New Annie Movie: MN Exclusive Screening - Check out the MN reviews! NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

This is the thread for the lucky MNers who attended an Exclusive MN Preview Screening of the new Annie movie – at Cinemas December 20!

Read all about it here: www.anniemovie.co.uk/

Annie Movie Synopsis
Academy Award® nominee Quvenzhané Wallis (Beasts of the Southern Wild) stars as Annie, a young, happy foster kid who’s also tough enough to make her way on the streets of New York in 2014. Originally left by her parents as a baby with the promise that they’d be back for her someday, it’s been a hard knock life ever since with her mean foster mom Miss Hannigan (Cameron Diaz). But everything’s about to change when the hard-nosed tycoon and New York mayoral candidate Will Stacks (Jamie Foxx) – advised by his brilliant VP, Grace (Rose Byrne) and his shrewd and scheming campaign advisor, Guy (Bobby Cannavale) – makes a thinly-veiled campaign move and takes her in. Stacks believes he’s her guardian angel, but Annie’s self-assured nature and bright, sun-will-come-out-tomorrow outlook on life just might mean it’s the other way around.

Check out the trailer here:

The film features Jamie Foxx as Will Stacks, Quvenzhané Wallis as Annie, Rose Byrne as Grace, Bobby Cannavale as Guy, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Nash, David Zayas as Lou and Cameron Diaz as Miss Hannigan

So, if you attended a screening, please share on this thread...

1. Who you attended the screening with - including ages of DC
2. Your overall summary of the film
3. What was your DC's favourite part of the film? Who is their favourite character and why?
4. Out of 5, how many stars would you give the film? How many would your DC give it? (5 is highest and 1 is lowest)
5. What was your overall experience of the screening?
6. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Annie to friends and family? Why?

As an extra thank you, everyone who adds their feedback will be entered into a prize draw where 5 lucky winners will win a Sony WX350 Camera worth £239 and an Annie Goody Bag!

Thanks and good luck
MNHQ

We all (me, DH, DD9 and DS6) loved it! What a great family film, such a brilliant update to the original. Quvenzhane Wallis is wonderful as Annie, such a gorgeous, natural little actress. Loved all the humour - there are plenty of jokes for adults to enjoy and I particularly liked all the references to the original movie (the band called Leapin' Lizards and the hair joke!) The musical numbers are great and it manages to be far less sickly sweet than the original but still with a great deal of heart.

The kids both said that their favourite part was when Annie moved into Stacks's apartment, and DD said her favourite character was Annie, DS said Sandy, Annie and Stacks.

I'd give it 4 out of 5 as a family film, my only complaint is that it is a bit too long. DCs both give it 5 out of 5 and DD said it is 'the best movie I've seen in a LONG time'.

The screening was great, although the staff at the Odeon seemed a bit clueless about what was going on and were very slow to open up the doors - we arrived just after 9.30 as specifically instructed and had to wait outside for ages. It was a nice surprise to have free popcorn and water and the kids couldn't believe their luck as I am usually really stingy about buying cinema snacks! Overall a great outing. Often when I take the kids to the cinema I'm prepared to sit and zone out during the film but I really found this movie engaging and think it has something for everyone. I will definitely be recommending it to friends and family.

I attended the preview screening of Annie today at Braehead Glasgow with my two daughters, age 6 and 10. I must say that I went in thinking that they could not do the remake of such a classic any justice, but I was soon proved wrong. It was fabulous. A modern day take of a classic film with a bit of added sparkle. It had the same songs included too. A sensational cast. Jamie Foxx had a fabulous voice and was great as Mr Stakks. Annie she was just a wee star. My daughters could not pick out a favourite part of the movie as according to them it was all amazing. I would Definatley recommend this movie to a friend and easily achieved 5 stars in my eyes. Thankyou For allowing us to review. #anniemovie

Just Been to see Annie with my DS(11) and DH. We all loved it and can't wait to go and see it again. Loved the new take on a musical and liked the funny parts. DS favourite parts the helicopter rides and the apartment ! We wll thought Annie was great and loved Will Stakks.

