p ...
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment have announced that they will bring the Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo romantic comedy '13 Going on 30' to Blu-ray on January 20th, day-and-date with the DVD re-release. Video will be presented in 1.85:1 1080p AVC accompanied ...
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