A modern update of the 1982 Annie. A loveable cast and all the usual singsongs. Excellent family film.

Being huge fans of the amazing TV series "Alias" starring Victor Garber, we were intrigued to see him in a completely different role in this film, and we weren't disappointed. Call me old-fashioned if you like, but there's something to be said for sitting down with your 2 year-old daughter to watch a good, clean family film and hear her sing every word of "Tomorrow".

She loves this film! There have been periods when she has wanted to watch it time after time after time. She has seen it so often she knows the words of "Tomorrow" and "Maybe" almost to perfection. She often asks, "Daddy, sing 'Together At Last' with me!" Our pillows have almost had the stuffing knocked out of them as she sings and acts out "Hard Knock Life"!

What about the film itself? Well, it may not have the big budget and big sets of the 1982 version, but that certainly doesn't take anything away from the enjoyment of the film.

Alicia Morton is superb in her debut role, being cuter and more adorable in the role than Aileen Quinn. Victor Garber was a delight to watch as Oliver Warbucks, proving himself to be one of the most versatile actors in Hollywood.

The one disappointing turn was from Kathy Bates who never really succeeded in getting across the selfishness and nastiness of the character that Carol Burnett succeeded portraying 17 years earlier.

I have to admit, though, that I missed the scene with FDR and Annie in the White House, with the President's screen-time reduced to a brief appearance at the end, just in time to expose the bad guys for who they really are.

The film has the feel of a stage musical, with confined sets, matte backgrounds and few "space-filling" extras. This actually makes the film feel even more comfortable with itself, taking the story back to its performance roots on Broadway. The new song "NYC" is infinitely better than the "Let's Go To The Movies" of 1982 (my daughter & I have our own version for bedtimes), and Andrea McArdle's cameo is incredibly dynamic.

The ending is less scary than '82, but this makes it even more appealing to the young family audience.

This is a fun, cosy, heartwarming movie for all ages, and I defy anyone to watch it and not have the tunes in their head for days after. So curl up with the kids and a bucket of popcorn and enjoy the thrill of a Broadway musical in the comfort of your living-room.