1. Who you attended the screening with - including ages of DC

We were at Birmingham this morning with DH, DS (12y) and DD (10y).

1. Your overall summary of the film

We loved it. Definitely one of the best we have seen this year . DD loved the singing and dancing and it was much better than I had expected it to be. Jamie Foxx was superb!

1. What was your DC's favourite part of the film? Who is their favourite character and why?

DD liked when Annie chose Sandy at the Dog Rescue and also Miss Hannigan singing Little girls. Her favourite character was Annie. DS liked the helicopter/car chase at the end when Annie gets rescued by Will Stacks. Mr Stacks was also his favourite character ..... he said he was cool.

1. Out of 5, how many stars would you give the film? How many would your DC give it? (5 is highest and 1 is lowest)

Our scores are - me 5, DH 4, DS 4, DD 5.

1. What was your overall experience of the screening?

The screening was brilliant, we were greeted well and enjoyed the water and popcorn. DCs loved the security men, it was like we were on a secret mission

1. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Annie to friends and family? Why?

Yes, definitely. It is a film that we would watch again and again. I am certain DD will want the DVD. I have already told one friend to go and see it with her girls. Thank You we had a fantastic time.

1. Who you attended the screening with - including ages of DC

DH & DD (age 5)

1. Your overall summary of the film

A modern update of the original, well produced & with contemporary versions of the songs. Very watchable for adults too - I genuinely laughed at some of the jokes and welled up a couple of times (which I was definitely not expecting!) - though my DD found it a bit too long. The lead characters were great and it wasn't too saccharine which is what I was afraid of.

1. What was your DC's favourite part of the film? Who is their favourite character and why?

DD found Miss Hannigan hilarious but loved Grace as she was kind to Annie. Favourite part was the happy ending.

1. Out of 5, how many stars would you give the film? How many would your DC give it? (5 is highest and 1 is lowest) I would give 4, DD same.
2. What was your overall experience of the screening?

It was great, the popcorn & water was a nice surprise & the seats were comfortable.

1. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Annie to friends and family? Why?

Yes, but I would warn them that it is 2 hours long so it may not keep the attention of younger children.

i attended the Bath screening with DH, DD (9) and DS (7). We were initially all feeling rather jaded: I'd celebrated my 40th the day before, DH was ready for a light break from being full on carer for the kids, and neither child wanted to go.

Free popcorn and water won the kids over, and they got very excited with the reality that we were seeing the film before anyone else. I was slightly skeptical in advance: I adore the original film, and was worried this would be a straight remake. Thankfully I was proved wrong, and I laughed out loud and cried (twice! The shame!). The story was familiar but very different from the original, and it was great having the mix of new and old music.

The children both loved Annie and Sandy: she was so street wise but still naively charming, not cocky or overly precocious. I loved, without exception, all the adult characters, and was most impressed with Cameron Diaz as Hannigan.

We'd give the film 4 out of 5 as a whole. The screening was great, not too busy, the quietest audience I think I've ever been in! The cinema is large, airy and clean, with comfy seats (although there was a hairy 30 mins when DS stuck his hand through the drinks holder on his seat and couldn't get it out again).

I told all my friends we were attending the screening, and so my feedback will be to definitely catch it over the Christmas holidays, and create a new children's classic to remember for years to come.

I went with ds 11 and dd 7 and dh to see the film in Manchester. The kids both scored the film as a 5 and said they would recommend it to friends. Dh said he was pleasantly surprised (it's not really his cup of tea). I found it quite a good family film and would give it a 4.

The kids favourite part was Annie being shown around the penthouse which they were very impressed with. I particularly liked the foster children cleaning up to the song "it's a hard knock life". Dd has now been decorating our Christmas tree whilst singing "it's a hard knock life". DH Enjoyed watching Mr Stacks character soften through the film to the point where he through in the towel on the election race. I enjoyed the point where Mr Stacks discovered Annie couldn't read as this seemed to be a key turning point for his character.

Dd liked Annie and Mr Stacks the most whereas DS liked Grace.

We all enjoyed a ourselves at the screening and particularly enjoyed the free popcorn.

