'13 Going on 30'
Growing pains

'I WANNA BE 30, flirty, and thriving," 13-year-old cool-kid wannabe Jenna Rink sobs to herself after her birthday bash is ruined by Tom-Tom, the most popular (and meanest) girl in her class. Thanks to some magical wishing dust inadvertently supplied by Jenna's dorky best friend, Matt, the Rick Springfield-loving teen is transformed into a full-grown, Manhattan-dwelling magazine editor, complete with a wardrobe Carrie Bradshaw would envy. Tadpole director Gary Winick's 13 Going on 30 owes a lot to a certain Tom Hanks comedy, though in this telling, kid-adult Jenna (Jennifer Garner) time travels as well, fast-forwarding through her own life from 1987 to 2004. Since she has no memory of those intervening years, Jenna's horrified to realize her 30-year-old self has a reputation as a scorching bitch who terrifies her employees, ignores her family, and – most heartbreakingly – has turned her back on once-devoted Matt (Mark Ruffalo). An amusing (if predictable) script and an able supporting cast – especially Judy Greer, perfectly conniving as 30-year-old Tom-Tom, Andy Serkis (Gollum!) as Jenna's nervous boss, and Ruffalo (OK, he's great in everything) – help elevate 13 Going on 30 above standard-issue romantic comedy. Fresh-faced Garner, who's best known for playing a superspy on Alias, proves highly likable as the game, goofy Jenna – whether she's downing Fruit Roll-Ups, earnestly quoting Pat Benatar, or winning over a pack of snooty clubgoers with her mastery of the "Thriller" dance. (Cheryl Eddy)