Quite often production companies remake classic films. They bring them to the present time, make them more relatable to the people of today. Usually, they do this quite well, however they always face the same problem: Remakes are hardly ever as good as, or better than, the original. Some classic films you just have to leave alone.
Annie, unfortunately, is one of those films and we've already had a remake thanks to Disney in 1999. Although it was great (Kathy Bates was brilliant), the film just didn’t match the standards set by the first. Production companies should have learnt from that and stopped there.
This 2014 modern day version of Annie is in no way terrible. It is filled with hilarious comic moments, usually caused by the constantly drunk Mrs Hannigan or clean freak Will Stacks. Quvenzhané Wallis (Annie) has an absolutely amazing singing voice, and you can also see why Jamie Foxx has been a solo artist and not just an actor.
Wallis portrays Annie fantastically. At times she is utterly adorable, other times she is full of sass and she can get angry or upset if she needs too. Jamie Foxx does well to transition from Stacks’ hardness at the start, to his loving and playful side in the second half of the film. Cameron Diaz (Hannigan) acts so realistically drunk that you would think that she actually is. The modern version of Maybe is actually a brilliant rendition and they cleverly regularly use the sounds of the city to create music. Plus, Opportunity, a song created just for this film, is beautifully sung by Wallis and you can’t help getting teary eyed.
The other songs that you always get in Annie productions (It’s a Hard Knock Life, Tomorrow, I Think I’m Gunna Like it Here, You’re Never Fully Dressed, Easy Street, Little Girls) are modernised in an awful way. Many of the lyrics have been changed, unnecessary effects have been added to Willis’ voice and you question Diaz’s ability to sing. As the film progresses it feels disjointed. There is a lack of flow from one event to the next and then suddenly out of nowhere something happens. There are some ridiculous moments where you sit and wonder: What on earth is going on? Is this really happening? That is such a coincidence! Guy (Bobby Cavendish) is an absolutely infuriating character and comes out with the most random and unrelated stuff that you just want to push him off of the Brooklyn Bridge and be done with it.
It’s all well and good having a few celebrity cameo roles, Jamie Foxx’s amazing dance moves and a few emotional, tear-jerking moments. But if the rest of the film isn’t up to standard, it entire production will fall flat.
This newer, modern version of Annie is tolerable, but it’s nowhere near up to scratch.