Birmingham screening with 8yo daughter and 2 neices aged 6 and 9 plus their mum. The girls are massive fans and really excited!
have aready texted my frends with daughters to tell them to watch it!!

overall experience was positive..great feel good film that was very easy to watch and enjoy. Free popcorn and water was a nice touch thank you!

Fave parts were the songs esp tomorrow! My DDs fave character was Annie and her cheekiness with mr Stacks when she went to lunch with him.

5 out of 5 from all of us.

Modern version of the classic that was easy to relate to and connect with.

1. Who you attended the screening with - including ages of DC

I attended with 7 year old dd

1. Your overall summary of the film

I thought the film was fantastic. Annie was funny, smart and likeable and the storyline was great with nods to the classic but a modern twist. Loved Cameron Diaz as Miss Hannigan

1. What was your DC's favourite part of the film? Who is their favourite character and why?

Dad's favourite character was Miss Hannigan because she was funny and her favourite part of the film was the helicopter chase

1. Out of 5, how many stars would you give the film? How many would your DC give it? (5 is highest and 1 is lowest)

We would both give the film 5/5. It was a fantastic, funny, heartwarming film. I cried more than once. Much to dd's embarrassment

1. What was your overall experience of the screening?

The screening was great, the staff were friendly and no adverts! The free popcorn and water were great too. I would jump at the chance to go to another screening. I was surprised the cinema was half empty (Manchester) but maybe that was planned?

1. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Annie to friends and family? Why?

I have already told my SIL about the movie. She is going to take her dd's on Boxing Day. I think we will go with her too!

*dd not dads

I should also have said we loved it even more than the original! A new classic.

We went to the Manchester screening with my sis and dd6 and dd9.
We all absolutely loved it. It's one if my favourite films so had a lot to live up to.
My sister liked the songs still included a lot of the old film with a twist.
I liked the scenes with Annie and Will Stacks they were very similar to the old film keeping the story the same.
Dd9 favourite part was the end when they all sang and danced together because she liked the happy ending.
Dd6 liked the part where they got Sandy ( more to do with her dog obsession)

My overall summary is it's a great remake of a classic. It was familiar without being boring. There were some surprise famous faces popping up which was good. The main characters were cast very well even Cameron Diaz as Miss Hanagan as she was brilliant in the original.
I would thoroughly reccomend it.
I would give it 5 out of 5 as would my dds.
It made both me and dd2 cry .

The cinema was lovely , very spacious and comfy seats. We were given water and popcorn and the staff on hand were all pleasant and helpful.

I would reccomend this to family and friends and have already done so , a great film to treat the family to at Christmas.

Thanks mumsnet

Should add cinema films with no trailers is a great bonus , no time for kids to get fidgety and bored waiting for the film to start !!

Here's my review!
Thanks to everyone who went along to a screening today - great to see everyone in Wimbledon

1. Who you attended the screening with - including ages of DC

Attended with my mate and our DDs who are both 11.

1. Your overall summary of the film

Loved it - a musical with a nod to the fact musicals are a bit odd when folks burst into song. A real feel good movie - with songs I knew and didn't know and great characters.

1. What was your DC's favourite part of the film? Who is their favourite character and why?

The girls loved the dog, Sandy and Annie.

1. Out of 5, how many stars would you give the film? How many would your DC give it? (5 is highest and 1 is lowest)

Got to be 5's all round. Made my mate weep a little (don't tell anyone)

1. What was your overall experience of the screening?

Ace!

1. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Annie to friends and family? Why?

Oh yes definitely. It's one of those big american movies we all love. A classic updated for the present day.

Well clearly in the minority here! The organisation was great and the overall experience especially the popcorn. Dd has gone to find the original Annie to recover. From the experience and the rest of us we're chatting about why it didn't work for us in the car home. The songs just weren't very catchy and we felt 'little Girls' was ruined ! It was too long with no really dramatic points or fab characters. Sorry!
Probably a no, wouldn't reccomend it.

1. Who you attended the screening with - including ages of DC

I attended with 2 girls, my 9 year old dd and her 10 year old friend!

