 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Annie
- Review Date: June 9, 2005
- PG
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 1982
Common Sense Media says
Tale of cute orphan is great for the whole family.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that there are some scenes of children being treated badly, and a scary sequence at the end in which Annie is in great danger. The overall message, however, is positive and loving.
What's the story?
In this film version of the Broadway musical about the parentless Depression-era moppet, spunky red-haired Annie (Aileen Quinn) suffers indignities from tough orphanage supervisor Miss Hannigan (Carol Burnett). Ever hopeful Annie dreams of the day her parents arrive to retrieve her, often singing songs and dancing to the delight of the other orphan girls. Hoping to boost his approval rating with local voters, rich politician Oliver Warbucks (Albert Finney) takes Annie in for a week at his swanky Manhattan mansion. Annie wins her new caretakers over, but Miss Hannigan and her cronies Lily (Bernadette Peters) and Rooster (Tim Curry) see an opportunity to increase their cash flow.
Is it any good?
This film of the Broadway musical is uneven, but its charms take over by the end. The songs are a mixed bag -- "Dumb Dog" is just not all that good, but "It's the Hard Knock Life" is one you'll have stuck in your head for days, and by the time Annie sings "Tomorrow" to President Roosevelt, you'll be singing it along with her.
Some of the performances are outstanding, particularly Carol Burnett as the drunken Miss Hannigan. In the role of Annie, Aileen Quinn is a fine singer but a bit wooden as an actress. But the orphan girls are adorable, and Albert Finney is wonderfully brusque but really an old softy as Daddy Warbucks.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the Depression, and even Roosevelt and the New Deal. And of course the catchy tunes lend themselves to a singalong.
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AGE
Not as Represented in the Common Sense Media Review
I was disappointed with the Common Sense Media review - usually the "CSM" reviews are "spot-on" in terms of advising parents of the issues in the movie - so that we as parents can make the best decision regarding appropriateness. Therefore, I too, was shocked that the Common Sense review stated "not an issue' for sexual content and language. Carol Burnett's character is too much when she keeps trying to come on to Daddy Warbucks and other male characters, taking clothes off, shimmying her bosom, grinding and thrusting her hips, not to mention the come-on language. The above behavior would be funny in an adult movie or on the stage - but not OK when I was expecting no sexual content. Also, the review should be amended about language - usually CSM is very accurate, but to state, "not an issue," and then have to hear several prominent "gd's" is just not an accurate representation, and a breach of trust. I never felt I needed to look at parental reviews before. Now, I wish I had, since the parental reviews were far more accurate than the CSM review. Had I read them, I would not have allowed my 6 & 8 y/o daughters to watch this movie without previewing it first, so as to find where to skip a scene or two.
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AGE
A cute musical
My 2 year old loves this movie...mostly for the singing. She asks to watch it every day. Yes, she sees that Annie is in danger, but she also sees that she gets rescued and has a parent that loves her. A lot of stuff in the movie goes way over her head (bathtub gin for example!) so I don't worry about her watching this. Plus, I watched it as a little kid and didn't become a boozing drug addict with a penchant for hurting little kids. I think the overall positive message about keeping your head up through the bad times is worth it.
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AGE
The language in ANNIE is awful and unnecessary
I am so ticked that I let my two little girls watch this movie that to the naked eye is adorable. But after really taking a look and listening to the unnecessary foul language I am regretful. Not only does Daddy Warbucks spout of a couple of curse words, Rooster and Mrs. Hannigan take the Lord's name in vain and shout out a couple of GD's at the end. It is like the director just lured us into loving the characters and the movie and then, bam! they shocked parents like me and they just laugh and think it is so funny.
I know that most Americans don't think of saying gd is bad, but I was sad to hear it in such a cute movie.
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AGE
Watch the language with younger children!!
I showed this in a school age summer program and, although it was rated PG, the word D**n was used at least 3 times that my kids caught. Thats why I say age 8.
It does have some scary moments involving Ms. Hannigan and Rooster, and mistreatment of kids at the orphanage, but i think most kids over age 6 or 7 would be able to handle it.
It was a good movie to talk about musicals and different mediums for story telling.
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AGE
It is a great movie. They say a bad word and there is drinking and it's scary. It can get a little boring for kids at some parts. My musical theater group is singing and dancing to some of the songs.
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AGE
great for adults and teens 16 and up
this is my favorite all time musical i still like it carroll burnett and tim curry are hilarious and the songs are worth listening to
pros
acting is great
costumes are great for the great depression era
singing and dancing are great
the settings are nice
cons
the language like gd
the constant drinking and smoking
annie nearly being killed off the bridge
orphans being abused
sexual humor and content
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AGE
Go Away Annie!!!!!!
The movie was so pointless and dumb. Why do people even like this movie?. Everything about this movie was just very horrible, I think this movie is recomend for adults who watch PG all the time LOL.
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I was surprised
I never saw this movie as a child and thought my children would enjoy it. I was rather surprised by the sexual situations and language. I liked the movie overall but my 7 and 4 year old children had a lot of questions. They did love this movie but I just thought it was not age approriate.
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AGE
Ehh 1999 version is better
I don't want to be harsh so I'll just say the only good thing about this movie is Carol Burnett.
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Surprised by ratings
I enjoyed the movie for adults. But was dissappointed in the movie for a family and the ratings shown here! There is way too much racey behavior from Carol Burnett, sex, drinkinh and then at the end the word "GD" this is the most offensive word out there nad no notaion from Common Sense? So not a movie for family night.
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| Topics: | great girl role models, music and sing-along |
| Studio: | Columbia Tristar |
| Director: | John Huston |
| Cast: | Aileen Quinn, Albert Finney, Carol Burnett |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 127 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | June 9, 1982 |
| DVD release date: | August 1, 2004 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | peril |
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