1. Your overall summary of the film

I thought the film was great, it was a modern adaptation and it worked. There are parts in the old Annie that really irritated me and this film seems to cut them out and fill with more captivating parts. It was very touching and i am not ashamed to admit a tear rolled down at the end, but i do cry at everything!! My girls were giggling throughout and didnt get bored as kids normally do at the end. Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz were brilliant and the up to date songs are brilliant whilst still keeping the familiarity.

1. What was your DC's favourite part of the film? Who is their favourite character and why?

My daughter loved when Annie first went to live with Will and discovered the amazingness of his penthouse!!
Her favourite character was Mrs Hannigan played by the very funny Cameron Diaz because 'she was hilarious'!

1. Out of 5, how many stars would you give the film? How many would your DC give it? (5 is highest and 1 is lowest)

We both said we would give it 4 stars!

1. What was your overall experience of the screening?

It was brilliant, nice touch with the free water and popcorn and lovely to have no trailers!! Great way to spend a Sunday morning on the cheap!

1. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Annie to friends and family? Why?

I would recommend to my friends and family with girls as its a great girlie film. Everybody loves the original but this is a great remake with a twist!

I've just realised we failed to take any photos, but we were a bit harassed after rushing to get there (9.30 on a Sunday FFS!!) and then having to wait outside the cinema for so long and then both kids needed a wee before taking our seats - but I didn't notice any of the big cardboard cut outs that everyone has posted photos of anyway. Hope this doesn't discount us from the prize draw?!

1. Who you attended the screening with - including ages of DC

I attended the screening with my DD aged 12

1. Your overall summary of the film

I thought it was a family friendly film with lots of familiar songs with a modern twist, a good storyline and convincing acting.

1. What was your DC's favourite part of the film? Who is their favourite character and why?

She loved it when Annie cooked dinner and they both disliked it and spat it out and then tried it again. She thought Annie was great because she was a great singer and made her laugh.

1. Out of 5, how many stars would you give the film? How many would your DC give it? (5 is highest and 1 is lowest)

I would give the film 5 stars. I loved it.
My DD would give it 4 1/2 stars

1. What was your overall experience of the screening?

I went to Bath. I agree we were let in a little late but we then collected our popcorn and water and 'checked in' and then selected our own seats. Very smooth.

1. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Annie to friends and family? Why?

We would recommend Annie to friends and family. We thoroughly enjoyed the film with familiar songs to hum along to and other newly added songs. We laughed, we cried and thought that the cast were well chosen. A great couple of hours spent with my DD. Also Jamie Foxx was good viewing for us mums!

Attended Manchester with my DD(10).

Really organised and friendly reception at the cinema, handed popcorn and water as we arrived. We also loved the lack of trailers.

DDs favourite part was "all of it". Her favourite character - "everyone". I particularly loved Diaz as Miss Hannigan - especially when they were in the helicopter and she had her hungover head pressed against the glass. ("I really hope we find Annie soon.......")

Already recommended it to the waitress in Pizza Hut afterwards and will prob recommend to others if it comes up.

To sum up, It's not the original - it's not trying to be. It's far more modern, and will appeal to today's kids because of it. Happy ever afters all round - a great family film.

Oops. 5 Stars!!

Just like to say thanks for letting us have the chance to see the film. Despite initial reservations from those of us that have seen the original, it was a mahoosive hit!

1. Who you attended the screening with - including ages of DC

I took my 6 yo DD along with my friend and her 7 yo DD.

2. Your overall summary of the film

Fantastic. It was Annie brought into the 21st century. So pleased they kept the original songs in it. Cameron Diaz was great as the horrid Miss Hennigan. Children acted and sang well without being too cheesy. The nod to the original was genius.

3. What was your DC's favourite part of the film? Who is their favourite character and why?

Both girls loved Annie (of course). My DD loved the songs and the dancing. My friend's DD also loved the singing. I think as young girls they could relate to Annie (not through experience of course).

4. Out of 5, how many stars would you give the film? How many would your DC give it? (5 is highest and 1 is lowest)

Out of 5 I would give it 5. Same for my DD, my friend and her DD. Great film.

5. What was your overall experience of the screening?

Overall it was very good but I've been to MN screenings before and felt a tiny weeny bit let down....without sounding ungrateful, at previous showings (cloudy with a chance of meatballs, despicable me 2), there's been loads going on beforehand in the foyer. There was nothing at all for this screening. Big shame as my DD did mention it.

6. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Annie to friends and family? Why?

Definitely recommend it. Great film for families to see together. It's funny, sad, happy and of course, a happy ending.

1. Me and my husband and our 3 children...DS aged 7, DD aged 3 and DD aged 10 weeks!

1. I am a HUGE fan of the original, and if I'm honest, wasn't expecting too much from this morning. I was very surprised to come out of the cinema beaming and having loved this adaptation! The story was brought into the 21st century, but still held onto the original principles. The songs were recognisable, but with a more modern feel to them.

1. My DS loved the part where Mr Stacks was feeding the homeless and spat the mashed potato out of his mouth! My daughter loved when Annie put on her pretty red dress. The children both loved the main characters of Annie and Mr Stacks and the relationship they had...particularly when they had breakfast together!

1. 5 from me and 5 from the children!

5.We went to Wimbledon. There was no directions where to go. We had to queue at the ticket office and were then told to join a different queue. The title above the door of the screen stated 'Paddington' so still unsure where we had to go. Also, nobody checked our tickets.
The actual cinema was very comfy and spacious, I was able to leave my baby in her pram and still have her next to me. The popcorn and water was all ready when we got in there.

6Yes, yes, yes! If, like me, you loved the original, and we all watched it and loved it, then you have to see the new version and fall in love with the story all over again!

I saw Annie with my 2 boys at Wimbledon today. Overall, film went down really well. It is not the type of film I would normally take them to but they both enjoyed it so this is definitely making me rethink/ be more open minded about cinema choices (in fact my older son aged 8 has just asked to buy the dvd when it comes out !).

Great cast and the film was very well acted by the well known actors as well as the child actors. I loved Cameron Diaz as Miss Hannigan especially. The kids did not find anyone particular they could relate too and didn't pick out any favourite characters but enjoyed the story, the music and the funny bits. There were slapstick comedy bits and also some (surprisingly) more humorous moments clearly aimed at adults.

It was really well filmed and very visually appealing with lots of great shots of NYC. They did a good job of updating the story and making it relevant to today.

Great day out, loved the popcorn and nice comfy sits, thanks MN.

1. I went with DS age 11
2. It was brilliant, we really enjoyed it. Neither of us have seen the original, but thought this was really modern and fun.
3. Favourite bit was Hardknock life routine when the girls were cleaning the apartment, favourite character was Will Stacks - DS says because he was funny, I thought he was very well acted by Jamie Foxx. The songs were really good too.
4. DS says 4.5, I would same the same, it was very slightly overlong.
5. Great, we were there early and were lucky enough to get some Premier seats, so it was a treat.
6. Yes, would definitely recommend because it's a fun, uplifting and thought-provoking film.

1. Me and my husband and our 3 children...DS aged 7, DD aged 3 and DD aged 10 weeks!

1. I am a HUGE fan of the original, and if I'm honest, wasn't expecting too much from this morning. I was very surprised to come out of the cinema beaming and having loved this adaptation! The story was brought into the 21st century, but still held onto the original principles. The songs were recognisable, but with a more modern feel to them.

1. My DS loved the part where Mr Stacks was feeding the homeless and spat the mashed potato out of his mouth! My daughter loved when Annie put on her pretty red dress. The children both loved the main characters of Annie and Mr Stacks and the relationship they had...particularly when they had breakfast together!

1. 5 from me and 5 from the children!

5.We went to Wimbledon. There was no directions where to go. We had to queue at the ticket office and were then told to join a different queue. The title above the door of the screen stated 'Paddington' so still unsure where we had to go. Also, nobody checked our tickets.
The actual cinema was very comfy and spacious, I was able to leave my baby in her pram and still have her next to me. The popcorn and water was all ready when we got in there.

6Yes, yes, yes! If, like me, you loved the original, and we all watched it and loved it, then you have to see the new version and fall in love with the story all over again!

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